Microsoft is kicking off 2025 with a fresh non-security preview update, and this time, all eyes are on Windows 11 version 24H2 users. The KB5050094 update (build 26100.3037) is here, carrying with it not only crucial fixes but also several quality-of-life improvements to streamline your workflows and enhance productivity. Let's dive in and dissect what Microsoft has packed into this release.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to note that this is a preview update, meaning it is released ahead of the formal Patch Tuesday cycle. The rollout is gradual, so don't panic if you don’t see it immediately in Windows Update.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the prominent new additions and fixes:
Keep an eye on the Windows release dashboard or tune back here at WindowsForum.com for in-depth updates, discussions, and community insights.
Want to sound off about the changes? Jump into the forum thread and let us know how these features/fixes improve or hinder your Windows 11 adventures!
Source: Microsoft Announcements January 28, 2025—KB5050094 (OS Build 26100.3037) Preview - Microsoft Support
Key Highlights of the Update
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to note that this is a preview update, meaning it is released ahead of the formal Patch Tuesday cycle. The rollout is gradual, so don't panic if you don’t see it immediately in Windows Update.Here’s a quick breakdown of the prominent new additions and fixes:
Taskbar Improvements
- Enhanced Taskbar Previews: When you hover over an app on the taskbar, you’ll notice slicker and smoother animations for the preview thumbnails. These previews are both faster and visually refined for multitaskers darting between apps.
- Refined taskbar response delivers a more polished experience.
Windows Studio Effects – A Smarter System Tray
- If you use a device with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), you’ll love this feature. Windows now displays a system tray icon whenever Windows Studio Effects (like background blur, eye contact correction, or automatic framing) is in use. Hover over this icon for tooltips to identify which app is actively using your camera or mic, and click it to modify settings in Quick Settings. It’s like giving transparency to your device’s AI magic.
(Don’t have an NPU? No worries—the feature is hardware-dependent, so you might not see this upgrade.)
Expanded Font Options
- A new Simsun-ExtG font has been added for Simplified Chinese users. This font includes extended Unicode character support for G, H, and I ranges and even supports the infamous "Biangbiang" character (a particularly complex noodle-related ideograph). While awesome for users handling Chinese text, some apps and systems may lag behind in supporting these extended characters.
File Explorer Takes a Big Leap Forward
The beloved—and often criticized—File Explorer receives a batch of upgrades:- “New Folder” Command in the Left Panel Context Menu: Now, right-clicking the left navigation pane directly gives you the option to create a new folder. Simple yet efficient.
- Bug Fixes:
- Resolved repetitive search behavior.
- Corrected automatic date and time updates during file copying.
- Fixed icon refresh issues during theme changes.
- Improved focus behavior for the search box to avoid lost input tracking.
Fixes That Tackle Longtime Annoyances
Microsoft has been busy squashing bugs across the board. Here’s a list of improvements that caught our attention:Settings and Accessibility
- You can now change your time zone in Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time, without needing admin privileges. Finally, time travelers can tweak their settings freely!
Mouse Fixes
- Vanishing Cursor!? No more. The infamous bug where your cursor disappeared when hovering over text fields in certain applications has been patched.
- Pointer trail issues have been corrected—goodbye to trailing black boxes behind cursors!
- The cursor stuttering problem during low-resource usage has also been addressed.
Pinyin Input Method Editor (IME) Fixes
- The IME now retains the correct language setting when toggling between apps. Switching between Chinese and English no longer becomes an unintended adventure.
Snipping Tool and Multi-Monitor Setups
- If you’ve been haunted by distorted screenshots while gaming on multi-monitor setups with different display scaling (hint: this is a niche but persistent problem), you’ll be glad to know it’s resolved.
For Gamers and A/V Enthusiasts
Auto HDR Saturation Fix
- Gamers using Auto HDR will notice better color calibration as Microsoft tackled the oversaturation issue that made some games look like a lurid acid trip.
DAC Audio Driver Issues Resolved
- USB audio accessories using older DAC drivers based on USB 1.0 will now resist hiccups that previously caused sound playback to fail. Code 10 error messages like “The device cannot start” when connecting certain external audio management devices are also fixed.
Tweaks for IT Admins & Power Users
Updates like these often dish out benefits for enterprise users and system admins. Here are some notable backend refinements:- BYOVD Blocklist: The Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist (DriverSiPolicy.p7b) grows stronger, adding more drivers susceptible to "Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD)" exploits. Microsoft is shoring up defenses here to tackle privilege escalation and ransomware vectors proactively.
- Remote Desktop Gateway Improvements: Errors preventing device redirection enforcement during remote connections are now addressed, ensuring smoother logins.
- Memory Leaks When Employing Predictive Input: Fixed—liberating valuable system resources.
Known Glitches to Watch Out For
With every win, there might be some collateral damage. Here are the two big warning flags with workarounds:- Roblox Fails on ARM Devices:
- Due to compatibility issues, downloading Roblox from the Microsoft Store on ARM-based Windows devices is temporarily broken. The workaround? Grab the game directly from the Roblox website.
- OpenSSH Service Woes:
- Some users report that OpenSSH (sshd.exe) fails post-October 2024 security patches. Temporarily, updating folder permissions for affected directories can restore functionality, but Microsoft promises a future hotfix.
How to Get The Update
To snag this update (if available), follow these steps:- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Under Optional Updates, you’ll find the link for KB5050094.
- Confirm and let Windows do its thing. (Note: Updates are cumulative, so skipping earlier ones isn’t an issue.)
- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog, download the MSU package, and use the DISM.exe command-line tool to add it to your system.
What’s Coming Next?
Microsoft has made it clear they’re rapidly iterating on quality-of-life features for Windows 11 while doubling down on security compliance. This preview update reflects their intent to polish the operating system and get ahead of known issues before the next big feature release. With gradual rollouts, don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive it today—patience is a virtue!Keep an eye on the Windows release dashboard or tune back here at WindowsForum.com for in-depth updates, discussions, and community insights.
Want to sound off about the changes? Jump into the forum thread and let us know how these features/fixes improve or hinder your Windows 11 adventures!
Source: Microsoft Announcements January 28, 2025—KB5050094 (OS Build 26100.3037) Preview - Microsoft Support
Last edited:
