On March 21, 2024, Microsoft will make available the Windows 11 builds 22621.3371 and 22631.3371 as the update KB5035942 for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 devices enrolled in the Windows Insider Program’s Release Preview Channel with visual changes to the Lock screen and several improvements and fixes.
According to the official announcement, the update KB5035942 for Windows 11 is in the process of adding and showing more content on the Lock screen, converting the experience into a second Widgets dashboard (with limited functionalities).
Similar to the Windows 10 experience, starting with this release, the Lock screen will show the weather information using dynamic data as well as widgets with sports, traffic, and finance content.
The good news is that while the weather widget is enabled by default, you must configure the additional content manually through the Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
In addition, the Windows 11 build 22631.3371 also introduces some improvements for businesses. For example, the network administrator can set a policy for clipboard redirection from the local to the remote computer.
Administrators can also use the Mobile Device Management (MDM) tool to configure the “DisablePostLogonProvisioning” to prevent prompts when users sign in to an Entra-joined computer. The update also enables Autopilot 2.0, a service that streamlines the deployment process for new devices.
Finally, this update ensures NPUs are visible in Task Manager. In addition to these releases, Microsoft is also testing a new version of Notepad with new spelling and autocorrect functionalities for devices enrolled in the Dev and Canary Channels.
Other changes with builds 22621.3371 and 22631.3371
These are improvements rolling out with the latest preview of Windows 11:
- Supports daylight saving time changes in Greenland, Kazakhstan, and Samoa.
- Enhances UI localization for all MSIX app languages upon the operating system upgrade.
- Fixes an issue where some applications relying on COM+ stop responding.
- Resolves apps and features unavailability post Windows 11 upgrade.
- Fixes a deadlock in CloudAP occurring with simultaneous user sign-ins and outs on VMs.
- Fixes access to network resources from Remote Desktop sessions with Remote Credential Guard.
- Addresses containers not progressing past “ContainerCreating” status.
- Fixes mismatch between Settings app and configurations made through MDM or GPO for the time service.
- Fixes the touch keyboard and candidate window for Japanese and Chinese IMEs not appearing after Modern Standby.
- Resolves an issue where loading top-down bitmaps with negative height fails.
- Fixes the Settings app freezing when removing Bluetooth devices.
- Updates COSA profiles for some mobile operators.
- Fixes Notepad’s inability to print to certain IPP printers.
- Addresses USB audio failure on some processors after pausing, playing, or resuming from sleep.
- Prevents a stop error from applying more than 32 WDAC policies.
- Ensures AppLocker’s existing rule collection enforcement mode isn’t overwritten during rules merge.
- Fixes Group Policy service failure after applying an audit policy with LGPO.exe.
- Addresses the non-functionality of Secure Launch on certain processors.
- Fixes incorrect label text length for taskbar app labels under certain settings.
- Addresses reliability issues with Virtual Remote App products when using a custom shell.
- Improves Bluetooth connection stability for wireless headphones.
- Fixes failure of Azure App Services due to TLS 1.3 when connecting to third-party LDAP servers.
- Fixes dsamain.exe stopping response when KCC runs evaluations.
- Addresses the MSMQ PowerShell module not loading.
Windows 11 build 26085 (Canary Channel)
On March 20, the company also released the Windows 11 build 26085 in the Deve and Canary Channel, but it didn’t introduce any new features, only some fixes and various known issues.
Among the new changes, this preview enables the “Hearing adis” settings page in the Settings > Accessibility section for machines with support for Bluetooth LE Audio.
The update also temporarily turns off the pointer indicator feature, but the company says it will become available in future updates.
Finally, this release fixes issues regarding File Explorer, Sudo, Windows Security, Input, Windows Update, and the Settings app.
Alongside this update, the company also released the latest preview for the Windows Insider build for HLK (Hardware Lab Kit), which are the tools for companies to test their apps for upcoming releases of the operating system.
Install update KB5035942
You can download KB5035942 from the “Windows Update” settings by clicking the “Check for Updates” button and restarting your computer after enrolling the computer in the Release Preview Channel and turning on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.
If you plan to install Windows 11 build 26085, you must enroll the computer in the Dev or Canary Channel (see previous link).
Although it’s unclear when the changes in the Release Preview Channel will arrive to everyone, they are expected to roll out before the release of version 24H2.
