Microsoft just pushed out a fresh preview update for Windows 11 version 24H2, known as KB5055627. While it packs in quite a few bug fixes for everyone, the exciting part is a big wave of new features, especially for upcoming Copilot+ PCs, that are starting to roll out gradually.

What's This Preview Update About?

Think of this KB5055627 update as an optional sneak peek. Microsoft releases these non-security updates towards the end of each month. Why? It gives IT professionals and keen users a chance to test drive the fixes, tweaks, and new goodies before they become part of the mandatory "Patch Tuesday" update rollout next month (in this case, May 2024).

Important Note: Unlike the main Patch Tuesday updates, these optional preview releases do not contain security patches.

How to Get the Update

Ready to check it out? Installing KB5055627 is straightforward:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Hit the 'Check for Updates' button.

Since it's optional, Windows will usually ask if you want it. Look for a 'Download and install' link and click it.

• Heads up: If you've previously turned on the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle in Windows Update, this preview update might just install automatically for you.

Prefer to do things manually? You can always grab the KB5055627 preview update directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog. <-- Retain this conceptual link; you'd normally hyperlink "Microsoft Update Catalog" in a real article

What's Inside Windows 11 KB5055627?

Once installed, this update bumps your Windows 11 24H2 build number to 26100.3915.

This April 2024 preview update brings a hefty list of new features, many designed for the new generation of "Copilot+ PCs". Keep in mind, these are rolling out gradually:

Exciting New Features (Mainly for Copilot+ PCs):

• Recall (Preview): Ever forget where you saw something on your PC? Recall aims to fix that! It works like a photographic memory for your computer, taking secure "snapshots" of your activity across apps, sites, and documents. Using the AI power of Copilot+ PCs, you can search for things you've seen just by describing them.

  • Requires opt-in: You control if snapshots are saved and need Windows Hello to access them.

  • Availability: Rolling out early 2025 in most places, EEA later.

• Click to Do (Preview): This cool feature lets you quickly act on things you see on screen. See an image? Click to Do might offer options like removing the background in Paint or erasing objects in Photos.

  • How to activate: Press Windows key + mouse click or Windows key + Q, or use Snipping Tool/Print Screen.

  • Smart Text Actions (Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs): Select text to get AI-powered options like summarizing or rewriting (using the on-device Phi Silica model).

  • Easy Access: Can also be opened by swiping from the right edge of the screen.

  • Management: Includes new IT admin policies.

• Smarter Windows Search (Copilot+ PCs): Finding stuff gets easier! Powered by new AI models, search (in File Explorer, Taskbar, Settings) understands natural language better. You can search for concepts ("my summer photos") not just exact filenames. It even works offline on Copilot+ PCs thanks to their built-in NPU (Neural Processing Unit).

  • Cloud Photo Search: Find photos stored in your personal OneDrive just by describing them (e.g., "beach sunset pics") right from File Explorer (requires internet connection).

  • Availability: Now landing on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs too.

• Narrator Gets Speech Recap: Narrator users can now easily review what was just spoken, follow a live transcription, and copy the last spoken text using simple keyboard shortcuts.

• Phone Link Boost: Access key features of your linked phone (calls, texts, photos, content sharing) directly from the Windows Start menu.

• Widgets Update:

  • Web Widgets: Web developers can now create interactive widgets using existing web content.

  • Lock Screen (EEA): Some improvements here, including the ability to customize the weather widget (via Settings > Personalization > Lock screen). More widget customization is planned.

• Settings Tweak (Copilot+ PCs): A new spot in Settings > Apps > Actions lets you manage which apps Windows recommends actions for.

• Windows Studio Effects Tweak: The automatic framing feature might turn on automatically after you use your camera for the first time (if your PC supports it and you haven't used it before).

• Desktop Icon Improvement: Pinned app icons on the desktop (like Snipping Tool if dragged from Start) should look bigger and clearer, without the accent color background plate for packaged apps.

General Improvements & Bug Fixes:

• File Explorer:

  • New Home View: A different layout in File Explorer Home aims to make accessing Microsoft 365 content easier.

  • Accessibility Fix: Better support for text scaling (making text bigger) throughout File Explorer and related dialog boxes.

  • Zip File Speedup: Improved performance when unzipping files, especially archives with many small files.

  • Address Bar Fix: Resolved an issue where the path might sometimes disappear from the address bar.

• Start Menu Fixes:

  • Fixed an issue preventing touch gestures from opening the pinned apps list.

  • Corrected visibility problems for the 'Sign out' and 'More options' buttons when text size is increased.

• Taskbar Fixes:

  • Addressed underlines staying under closed app icons.

  • Fixed arrow key navigation direction issues when using Win + T in Arabic/Hebrew.

• Display Fix: You might no longer need to press WIN + P twice to switch display modes.

• Graphics Fixes:

  • Resolved an uncommon issue causing incorrect horizontal lines in some older (Win32) apps (ExtFloodFill).

  • Fixed a problem where external graphics cards connected via Thunderbolt might not be detected sometimes.

• Hyper-V Manager Fix: Addressed an issue where it might incorrectly show 0% CPU usage for virtual machines.

Immediate Bug Fixes (Available to All Installers):

Good news – some crucial fixes are live for everyone who installs KB5055627:

• Blue Screen Fix: Corrects a SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR (0x18B) blue screen that could happen after installing the April 2024 security update and restarting.

• Connectivity Fix: Addresses intermittent internet connection problems after waking a device from sleep (related to DHCP Client).

• File System Fix: Fixes a rare blue screen error that could occur when using user profiles redirected to network drives (VHD/VHDX).

• Image Display Fix: Solves a problem where some web content with JPEG images wouldn't display correctly.

• Windows Hello Fix: Addresses an edge case where Hello login (face/PIN) stopped working after a PC reset ("Keep my Files" + "Local install") on devices with specific security features.

• Windows Setup/Reset Fix: Corrects an issue where using Sysprep after installing Win 11 24H2 could break push-button reset options.

• Windows Update Info: The update settings page and Start menu power button will now try to show an estimated time for how long an update installation will take.

Heads Up: Known Issues

Microsoft acknowledges two ongoing issues with this update:

1. Citrix Conflict: Some Citrix components might prevent the update from installing. Citrix has provided a temporary workaround on their documentation page. <-- Conceptual link

2. Roblox on ARM: Players using Windows on Arm devices might not be able to download Roblox from the Microsoft Store. The workaround is to download it directly from the Roblox website. <-- Conceptual link

For the absolutely complete list of every little detail, check out the official release notes in the Microsoft support bulletin. <-- Conceptual link

Final Thought

This preview update (KB5055627) gives a big glimpse into the future of Windows 11, especially for Copilot+ PCs, while also fixing some annoying bugs for current users. Remember, it's optional, so install it if you're curious to try things early or need one of the specific fixes included!