KB5052093: Windows 11 Version 24H2 Preview Update (OS Build 26100.3323) - February 25, 2025

Summary

This is an optional, non-security preview update for Windows 11 version 24H2, released on February 25, 2025, bringing the OS to build 26100.3323. It delivers quality improvements, new features across File Explorer, Narrator, Windows Spotlight, and the taskbar, along with fixes for audio, Remote Desktop, and drag-and-drop issues. See Microsoft Support for the full official documentation.

Highlights

Note: The following features are rolling out gradually and may not be available to all users immediately.

• [Task Manager] Fixed an issue where Task Manager might incorrectly identify an HDD as an SSD.
• [Taskbar] You can now share files directly from a jump list on the taskbar by right-clicking an app that supports jump lists.
• [Windows Spotlight] Hovering over or clicking the "Learn about this picture" icon now surfaces quick information about the background image. The Spotlight icon has also been updated with new colors, a new background style, and repositioned to the lower-right area of the desktop.
• [Lock screen] Selecting the "Like" button on the lock screen now makes it easier to learn more about the displayed image.
• [Narrator] Scan mode gains two new navigation shortcuts: press comma ( , ) to jump to the start of an item such as a table or list, and period ( . ) to jump to the end. Enable Narrator with Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter, then toggle scan mode with Caps Lock + Spacebar.
• [Game Pass] Eligible PC Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers signed in with a Microsoft account may see a referral card on the Settings home page to invite others to try PC Game Pass for free.
• [File Explorer] Users can now snooze or dismiss the "Start backup" reminder in the address bar. Additional fixes improve folder-loading performance with large numbers of media files, correct a URL navigation failure in the address bar, fix address bar overlap in F11 full-screen mode, resolve slow context menus on cloud files, and improve thumbnail consistency for cloud files in search results.
• [HTML Help Viewer] Text scaling support has been added.
• [Start menu] Fixed incorrect colors in the account manager flyout when using a mixed dark and light custom mode under Settings > Personalization > Colors.
• [Scanners] Fixed an issue where apps might not detect a connected scanner.
• [Audio] Fixed three audio problems: volume jumping to 100% on wake from sleep, repeated mute/unmute sounds, and USB audio devices stopping after a short idle period.
• [Camera] Two new camera features: Multi-app camera allows multiple applications to access the camera stream simultaneously (developed with accessibility in mind for sign language interpreting scenarios), and Basic camera mode enables minimal camera functionality useful for debugging when the camera is not working correctly.

Improvements and fixes

• [Hyper-V] Resolved an error in Hyper-V Quick Create that read "Could not load file or assembly Newtonsoft.Json".
• [Daylight saving time] Added support for daylight saving time changes in Paraguay.
• [OpenSSH] Fixed a known issue where the OpenSSH service failed to start, blocking SSH connections and producing no detailed logging, which previously required running sshd.exe manually as a workaround.
• [Get Help app] Fixed a failure that prevented the Get Help app from opening on Windows Server 2025.
• [Settings] Resolved a crash where opening Settings produced a memory reference error message and could also affect RuntimeBroker.exe.
• [Remote Desktop] Fixed display rendering problems when connecting to certain PCs, and resolved a separate issue where Remote Desktop stopped responding.
• [Drag and Drop] Fixed a problem where dragging and dropping objects - such as files, emails, or attachments - did not move them correctly in certain applications and monitor configurations, particularly on high-DPI displays using legacy DPI scaling modes.
• [GDI+] Fixed a color corruption issue that occurred after using GDI+ to shrink an image.
• [Shared PC] Fixed a failure when a Guest account tried to sign in to a PC in Shared PC mode with DeviceLock password policies configured.
• [Mouse] Fixed an issue where a custom mouse pointer color reverted to white after a UAC dialog appeared, found under Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch.
• [Live captions] Fixed an issue where the live captions window disappeared after disconnecting an external monitor.

Known issues

Roblox on Arm devices

Symptom: Players on Arm-based devices are unable to download and play Roblox from the Microsoft Store on Windows.

Workaround: Roblox is working on a resolution. 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 updates.

Citrix Session Recording Agent blocks January 2025 update installation

Symptom: Devices with Citrix Session Recording Agent (SRA) version 2411 (released December 2024) may fail to complete installation of the January 2025 Windows security update. The update may appear to download and apply correctly, but on restart the device shows a message similar to "Something didn't go as planned. No need to worry - undoing changes" and reverts to the previously installed updates. This issue primarily affects organizations running SRA version 2411 and is not expected to affect home users.

Workaround: The issue has been resolved in Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2503, released April 28, 2025, and later versions. See Citrix documentation titled "Microsoft's January Security Update Fails/Reverts on a machine with 2411 Session Recording Agent" for details.

Remote Desktop unexpected disconnections

Symptom: After installing the January 2025 Windows preview update (KB5050094) and later updates, users may experience unexpected disconnections from Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions, including Remote Desktop Services (RDS). Reports increased significantly after the March 2025 security update (KB5053598). Specifically, RDP sessions may disconnect after 65 seconds when UDP-based connections are established from Windows 11 version 24H2 devices to RDS deployments running Windows Server 2016 or earlier. Windows Server 2025 itself is not affected as an RDS host but may see disconnects when acting as an RDP client to older servers.

Workaround: This issue is addressed in KB5053656. If your enterprise-managed device has KB5053656 (released March 27, 2025) or a later update installed, no additional action is needed. If you are on an earlier update, IT admins can deploy a special Group Policy under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates using the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) mechanism. Download the applicable KIR Group Policy for Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025, deploy it following Microsoft's Group Policy KIR guidance, and restart affected devices to apply the setting.

How to get this update

Microsoft bundles the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for Windows 11 version 24H2 - KB5052915, build 26100.3321 - together with this cumulative update.

• Windows Update: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The update appears in the "Optional updates available" area. It is not automatically pushed; you must select it manually.
• Windows Update for Business: Not available through this channel for the preview release. The changes will be included in the next scheduled security update.
• Microsoft Update Catalog: Available for manual download. You can install all MSU files together using DISM with the /Add-Package option pointing to a folder containing all downloaded files, or install them individually in order: first windows11.0-kb5043080-x64, then windows11.0-kb5052093-x64.
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS): Not available automatically. IT admins can import the update manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

To remove the cumulative update after installation, use the DISM /online /remove-package command with the LCU package name. Running wusa.exe /uninstall against the combined package will not work because the SSU is included and cannot be removed once installed.

Frequently asked questions

Is KB5052093 a security update?

No. KB5052093 is an optional, non-security preview update released on February 25, 2025. It contains quality improvements and new features but does not address security vulnerabilities. Security fixes from this update will be included in the next scheduled monthly security update for Windows 11 version 24H2.

Does this update include a servicing stack update, and do I need to install it separately?

No separate installation is required. Microsoft combines the servicing stack update (SSU KB5052915, build 26100.3321) with the cumulative update package. DISM handles prerequisite installation automatically when you point it to the folder containing all downloaded MSU files.

How can IT admins deploy this update to managed devices?

Managed environments should use the Microsoft Update Catalog to download the package and deploy it via DISM or import it manually into WSUS. Windows Update for Business does not deliver this preview release; those deployments will receive the changes through the next monthly security update.

Can the update be uninstalled if problems arise after deployment?

The cumulative update (LCU) portion can be removed using DISM /online /remove-package with the LCU package name, found by running DISM /online /get-packages. Using wusa.exe /uninstall against the combined package will not work. The SSU component cannot be removed after installation.