Microsoft’s October 10, 2023 cumulative update for Windows 11—delivered as KB5031354 (OS Build 22621.2428)—serves a dual role: it ships critical security fixes while acting as the vehicle for a portion of the company’s so‑called “Moment 4” feature drop, bringing visible changes to core inbox apps, File Explorer, accessibility tools and device controls. The release combines under‑the‑hood hardening with user‑facing improvements, but it also sparked compatibility complaints from some hardware vendors and end users, underlining the tradeoffs of mixing security rollups with feature staging. (support.microsoft.com) (pureinfotech.com)
Source: www .oiv .int. International Organisation of Vine and Wine
Background
What is a Moment update and why KB5031354 matters
Microsoft’s “Moment” updates (feature drops between feature updates) are aimed at delivering smaller, incremental features and app upgrades without waiting for the major biannual releases. Moment 4 was the fourth such delivery in the Windows 11 lifecycle and Microsoft used October 2023’s Patch Tuesday (KB5031354) to include both security corrections and elements from that roll‑out. Unlike an optional feature update, KB5031354 was released as the monthly cumulative update for Windows 11 version 22H2 and includes security content plus several quality and feature improvements that had been previewed earlier. (support.microsoft.com) (thurrott.com)Release specifics you should know
- Release date: October 10, 2023.
- Affected platform: Windows 11, version 22H2 (all editions).
- OS build after install: 22621.2428.
- Type: Monthly cumulative update with security fixes and servicing stack improvements.
Microsoft’s support bulletin lists servicing stack updates (SSU) as part of KB5031354 to make the update pipeline more robust and details several registry keys and configuration protections introduced to harden HTTP/2 handling. (support.microsoft.com)
What’s new in KB5031354 and Moment 4
Headline features (user‑facing)
This update introduced or accelerated the rollout of the following user‑visible capabilities across core experiences:- Windows Copilot preview integrations and UI readiness that continued Microsoft’s phased Copilot rollout.
- File Explorer overhaul: a modernized explorer experience with refreshed visuals, a Gallery view and native read/extract support for additional archive types (RAR, 7z, TAR, GZ) by leveraging established open libraries.
- Updated inbox apps: refreshed Paint (with background removal and layer-like tools), Photos (AI background blur and OneDrive image search), Snipping Tool (OCR + text redaction + audio capture for interactive screenshots), Clipchamp (auto‑compose suggestions), and a new Outlook client update pipeline.
- Dynamic Lighting: native control for RGB/lighting devices that implement the open HID LampArray standard, surfaced in Settings under Personalization.
- Taskbar label option restored: a user setting to show labels alongside taskbar icons (for those who prefer the classic taskbar look).
- Quick Settings volume mixer: per‑app volume sliders surfaced directly in Quick Settings along with Output device and Spatial sound controls.
- Accessibility enhancements: fresh text authoring experiences for Voice Access, additional Narrator natural voices and a Narrator shortcut (Narrator key + Ctrl + X) to copy recently spoken text.
Multiple independent writeups and Moment 4 summaries document these items and show how Microsoft bundled them across app updates and optional feature channels. (pureinfotech.com, makeuseof.com, askvg.com)
Under the hood: security and servicing changes
KB5031354 is not purely cosmetic. Important technical details in the bulletin include:- HTTP/2 connection hardening with two registry values administrators can set to mitigate excessive stream resets (defaults and valid ranges are documented in the bulletin). These allow fine‑grained control over the number of RST_STREAM frames tolerated per minute and whether to send GOAWAY messages when thresholds are reached.
- A servicing stack update to improve the reliability of the Windows Update install engine.
- Multiple security fixes tied to October’s security round, requiring organizations to treat KB5031354 like any other monthly security patch. The security content combined with functional changes means testing is warranted before wide deployment. (support.microsoft.com)
Community and early adopter signals
Positive reception
Many reviewers and Windows enthusiasts welcomed Moment 4’s small but practical changes: native archive support in File Explorer, more capable inbox apps and the return of useful taskbar labels were consistently highlighted as wins for productivity and accessibility. Coverage across independent outlets emphasized that these additions bring convenience without forcing a full major upgrade cycle. (makeuseof.com, pureinfotech.com)Compatibility and breakage reports
Despite the improvements, a non‑trivial volume of user reports surfaced soon after deployment:- Some AMD users reported GPU profile resets on boot after the update, losing custom overclock or fan‑curve profiles until driver updates or workarounds were applied.
- Reports of touchpad failures emerged for certain laptop models after applying KB5031354, with users posting device‑specific troubleshooting threads.
- Gamers reported crashes or instability in titles like Modern Warfare 2 in combination with some driver combinations following the update.
- Microsoft itself documented two notable known issues: an MDM/Intune reporting anomaly for certain BitLocker CSP policy settings (a reporting error that does not change encryption state) and icon alignment/desktop icon movement for some multi‑monitor setups when Copilot (preview) was invoked on affected devices. The latter has been addressed server‑side in subsequent servicing and patched releases. (berrall.com, reddit.com, support.microsoft.com)
Technical verification and precise details
OS build and registry tuning knobs
Microsoft’s support page for KB5031354 lists the OS build and includes explicit guidance for two new registry DWORD values that administrators can create under HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\HTTP\Parameters to limit HTTP/2 reset behavior:- Http2MaxClientResetsPerMinute — default 400 (range 0–65535).
- Http2MaxClientResetsGoaway — default 1 (range 0–1).
Setting Http2MaxClientResetsGoaway to 0 disables GOAWAY messaging and causes the connection to be ended at the limit instead. These are deliberate knobs intended to let operators tune behavior for high‑traffic edge cases. Administrators should test any registry change in lab environments before applying it to production machines. (support.microsoft.com)
Servicing Stack and update sequencing
The update includes a servicing stack update (SSU). SSUs are meant to ensure future cumulative updates can apply cleanly; they are typically small but important. When deploying to large estates, apply SSUs and SSU‑dependent updates according to Microsoft’s recommended sequencing to avoid partial installs or update failures. The October bulletin explicitly notes the inclusion of servicing stack quality improvements. (support.microsoft.com)Deployment guidance — practical steps for home users and IT teams
For home users and enthusiasts
- Back up critical data or create a system restore point before applying major cumulative updates.
- Check Windows Update for availability; the monthly security update is typically offered automatically. If you rely on third‑party drivers (especially GPU drivers), update vendor drivers first where possible.
- If you’re opportunistic about features, remember some Moment experiences were gated behind the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle — toggling that on will make optional feature packages install sooner. If stability is more important, leave the toggle off and take the monthly security patches only. (thurrott.com)
For IT admins and organizations
- Validate KB5031354 in a test ring that mirrors production hardware, with special attention to devices using vendor‑supplied drivers for graphics, audio and input.
- Monitor the company’s device management reporting for BitLocker CSP reporting anomalies (Microsoft noted this reporting issue in the bulletin). Apply KB5034204 when it becomes available if impacted. (support.microsoft.com)
- Use staged rollouts (pilot → broad deployment) and keep an eye on vendor advisories from AMD, Intel and OEMs for curated driver updates or known incompatibilities. Community threads at the time documented driver‑specific regressions that were later addressed via driver updates. (berrall.com, reddit.com)
Troubleshooting frequently reported problems
- Symptom: Touchpad stops working after installing KB5031354.
Steps: Install the latest OEM touchpad driver, try uninstalling and reinstalling the device in Device Manager, verify BIOS touchpad settings, and use System Restore if the issue appeared immediately after the update. Community reports show hardware‑specific variability; consult your laptop vendor’s support site for model‑specific driver packages. (reddit.com, berrall.com) - Symptom: Games crash or experience instability.
Steps: Update GPU drivers (AMD/NVIDIA), temporarily rollback the Windows update if no driver fixes are available, and check for overlays or third‑party utilities that hook rendering pipelines. Gamers affected by these regressions reported relief after driver updates or hotfixes from vendors. (berrall.com) - Symptom: Desktop icons move between monitors when Copilot is invoked.
Notes: This was a documented known issue for some multi‑monitor setups when Copilot in Windows (preview) was opened. The issue was addressed on the service side in subsequent updates and rollouts; updating to the post‑January 2024 servicing line eliminated the symptom for many users. (support.microsoft.com) - If an update must be removed: Use Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, or boot into recovery for offline repair. For enterprise rollback, use WSUS/Intune feature update policies or the Microsoft Update Catalog to apply specific versions. (thurrott.com)
Critical analysis — strengths, weaknesses and risk profile
Strengths
- Meaningful inbox app improvements: The updates to Paint, Photos and Snipping Tool add AI‑driven convenience features (background removal, OCR, audio capture) that reduce reliance on third‑party tools. These are practical upgrades for everyday users and creators. (pureinfotech.com, askvg.com)
- Native archive support reduces friction: Adding RAR/7z/TAR read support to File Explorer simplifies basic archive extraction workflows without having to install third‑party extractors. (pureinfotech.com)
- Accessibility and privacy choices: New Narrator voices and Voice Access improvements enhance inclusivity; registry and policy knobs for network behavior give administrators control over aggressive HTTP/2 stream resets. (support.microsoft.com, makeuseof.com)
Weaknesses and risks
- Mixing security patches with feature changes increases risk: KB5031354 bundled security fixes with feature payloads and app upgrades. While this practice speeds feature delivery, it also increases the blast radius of each monthly roll — meaning a single update can simultaneously expose unexpected driver incompatibilities or regressions. The post‑update reports about AMD profile resets and touchpad failures demonstrate the practical downside. (berrall.com, reddit.com)
- Phased rollouts and gating create inconsistent experience: Some features were behind the optional update toggle or staged rollout, producing fragmentation where some users saw Copilot and new features while identical devices did not. That inconsistency complicates support and can make troubleshooting harder. (thurrott.com)
- Third‑party driver ecosystem fragility: OEM and third‑party drivers (especially graphics and audio stacks) remain the most common source of regressions after cumulative updates. Organizations with specialized hardware should coordinate update schedules with vendors. Community threads archived in technical forums show the recurring pattern.
Special note about the link the original prompt referenced
A registration form URL from a non‑Microsoft domain (the user‑supplied oiv.int webform URL) was included with the request. That URL is not hosted on Microsoft domains and does not match Microsoft’s official support or update catalog pages; treat any third‑party or unfamiliar registration form with caution. For authoritative release notes, registry guidance and official known‑issue workarounds, rely on Microsoft’s support pages, the Microsoft Update Catalog, and reputable Windows news outlets. If an external link claims to host update packages or critical instructions, verify its provenance before clicking or entering credentials. (support.microsoft.com, thurrott.com)Bottom line and recommendations
- KB5031354 (OS Build 22621.2428) delivered important October 2023 security patches and accelerated several Moment 4 features into Windows 11. The mix of app upgrades, UI tweaks and platform hardening reflects Microsoft’s incremental update strategy for Windows 11. (support.microsoft.com, pureinfotech.com)
- Treat KB5031354 like any other security rollup: test in a controlled ring, check vendor driver advisories, and stage the roll‑out. If you depend on third‑party drivers or run critical workloads, pause broad deployment until verification in pilot groups. (berrall.com, thurrott.com)
- If you experienced device‑specific issues after installing KB5031354, first update OEM drivers, then revert the update only if necessary, and consult vendor support channels for targeted fixes. Community forums and Microsoft’s release health dashboard recorded and tracked the common regressions and subsequent fixes. (reddit.com, support.microsoft.com)
Source: www .oiv .int. International Organisation of Vine and Wine
