Introduction
The February 2024 Windows non-security preview update, KB5034848, featuring OS Builds 22621.3235 and 22631.3235, is now available. This preview update offers a glimpse into the upcoming enhancements and changes scheduled for the Windows operating system.Windows 11 Version Updates
1. End Date Changes: Microsoft has revised the end dates for non-security updates for Windows 11, version 22H2. The new end date for specific editions like Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise multi-session editions is June 24, 2025. On the other hand, Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions will continue to receive non-security preview updates until June 26, 2024. Following these dates, only cumulative monthly security updates will be provided for the supported editions of Windows 11, version 22H2. This adjustment was made based on user feedback to enable more customers to benefit from ongoing innovations.2. Feature Updates:
- Name Change: The Phone Link settings page has been rebranded as Mobile devices, accessible through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices.
- Integration with Android: Users can now utilize the Snipping Tool on their PC to edit recent photos and screenshots captured on their Android device, with instant notifications displayed on the PC. To enable this feature, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices, choose Manage devices, and grant permission for PC access to the Android device.
- USB 80Gbps Support: The update introduces support for the USB 80Gbps standard, doubling the bandwidth of USB 40Gbps. Compatibility with a compatible PC and USB4 or Thunderbolt™ peripheral is required to utilize USB 80Gbps effectively.
- Game Installation Update: Games installed on a secondary drive will now remain installed on that drive.
- Bug Fixes:
- Addressed alignment issues with long-edge fed printers pertaining to stapling or hole punch locations.
- Fixed unresponsiveness in the Windows Settings Home page.
- Resolved a networking issue where a device failed to switch automatically from cellular to Wi-Fi.
- Fixed sleep mode issues when connecting an external device to the system.
- Adjusted the Windows Backup app availability based on region.
Improvements and Known Issues
The update delivers several quality improvements across versions 22H2 and 23H2 of Windows 11. Notable changes include fixes for Notepad, 8 Zip archives, CrashOnAuditFail registry value, Azure Virtual Desktop machines, and Microsoft Edge UI issues, among others. Furthermore, enhancements in troubleshooting processes and various application functionalities have been implemented.Users attempting to install the February 2024 non-security update may encounter issues during the process, resulting in the installation failure and rolling back to previous updates. This issue, marked by error code ‘0x800F0922’ in the Event Viewer, is addressed in KB5035853.
How to Obtain the Update
- For Windows Update or Microsoft Update: Visit Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update for installation.
- For Microsoft Update Catalog: Access the standalone update package on the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
- For Windows Server Update Services (WSUS): Manually import the update into WSUS.
- Removing LCU: Instructions for removing the LCU after installation are provided along with the necessary commands.
