Microsoft's April 22, 2025, release of the KB5055629 update for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2 introduces a suite of enhancements aimed at improving user experience and system functionality. This preview update, identified by OS Builds 22621.5262 and 22631.5262, is part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to refining Windows 11 through regular updates.
In summary, the KB5055629 update introduces significant enhancements to Windows 11, focusing on improving user experience, accessibility, and system performance. While it addresses several existing issues, users should be aware of the known issues, particularly concerning Citrix components, and consider the optional nature of this preview update when deciding to install it.
Source: Microsoft Support April 22, 2025—KB5055629 (OS Builds 22621.5262 and 22631.5262) Preview - Microsoft Support
Key Enhancements and Features
File Explorer Improvements
The update brings pivot-based curated views to File Explorer Home, facilitating easier access to Microsoft 365 content directly within Windows. This feature aims to boost productivity by presenting highly relevant content at users' fingertips. Additionally, the performance of extracting zipped files has been improved, particularly when unzipping a large number of small files, addressing a common user concern.Narrator's Speech Recap
A notable addition is the "Speech Recap" feature in Narrator, allowing users to track and access spoken content for quick reference. This includes live transcription and the ability to copy the last spoken text using simple keyboard shortcuts, enhancing accessibility and usability for users who rely on screen reading.Phone Link Integration
The update enhances the integration between Windows PCs and mobile devices through the Phone Link feature. Users can now make phone calls, send SMS messages, access photos, and share content between their mobile devices and PCs directly from the Start menu, streamlining cross-device interactions.Widgets and Lock Screen Enhancements
Web developers can now create interactive widgets that can be added to multiple widget surfaces, expanding the customization options available to users. For devices in the European Economic Area (EEA), support for lock screen widgets has been introduced, allowing users to add, remove, and rearrange widgets such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic. This feature enhances the personalization of the lock screen experience.Desktop Icons and Share Sheet
The logic for apps pinned to the desktop has been updated so that packaged apps no longer display an accent-colored backplate, resulting in larger and more visible icons. Additionally, the Share Sheet now supports last-minute edits, enabling users to crop, rotate, and add filters to images before sharing them, adding a layer of convenience to the sharing process.Addressed Issues
The update resolves several issues, including:- Start Menu: Fixed issues where touch gestures couldn't be used to view the list of pinned apps, and where the "Sign out" and "More options" buttons in the Start menu account manager were not visible with increased text size.
- Taskbar: Addressed an issue where, after pressing Windows key + T, the arrow keys moved in the wrong direction for Arabic and Hebrew display languages.
- Server Message Block (SMB): Fixed an issue where an Excel file hosted on an SMB file share with Access Based Enumeration enabled, containing links to multiple other files hosted on network shares, might take longer to open.
- USB Camera Sign-In: Resolved an issue affecting the USBxHCI controller and all devices connecting via USB ports on Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 200V Series Processors, where the built-in USB camera wouldn't work with Windows Hello sign-in unless Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) was manually disabled.
- Xbox Controllers: Addressed issues affecting Xbox Elite Wireless Controllers with certain firmware versions, where the keyboard might not function and displayed an error indicator in the device manager.
Known Issues
A known issue affects devices with certain Citrix components installed, particularly the Citrix Session Recording Agent (SRA) version 2411. Devices with this version might be unable to complete the installation of the January 2025 Windows security update, encountering errors during the restart process. Citrix has documented this issue and provided a workaround, with Microsoft collaborating to address the problem.Installation and Availability
The KB5055629 update is available through Windows Update as an optional update. Users can navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select the link to download and install the update under the "Optional updates available" section. As this is a preview update, it is optional and primarily intended for users who wish to test the latest features and improvements before they are rolled out more broadly in future updates.In summary, the KB5055629 update introduces significant enhancements to Windows 11, focusing on improving user experience, accessibility, and system performance. While it addresses several existing issues, users should be aware of the known issues, particularly concerning Citrix components, and consider the optional nature of this preview update when deciding to install it.
Source: Microsoft Support April 22, 2025—KB5055629 (OS Builds 22621.5262 and 22631.5262) Preview - Microsoft Support
