The March 2025 Windows non-security preview update for Windows 11, version 24H2 is here—and it’s packing plenty of new features, smart fixes, and performance tweaks that aim to enhance both everyday usability and advanced functionality on your PC. With this preview release (KB5053656, OS Build 26100.3624), Microsoft is testing a host of features across Copilot+ devices and more, giving enthusiasts and enterprise users alike a first look at what’s coming.
• Semantic search now works offline on devices with a 40+ TOPS NPU, enhancing performance even without an internet connection.
• Cloud integration is improved, so photos stored on OneDrive can be discovered alongside local files.
In short, the enhanced search capabilities simplify everyday tasks and streamline productivity with AI that “gets” you.
• Gamepad Keyboard Layout: For gamers and users who prefer or require controller-based input, the touch keyboard now features a gamepad layout with button accelerators (like map the X button to Backspace or Y to Space). This configuration makes controller navigation intuitive and efficient.
• System Tray Innovation: A new icon in the system tray boosts the discoverability of emoji panels as well as other dynamic panels, enriching the overall user experience.
• Adding support for real-time translation across more than 44 languages for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs.
• Bringing Chinese real-time translation to Snapdragon-driven devices, ensuring a broader global reach.
These enhancements are designed not only for accessibility but also for smoother communication across diverse linguistic communities.
• Lock Screen Widgets: Now available for devices in the European Economic Area (EEA), these widgets let you add, remove, and arrange small-sized content modules like Weather, Sports, or Traffic directly on your lock screen, keeping key information right at your fingertips.
• Windows Studio Effects: An icon that appears when an app supporting Studio Effects is active offers a quick link to control settings—an exclusive treat for devices with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU).
• Task Manager: CPU usage metrics are now calculated more consistently across Processes, Performance, and Users pages. An optional “CPU Utility” column is still available for users who prefer the previous method.
• Authentication and Installation Fixes: There have been fixes for issues like ctfmon.exe reliability, prolonged execution times in MSI file handling, and even Kerberos authentication scenarios involving RC4 encryption.
• Color Profile and Boot Menu: The update resolves problems with color profile display after sleep and prevents unnecessary boot menu entries after an update rollback.
• General Reliability: Several system crashes, notably the bugcheck (blue screen) with PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT upon resuming from sleep, have been addressed—improving overall system stability.
• Image Search v1.7.818.0
• Content Extraction v1.7.818.0
• Semantic Analysis v1.7.818.0
The update bundles these advancements with an essential servicing stack update (KB5054984, OS Build 26100.3616) to ensure a smooth, reliable update process. This combination of cumulative and servicing stack updates underscores Microsoft’s commitment to a robust update mechanism for aspiring Windows users.
• Users can access this update via Windows Update, Business Catalog, or through manual downloads from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• For enterprise environments, there’s detailed guidance on updating both running PCs and offline images using DISM in an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell.
• Notably, Microsoft promises that if you already installed previous updates, only the new components from this package will be downloaded and installed.
This clear set of install options ensures that whether you’re an IT administrator or a home user, you can easily navigate the update process.
• Roblox on Arm Devices: Players on Arm-based devices may encounter difficulties when downloading or playing Roblox via the Microsoft Store. The workaround? Download the game directly from the official Roblox website.
• Citrix Compatibility: Devices running Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2411 might face problems during the installation of the upcoming January 2025 security update. A documented workaround is available from Citrix—enterprise IT admins should review this guidance to avoid unexpected rollbacks.
These issues highlight the challenges of maintaining broad compatibility in a diverse ecosystem, but importantly, they are being actively addressed.
For early adopters and IT professionals, this update offers a rich testing ground to understand how new features and underlying improvements might affect everyday operations. Whether you’re excited by the prospect of natural language voice commands, intrigued by semantic search capabilities, or just looking forward to a more responsive PC, this update has something to offer.
Keep an eye on your Windows Update channels and stay tuned for further refinements as Microsoft continues its gradual rollout. This is Windows evolving in real time—a journey where each update brings us closer to a smarter computing experience.
Source: Unknown Source March 27, 2025— KB5053656 (OS Build 26100.3624) Preview - Microsoft Support
A Glimpse at the Future of Windows 11
Released on March 27, 2025, this update is being gradually rolled out, meaning you might not see it immediately. Still, the improved capabilities covered in this update suggest that Microsoft is sharpening its focus on both AI-driven enhancements and practical usability improvements. Here’s a look at what stands out:- A new semantic search experience powered by advanced indexing models that work offline on supported Copilot+ PCs.
- Enhanced media handling with live captions, offering real-time translation in over 44 languages (and Chinese translation on Snapdragon-powered devices).
- Innovations in input methods, such as an updated gamepad keyboard layout and natural language improvements for voice access.
- Several reliability fixes and performance improvements that refine everything from task management to display and file management.
Key New Features and Improvements
Enhanced Windows Search Powered by AI
Imagine searching your documents, photos, or system settings by simply typing what’s on your mind. The new Windows Search takes a giant leap forward by combining semantic indexing with traditional file indexing. This means you no longer have to recall the exact file name or setting. Whether you’re looking for “change my theme” in the Settings app or hunting for last summer’s vacation photos stored in the cloud, Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs makes it easier than ever.• Semantic search now works offline on devices with a 40+ TOPS NPU, enhancing performance even without an internet connection.
• Cloud integration is improved, so photos stored on OneDrive can be discovered alongside local files.
In short, the enhanced search capabilities simplify everyday tasks and streamline productivity with AI that “gets” you.
Input and Navigation Boosts
Navigators of Windows are getting some fresh upgrades:• Gamepad Keyboard Layout: For gamers and users who prefer or require controller-based input, the touch keyboard now features a gamepad layout with button accelerators (like map the X button to Backspace or Y to Space). This configuration makes controller navigation intuitive and efficient.
• System Tray Innovation: A new icon in the system tray boosts the discoverability of emoji panels as well as other dynamic panels, enriching the overall user experience.
Live Captions and Real-Time Translation
With video calls and streamed content becoming staples of digital communication, accessibility features have never been more important. This update makes significant improvements to live captions by:• Adding support for real-time translation across more than 44 languages for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs.
• Bringing Chinese real-time translation to Snapdragon-driven devices, ensuring a broader global reach.
These enhancements are designed not only for accessibility but also for smoother communication across diverse linguistic communities.
Advancements in Voice Access
Voice control in Windows just got more natural. The update introduces flexibility in voice commands—so you don’t have to adhere to rigid, predefined phrases. Now you can speak naturally, complete with filler words and synonyms, to navigate, dictate, and interact with Windows. Additionally, simplified and traditional Chinese support for voice access broadens the feature’s usability worldwide, making Windows a more inclusive environment.Visual and Widget Enhancements
User personalization continues to be a high priority:• Lock Screen Widgets: Now available for devices in the European Economic Area (EEA), these widgets let you add, remove, and arrange small-sized content modules like Weather, Sports, or Traffic directly on your lock screen, keeping key information right at your fingertips.
• Windows Studio Effects: An icon that appears when an app supporting Studio Effects is active offers a quick link to control settings—an exclusive treat for devices with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU).
Robust Fixes and Under-the-Hood Improvements
No update is complete without its share of bug fixes and refinements. This release tidies up several areas:• Task Manager: CPU usage metrics are now calculated more consistently across Processes, Performance, and Users pages. An optional “CPU Utility” column is still available for users who prefer the previous method.
• Authentication and Installation Fixes: There have been fixes for issues like ctfmon.exe reliability, prolonged execution times in MSI file handling, and even Kerberos authentication scenarios involving RC4 encryption.
• Color Profile and Boot Menu: The update resolves problems with color profile display after sleep and prevents unnecessary boot menu entries after an update rollback.
• General Reliability: Several system crashes, notably the bugcheck (blue screen) with PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT upon resuming from sleep, have been addressed—improving overall system stability.
AI Component Updates and Servicing Stack Transparency
Behind the scenes, Microsoft is fine-tuning the AI components that continue to transform the Windows experience. With updates to:• Image Search v1.7.818.0
• Content Extraction v1.7.818.0
• Semantic Analysis v1.7.818.0
The update bundles these advancements with an essential servicing stack update (KB5054984, OS Build 26100.3616) to ensure a smooth, reliable update process. This combination of cumulative and servicing stack updates underscores Microsoft’s commitment to a robust update mechanism for aspiring Windows users.
How to Get and Install the Update
For those eager to experiment with the latest features and fixes, the installation is straightforward:• Users can access this update via Windows Update, Business Catalog, or through manual downloads from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• For enterprise environments, there’s detailed guidance on updating both running PCs and offline images using DISM in an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell.
• Notably, Microsoft promises that if you already installed previous updates, only the new components from this package will be downloaded and installed.
This clear set of install options ensures that whether you’re an IT administrator or a home user, you can easily navigate the update process.
Known Issues and Workarounds
As with many preview updates, there are a few known issues:• Roblox on Arm Devices: Players on Arm-based devices may encounter difficulties when downloading or playing Roblox via the Microsoft Store. The workaround? Download the game directly from the official Roblox website.
• Citrix Compatibility: Devices running Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2411 might face problems during the installation of the upcoming January 2025 security update. A documented workaround is available from Citrix—enterprise IT admins should review this guidance to avoid unexpected rollbacks.
These issues highlight the challenges of maintaining broad compatibility in a diverse ecosystem, but importantly, they are being actively addressed.
Final Thoughts
This March 2025 non-security preview update is more than just an incremental patch—it’s a significant step towards a more intelligent, accessible, and efficient Windows 11. By embracing cutting-edge AI components, streamlined search functionality, and enhanced input and accessibility features, Microsoft is laying the groundwork for a future where PCs are more intuitive and user-friendly than ever.For early adopters and IT professionals, this update offers a rich testing ground to understand how new features and underlying improvements might affect everyday operations. Whether you’re excited by the prospect of natural language voice commands, intrigued by semantic search capabilities, or just looking forward to a more responsive PC, this update has something to offer.
Keep an eye on your Windows Update channels and stay tuned for further refinements as Microsoft continues its gradual rollout. This is Windows evolving in real time—a journey where each update brings us closer to a smarter computing experience.
Source: Unknown Source March 27, 2025— KB5053656 (OS Build 26100.3624) Preview - Microsoft Support
