Although KB5027231 which was last month’s (June 2023) Patch Tuesday update was the Moment 3 update, it did not enable the expected features by default. This is why the users needed to install the “Windows Configuration Update” package we had mentioned earlier. However, KB5027303 enables the Moment 3 features by default, and no additional steps or packages are required. After installing this update, the new features should be enabled, such as the option to show seconds in the system tray clock, the “Live kernel memory dump” option in the Settings app, and the Print Screen button. That said, installing this update today will upgrade your operating system’s build to 22621.1928. You can choose to install this update on your Windows 11 PC today using the direct download link shared below, or through Windows Update. Alternatively, the new features and improvements will automatically install in July 2023’s Patch Tuesday release.
KB5027303 Release Summary
KB Article: KB5027303 OS Version: Windows 11 version 22H2 Build: 22621.1928 Size: 299.7 MB Release Date: 27th June 2023
What’s New in KB5027303
There is a long list of new features and improvements in KB5027303. However, since it is a preview update, it does not include any security patches for the OS. Below is a list of new items in KB5027303:
This update expands the rollout of notification badging for Microsoft accounts on the Start menu. This update improves the sharing of a local file in File Explorer with Microsoft Outlook contacts. You now have the option to quickly email the file to yourself. This update adds live captions for the following languages. You can use the Windows Key + CTRL + L shortcut keys to enable or disable live captions: Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) French (France, Canada) German Italian Japanese Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal) Spanish Danish English (Ireland, other English dialects) Korean This update redesigns the in-app voice access command help page. This update adds voice access command support for the following English dialects: English (United Kingdom) English (India) English (New Zealand) English (Canada) English (Australia) This update adds new text selection and editing voice access commands. This update adds a VPN status icon, a small shield, to the system tray. You can now choose to display seconds in the clock on the system tray from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. This update provides a copy button for you to quickly copy two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. Note that this feature only works for English. This update adds access key shortcuts to File Explorer’s context menu. An access key is a one-keystroke shortcut. You can use it to quickly run a command in a context menu using your keyboard. Each access key corresponds to a letter in the display name of the menu item. To try this out, you can click on a file in File Explorer and press the menu key on your keyboard. This update adds multi-app kiosk mode, which is a lockdown feature. Some lockdown customizations include: Limit access to Settings, except certain pages, such as Wi-Fi and screen brightness Show only the apps that are allowed on the Start menu Block certain toasts and pop-ups windows This update introduces live kernel memory dump (LKD) collection from Task Manager. Using LKD, you can gather data to troubleshoot an issue while the OS continues to work. This reduces downtime when you must investigate an unresponsive program or high-impact failures. This update replaces the settings for “Show the touch keyboard when there’s no keyboard attached.” These are located at Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard. A new dropdown menu gives you three options to control whether tapping an edit control should open the touch keyboard. The options are: Never: This suppresses the touch keyboard even when no hardware keyboard is attached. When no keyboard attached: This shows the touch keyboard only when you use the device as a tablet without the hardware keyboard. Always: This shows the touch keyboard even when the hardware keyboard is attached. This update enables Content Adaptive Brightness Control (CABC) to run on laptops and 2-in-1 devices. This feature dims or brightens areas of a display based on the content. It tries to strike a balance between saving battery life and providing a good visual experience. You can adjust the feature setting from Settings > System > Display > Brightness & color. This update adds a “USB4 Hubs and Devices” Settings page. You can find it at Settings> Bluetooth & devices > USB > USB4 Hubs and Devices. This new page provides information about the system’s USB4 capabilities and the attached peripherals on a system that supports USB4. This information helps with troubleshooting when you need manufacturer or system administrator support. Some features include: You can view the tree of the connected USB4 hubs and devices. You can copy details to the clipboard to share them. If your system does not support USB4 with the Microsoft USB4 Connection Manager, this page will not appear. On systems that support USB4, you will see USB4 Host Router in Device Manager. This update adds a presence sensor privacy setting in Settings > Privacy & security > Presence sensing. If you have a device that has compatible presence sensors, you can now choose the apps that can access those sensors. You can also choose the apps that do not have access. This update improves the performance of search within Settings. This update changes the default print screen (prt scr) key behavior. Pressing the print screen key opens the Snipping Tool by default. You can turn off this setting from Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. This update introduces a limit of 20 most recent tabs in Settings > Multitasking. This affects the number of tabs that appear when you use ALT + TAB and Snap Assist. This update improves the cloud suggestion and the integrated search suggestion. This update improves your computer’s performance when you use a mouse that has a high report rate for gaming. This update addresses an issue that affects the on-screen keyboard. The issue stops it from opening after you lock the machine. This update addresses an issue that might affect your computer when you are playing a game. This update addresses an issue that affects certain apps. In some instances, video flickering occurs. This update addresses an issue that affects File Explorer (explorer.exe). It stops working. This update addresses an issue that affects some earbuds. They stop streaming music. This update addresses an issue that affects the Recommended section of the Start menu. When you right-click a local file, it does not behave as expected. This update adds many new features and improvements to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. With this update, you can now authenticate across Microsoft clouds. This update affects virtual memory ranges. They are now added to kernel-generated minidumps after a stop error. This update improves several simplified Chinese fonts and the Microsoft Pinyin Input Method Editor (IME). This update affects the reliability of Windows. It improves after you update the OS. This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Intune push notifications. The issue stops devices that have less than 3.5 GB of RAM from getting them. This update addresses an issue that affects certain apps. It stops working when it tries to scan a barcode. This update addresses an issue that affects Narrator. The issue stops Narrator from retaining your scan mode when you switch between browsers. This update addresses an issue that affects Narrator. It reads the wrong state when you cancel the selection of option button you have selected. This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Teams. The issue stops Teams from alerting you about missed calls or messages. This update addresses an issue that affects a scheduled monthly task. It might not run on time if the next occurrence happens when daylight savings time occurs. This update addresses an issue that affects certain applications that use IDBObjectStore. They do not work in Microsoft Edge and IE mode. This update addresses an issue that affects all the registry settings under the Policies paths. They might be deleted. This occurs when you do not rename the local temporary user policy file during Group Policy processing. This update gives user accounts the ability to open an elevated Windows Terminal. This only works if they use an admin account that has not signed in before. This update affects the Desktop Window Manager (DWM). It improves its reliability. This update addresses an issue that affects .msi files. A minor update is not installed. This update addresses an issue that affects msftconnecttext.net. It gets excessive HTTP traffic. This update addresses an issue that affects the Spooler service. It stops working. This issue occurs when you print using a certain workspace. This update addresses an issue that affects devices that use the Network Protector for BitLocker. The device will not resume after it has been suspended. This update addresses an issue that affects a tib.sys driver. It does not load. This occurs when HyperVisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI) is enabled. This update addresses an issue that affects TextInputHost.exe. It stops working. This update addresses an issue that affects Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 users. You might not see the right location for a Remote Desktop session in your virtual machine or Cloud PC. This update addresses an issue that affects HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders. This update affects Active Directory event ID 1644 processing. This update addresses an issue that affects those who enable the “Smart Card is Required for Interactive Logon” account option. This update addresses an issue that affects File Explorer. It might stop responding indefinitely. This occurs after you try to view the effective access permissions for files in File Explorer.
With these fixes and improvements, there are also some known issues with this update. Read about the issues with Windows 11 here: Windows 11 Known Issues and Fixes
Download and install Windows 11 KB5027303
This optional non-security update can be installed through Windows Update and standalone installers. We have given the direct download links to the standalone installers below, using which you can install the update on your respective Windows 11 version, or you can simply update to the latest build using Windows Update through the given guide below.
Offline Installers
Download KB5027303 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2 64-Bit [299.7 MB] Download KB5027303 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2 ARM64 [415.7 MB] To install the update, simply run the downloaded MSU file and Windows will automatically install the update. To download any other updates related to any of the above, please check the Microsoft Catalog.
Windows Update
To install this update via Windows Update, you need to be running Windows 11 version 22H2. To check your version of the operating system, type in winver in the Run Command box and press Enter. Once ensured you have the right OS version, perform the following steps to install KB5027303: Once the computer reboots, the update will be successfully installed. To confirm this, check the updated build number by typing in “winver” in the Run Command box. You will see the following update available under Optional quality update available:
Rollback/Remove Windows 11 Cumulative Update
If you do not wish to keep the installed update for some reason, you can always roll back to the previous build of the OS. However, this can only be performed within the next 10 days after installing the new update. To roll back after 10 days, you will need to apply this trick.
Cleanup After Installing Windows Updates
If you want to save space after installing Windows updates, you can run the following commands one after the other in Command Prompt with administrative privileges:
Block KB5027303 from installing
Although this is an optional update, which means that it won’t install without you manually pressing any buttons. However, you can completely block it from installing, both temporarily or permanently, using these steps: If you want to unhide or show hidden updates, run the tool again and select “Show hidden updates” instead of “Hide updates.” The rest of the process is the same. This automatically hides the update from Windows Update and it will not be installed during the next update process.
Final Analysis
KB5027303 is an optional, non-security update Microsoft has released to test the new features and improvements beforehand. Note that it may include some issues, as it is not the final product. However, after user feedback, some additional changes may or may not be made before releasing the following month’s Patch Tuesday update. KB5027303 does not patch any security vulnerabilities but is definitely worth installing. As mentioned above, it includes a plethora of new features, improvements, and fixes for the Windows 11 operating system. After having tested it out ourselves, we recommend that you update your OS today.
