Windows 11 KB5052094 Update Preview Adds Phone Link Feature to Start Menu

Microsoft has rolled out a new Release Preview build for Windows 11 Insiders who are still utilizing the 23H2 version. The latest build, designated as 22631.5261 and released under KB5055629, addresses several issues, particularly focusing on touch gestures for the Start menu and ensuring accurate arrow key navigation for Arabic and Hebrew display languages when using the Windows key + T shortcut. Below is a comprehensive overview of the updates included in this build:

Gradual Rollout Information

Many of the features and improvements within this update will be made available gradually. Changes highlighted within brackets [ ] indicate the specific area affected.

[Narrator] New! Users can now keep track of what Narrator has conveyed with the introduction of speech recap. This feature allows for easy access to previously spoken content, live transcription following, and the ability to copy the last spoken words from Narrator using simple keyboard shortcuts. For more details, visit this support page.

[Phone Link] New! Enhanced connectivity between Windows PCs and mobile devices is now possible, enabling users to manage phone calls, send SMS messages, and share content seamlessly from the Start menu.

[Widgets] New! Web developers can now leverage existing content to design interactive widgets that can be utilized across various widget surfaces.

[File Explorer]

New! The integration of pivot-based curated views on the File Explorer Home enhances accessibility to Microsoft 365 content, facilitating improved productivity and streamlined access to relevant information.

Fixed: The performance of extracting zipped files has been enhanced, especially when dealing with multiple small files.

[Windows Share] New! Users can now make quick edits to images shared through Windows Share, including cropping, rotating, and applying filters.

[Start]

Fixed: An issue preventing the use of touch gestures to view the list of pinned apps in the Start menu has been resolved.

Fixed: The options for Sign out and More options in the Start menu account manager are now visible with larger text sizes.

[Taskbar] Fixed: The directional arrow keys function correctly upon pressing the Windows key + T for Arabic and Hebrew display languages, addressing previous issues of incorrect navigation.

Normal Rollout Enhancements

This section includes features and improvements that are being gradually introduced. Bracketed text [ ] identifies the associated area of change.

[Sign-In Impact] Fixed: An issue with the USBxHCI controller affecting all USB-connected devices, particularly built-in USB cameras using Windows Hello, has been addressed. Users must disable Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) to ensure proper functioning. To do so, navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings > Sign in with an external camera or fingerprint reader > toggle switch ON. If a Windows Hello container is created while using Windows 11, version 23H2, there may be complications accessing ESS after upgrading to Windows 11, version 24H2.

[Server Message Block (SMB)] Fixed: Resolve the issue where Excel files hosted on SMB file shares with Access-Based Enumeration enabled were taking longer than expected to open due to multiple linked files.

[Xbox]

Fixed: The update rectified issues with Xbox Elite Wireless Controllers that had certain firmware versions, where keyboards were not functioning and device manager showed error indicators.

Fixed: Resolved a hang issue with the driver verifier during gamepad controller driver certification, which occasionally affected Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing.

[Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)] Fixed: The update expands the list of drivers at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks to enhance overall system security.