KB5052094: Windows 11 Preview Update - OS Builds 22621.4974 and 22631.4974 (February 25, 2025)

Summary

This is an optional, non-security preview update for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2, tracked as KB5052094. It brings OS builds to 22621.4974 and 22631.4974 and was released on February 25, 2025. It delivers quality improvements across the shell, accessibility tools, and core components ahead of the next monthly security update. See the Microsoft Support page for full details.

Highlights

• [Taskbar] You can now share files directly from a jump list on the taskbar. Jump lists appear when you right-click an app that supports them.
• [Windows Spotlight] Hovering over a background image or clicking the "Learn about this picture" icon now shows more information about that image. The Spotlight icon also has updated colors and a new background, and it now appears in the lower-right area of the desktop.
• [Lock screen] Clicking the "Like" icon on the lock screen now makes it easier to learn more about the displayed image.
• [Narrator] Scan mode gains several new navigation shortcuts: skip past links (n), jump to the start of an item (comma), jump to the end of an item (period), and jump to lists (l). These are most useful when reading long emails, news articles, and wiki pages.
• [Game Pass] Eligible Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers may see a referral card on the Settings home page that lets them invite friends and family to try PC Game Pass for free. The card appears only when signed in with a Microsoft account.
• [File Explorer] You can now snooze or dismiss the "Start backup" reminder in the address bar. Several bugs are also fixed: a URL entered in the address bar sometimes failed to navigate to the correct location; the address bar overlapped files in F11 full-screen mode; the context menu opened slowly when right-clicking cloud files. Thumbnails for cloud files now display more consistently in search results.
• [Start menu] Fixed incorrect colors in the account manager flyout menu when using a mixed dark and light custom color mode.
• [Mouse] Fixed an issue where a custom mouse pointer color reverted to white after a User Account Control (UAC) dialog appeared.

Improvements and fixes

• Daylight saving time (DST) support has been updated to reflect changes in Paraguay.
• Fixed a recurring issue where dwm.exe stopped responding multiple times.
• COSA profiles for certain mobile operators have been updated through the Country and Operator Settings Asset component.
• Fixed a known issue where the OpenSSH service failed to start, blocking SSH connections without producing detailed log output and requiring manual execution of sshd.exe.
• Windows 11 version 23H2 receives all improvements listed for version 22H2; no additional issues are documented for that release specifically.
• A companion servicing stack update, KB5052107 (builds 22621.4960 and 22631.4960), is included to improve the reliability of the component responsible for installing Windows updates.

Known issues

Citrix Session Recording Agent blocks 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 appears to download and apply correctly, but on reboot the device displays a message similar to "Something didn't go as planned. No need to worry - undoing changes" and reverts to the previously installed Windows updates. Home users are not expected to be affected.

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

USB dual-mode printer prints random text and data

Symptom: After installing this update, USB-connected dual-mode printers that support both USB Print and IPP Over USB protocols may unexpectedly print random text, network commands, and unusual characters. The printed output often begins with the header "POST /ipp/print HTTP/1.1" followed by additional IPP-related headers. The problem occurs more frequently when the printer is powered on or reconnected after being disconnected. This issue applies to enterprise users.

Workaround: This issue is addressed in KB5053657.

How to get this update

Microsoft bundles the latest servicing stack update (SSU) with the latest cumulative update (LCU) in a single package, so no separate SSU download is required before installation.

• Windows Update: Go to Settings - Update & Security - Windows Update. The update appears under "Optional updates available." Download and install it from there.
• Microsoft Update Catalog: The standalone package for KB5052094 is available for direct download from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
• Windows Update for Business: This preview update is not pushed through Windows Update for Business. Its fixes will be included in the next monthly security update.
• WSUS: This update is not published automatically to Windows Server Update Services. Administrators can import it manually using the Microsoft Update Catalog.

To remove only the LCU after installing the combined SSU and LCU package, use the DISM /Remove-Package command with the LCU package name as the argument. Running wusa.exe with the /uninstall switch against the combined package will not work because the SSU cannot be removed after installation.

Frequently asked questions

Is this update mandatory for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 devices?

No. KB5052094 is an optional preview update, not a security release. It will not be pushed automatically to most devices. Administrators who want to evaluate its fixes before the next monthly security update can install it manually through Windows Update optional updates or the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Does this update apply to both Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2?

Yes. The update targets both Windows 11 Enterprise and Education version 22H2 (build 22621.4974) and Windows 11 version 23H2 all editions (build 22631.4974). The 23H2 release inherits all improvements documented for 22H2 with no additional changes noted.

What should I do if I need to uninstall this update?

Use the DISM /online /get-packages command to identify the LCU package name, then run DISM /Remove-Package targeting that name. Do not use wusa.exe with /uninstall on the combined package, as the embedded SSU component cannot be removed once installed.

Does this update require a specific servicing stack version before installing?

No separate prerequisite download is needed. Microsoft combines the required servicing stack update - KB5052107, versions 22621.4960 and 22631.4960 - directly into the cumulative update package, so the correct servicing stack is applied automatically during installation.