KB5050094: Windows 11 24H2 Preview Update (OS Build 26100.3037) - January 28, 2025

Summary

This is an optional, non-security preview update for Windows 11 version 24H2, released on January 28, 2025, producing OS build 26100.3037. It delivers quality improvements across taskbar previews, File Explorer, mouse behavior, audio devices, and more. Because it is a preview update, it does not ship through Windows Update for Business automatically. Source: Microsoft Support

Highlights

The following items are subject to gradual rollout and may not reach all users immediately:

• Taskbar previews - Hover-over app previews on the taskbar are improved, along with their animations.
• New simplified Chinese font (Simsun-ExtG) - Adds 9,753 ideographs supporting Unicode Extensions G (range 30000-3134A, 4,939 chars), H (range 31350-323AF, 4,192 chars), and I (range 2EBF0-2EE5D, 622 chars). The font includes the Biangbiang noodles character. Some apps may not yet display the new extension characters.
• File Explorer enhancements - Right-clicking items in the left pane now shows a "New Folder" command; previously open tabs are restored per window when "Restore previous folder windows at logon" is enabled; specific File Explorer settings are configured automatically when "Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in" is turned on.
• Non-admin time zone changes - Users can now change time zones under Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time without administrator rights.

Improvements and fixes

Gradual rollout

• File Explorer - Fixed a bug where a search would repeat unexpectedly after the initial search completed.
• File Explorer - Fixed an issue where copying a file could incorrectly update its date and time properties.
• File Explorer - Fixed icons in the details pane not updating correctly when switching between dark and light themes.
• File Explorer - Fixed the search box losing input focus while the user was typing.
• Mouse cursor - Fixed the cursor disappearing when hovering over text fields in certain applications.
• Mouse cursor - Fixed a bug where enabling pointer trails caused the cursor to become transparent with a black box behind it.
• Mouse cursor - Fixed cursor stuttering during movement, even when system resources were not under heavy load.
• Pinyin IME - Fixed the input method language switching from Chinese to English when changing between app windows.
• Snipping Tool - Fixed distorted screenshots when using two or more monitors with different display scaling factors.
• Microsoft Excel 2016 - Fixed an issue where opening certain files left Excel stuck on the loading screen.
• Game bar - Fixed recording failures that produced error code 0x82323673.
• Domains - Fixed a failure that could prevent a device from joining a domain.
• Task Manager - Fixed a delay where Task Manager took too long to close after the app was shut down.
• Dam.sys - Fixed a watchdog timeout error that could occur when the PC resumed from sleep.
• Windows Update installation - Fixed cumulative updates failing to install with error code 0x800736b3, which occurred after a Feature on Demand package failed to install.

Normal rollout

• Auto HDR - Fixed games appearing oversaturated when Auto HDR was active.
• USB audio (DAC) - Fixed USB audio devices - particularly those using a DAC driver based on USB 1.0 - stopping playback or ceasing to work entirely.
• USB audio device drivers - Fixed the "This device cannot start" (code 10) error appearing when connecting certain external audio management devices.
• Chinese Pinyin IME - Bing will stop providing automatic suggestions in the search box for search engine sites such as Baidu. Manual suggestions remain available via Ctrl+Tab or the chevron button (>).
• USB cameras - Fixed a device failing to detect that a USB camera was on, a regression introduced by the January 2025 security update.
• Passkey - Removed the one-minute timeout that applied when using a passkey on a phone.
• Power / shutdown - Fixed slower-than-expected shutdown on some devices when a controller was connected.
• Wi-Fi - Fixed the Windows Security dialog becoming unresponsive when signing in to certain Wi-Fi networks; the same problem could affect other Settings options.
• Memory leak - Fixed memory leaks that occurred when predictive input suggestions were displayed.
• Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist (DriverSiPolicy.p7b) - Expanded the list of drivers flagged as vulnerable to Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
• Remote Desktop Gateway - Fixed sign-in errors and connection failures when connecting to Windows 11 workstations with device redirection enforced.

Servicing stack

A companion servicing stack update, KB5050108 (build 26100.3023), is included. It improves the reliability of the component responsible for installing Windows updates.

Known issues

Roblox on Arm devices

Symptom: Players on Arm-based devices cannot download and play Roblox from the Microsoft Store on Windows.

Workaround: Roblox is working on a fix. Until it is available, players on Arm devices can play Roblox by downloading it directly from www.Roblox.com. Check the Roblox support site for status updates.

OpenSSH service fails to start

Symptom: After installing the October 2024 security update, the OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell) service fails to start, blocking all SSH connections. The failure produces no detailed log output, and manually running sshd.exe is required as a workaround. This affects enterprise, IoT, and education customers on a limited number of devices; impact on Home and Pro consumer editions was still under investigation at the time of the original report.

Resolution: This issue is addressed in KB5052093.

Citrix Session Recording Agent blocks January 2025 update installation

Symptom: Devices with Citrix Session Recording Agent (SRA) version 2411 (released December 2024) may be unable to complete installation of the January 2025 Windows security update. The update may download and begin applying correctly, but when the device restarts to finish installation, an error similar to "Something didn't go as planned. No need to worry - undoing changes" appears and the device reverts to its previous update state. Home users are not expected to be affected.

Resolution: Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2503, released April 28, 2025, resolves this issue. Refer to Citrix documentation titled "Microsoft's January Security Update Fails/Reverts on a machine with 2411 Session Recording Agent" for details.

Remote Desktop sessions freeze

Symptom: After installing KB5050094 and later updates on Windows 11 version 24H2, Remote Desktop sessions may freeze shortly after connecting. Mouse and keyboard input become unresponsive within the session, requiring a disconnect and reconnect.

Resolution: This issue is addressed in KB5052093.

Remote Desktop sessions disconnect after 65 seconds

Symptom: After installing KB5050094 and later updates, RDP sessions - including Remote Desktop Services (RDS) connections - may disconnect unexpectedly. The problem is most pronounced with UDP-based connections from Windows 11 version 24H2 clients to RDS deployments running Windows Server 2016 or earlier, where disconnections can occur around the 65-second mark. A significant increase in reports followed the March 2025 security update (KB5053598). Windows Server 2025 as an RDS host is not affected, but it may experience disconnects when acting as an RDP client to older servers.

Resolution: This issue is addressed in KB5053656. For enterprise-managed devices running the update released March 27, 2025 (KB5053656) or later, no additional Group Policy action is required. For devices on earlier updates, IT admins can deploy a special Known Issue Rollback (KIR) Group Policy found under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates. The Group Policy download for Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 is named "Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 KB5053598 250314_20401 Known Issue Rollback." A device restart is required after applying the policy. For deployment instructions, see the Microsoft documentation on using Group Policy to deploy a Known Issue Rollback.

How to get this update

Microsoft bundles the latest servicing stack update (SSU) with this cumulative update, so no separate SSU download is required before installation.

• Windows Update - Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The update appears under the "Optional updates available" section as a link to download and install.
• Windows Update for Business - Not available through this channel. The fixes will be included in the next security update.
• Microsoft Update Catalog - Available. Download the MSU files for KB5050094 and install them using DISM or Windows Update Standalone Installer. To install all files together, place them in a single folder and run DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:c:\packages\Windows11.0-KB5050094-x64.msu from an elevated Command Prompt (or the equivalent Add-WindowsPackage PowerShell command). To install individually, apply the files in this order: (1) windows11.0-kb5043080-x64, then (2) windows11.0-kb5050094-x64.
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) - Not directly available. Import manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

To remove the cumulative update after installation, use the DISM /Remove-Package command-line option.

Frequently asked questions

Is KB5050094 a security update?

No. This is an optional non-security preview update released on January 28, 2025, targeting Windows 11 version 24H2 at OS build 26100.3037. It ships quality and feature improvements ahead of the next monthly security update cycle. It will not be delivered automatically through Windows Update for Business; admins must opt in or use the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Do I need to install anything before applying this update?

No separate prerequisite download is required. Microsoft bundles the relevant servicing stack update (KB5050108, build 26100.3023) with this package, so DISM or Windows Update will handle any ordering requirements automatically when you install from the Update Catalog.

How do I deploy this update to managed enterprise devices?

The update is available from the Microsoft Update Catalog for manual import into WSUS or for direct deployment via DISM. Place all MSU files in a single folder and use DISM /Online /Add-Package pointing to the target MSU, or use the Add-WindowsPackage PowerShell cmdlet. The update is not pushed through Windows Update for Business channels; it will be incorporated into the next standard security release.

Are there any known compatibility problems IT admins should be aware of before deploying?

Yes - three key areas. First, devices with Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2411 may fail to complete installation and revert; upgrading to SRA version 2503 resolves this. Second, Remote Desktop sessions on Windows 11 24H2 may freeze or disconnect; both issues are addressed in follow-on updates KB5052093 and KB5053656 respectively. Third, Roblox is not playable via the Microsoft Store on Arm devices; a direct download from Roblox.com is the available workaround.