Microsoft's April 22, 2025, release of KB5055629 introduces a suite of enhancements and fixes for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2, aiming to refine user experience and system performance.
File Explorer Enhancements
The update brings pivot-based curated views to File Explorer Home, facilitating easier access to Microsoft 365 content directly within the Windows environment. This feature is designed to boost productivity by presenting relevant documents and files prominently. Additionally, the performance of extracting zipped files has been improved, particularly benefiting scenarios involving a large number of small files. (support.microsoft.com)
Narrator's Speech Recap
A notable addition is the "speech recap" feature in Narrator, allowing users to review spoken content, follow live transcriptions, and copy the last spoken text using simple keyboard shortcuts. This enhancement aims to improve accessibility and user control over narrated content. (support.microsoft.com)
Phone Link Integration
The update expands Phone Link capabilities by integrating cross-device features directly into the Start menu. Users can now make phone calls, send SMS messages, access photos, and share content between their mobile devices and PCs more seamlessly. (support.microsoft.com)
Widgets and Desktop Icons
Web developers can now create interactive widgets that integrate with multiple widget surfaces, enhancing the customization and functionality of the Windows interface. For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), support for lock screen widgets has been introduced, allowing the addition, removal, and rearrangement of widgets like Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic. Furthermore, the logic for apps pinned to the desktop has been updated, ensuring that packaged apps no longer display an accent-colored backplate, resulting in clearer and more visually appealing icons. (support.microsoft.com)
Start Menu and Taskbar Fixes
The update addresses several issues:
- Resolved the inability to use touch gestures to view the list of apps pinned in the Start menu.
- Fixed the visibility issues of the "Sign out" and "More options" buttons in the Start menu account manager when text size is increased.
- Corrected the direction of arrow key navigation in the taskbar for Arabic and Hebrew display languages. (support.microsoft.com)
Users with Citrix Session Recording Agent (SRA) version 2411 may encounter installation failures with the January 2025 Windows security update. Citrix has addressed this issue in Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2503, released on April 28, 2025. Additionally, devices that installed the April Windows monthly security update (KB5055528) might face challenges updating to Windows 11 version 24H2 via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), with error code 0x80240069 and messages indicating unexpected service stoppages. Microsoft is investigating this issue and will provide updates as more information becomes available. (support.microsoft.com)
Installation Guidance
To install this update, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. In the "Optional updates available" section, you'll find the link to download and install the update. For detailed information on the files included in this update, refer to the file information for cumulative update 5055629. (support.microsoft.com)
This update underscores Microsoft's commitment to enhancing user experience and system functionality through continuous improvements and timely issue resolutions.
Source: Microsoft Support April 22, 2025—KB5055629 (OS Builds 22621.5262 and 22631.5262) Preview - Microsoft Support