Windows 11 build 22621.755 (KB5018496) outs as preview for version 22H2

Microsoft releases a preview for Windows 11 22H2 with updates for existing features, including the Task Manager option in the Taskbar context menu.

Windows 11 KB5018496
Windows 11 KB5018496
  • Windows 11 22H2 update KB5018496 (build 22621.755) is now available in the stable channel as a preview.
  • The update brings the Task Manager option to the Taskbar context menu.
  • It also delivers changes for the Microsoft Account settings and visual tweaks for search.
  • Furthermore, this release ships with a bunch of fixes and improvements.
  • The update was previously available as build 22621.754 in the Release Preview Channel.

UPDATED 10/25/2022: As part of version 22H2, Windows 11 build 22621.755 (KB5018496) is now available in the stable channel as an optional install. This non-security update brings new enhancements for existing features, fixes, and several improvements.

According to the Microsoft support page (Release Preview announcement), build 22621.755 adds the Task Manager option to the context menu when you right-click the Taskbar, improves the backup experience when using a Microsoft Account, and brings visual changes for search to improve discoverability. In addition, this flight adds new consent for Windows Hello Face and Fingerprint users and changes to the Microsoft Account experience in the Settings app. 

Windows 11 22H2 update KB5018496

These are the fixes and new features available with the latest update of Windows 11:

  • Added a new consent form for those of you enrolled in Windows Hello Face and Fingerprint. You have new choices for your biometric data. You can keep storing your biometric data or open Settings to delete the data if you have not used your face or fingerprint for authentication in over 365 days. You also have these options if you upgraded to Windows 11 and have not yet seen the new Hello Learn More Privacy text.
  • Added improvements to the Microsoft Account experience in Settings. For instance, you can manage your Microsoft One Drive subscription and related storage alerts.
  • Enhanced search visual treatments on the taskbar to improve discoverability. This is available to a small audience initially and deploys more broadly in the months that follow. Some devices might notice different visual treatments as we gather feedback. To learn more about why you might be seeing these changes, see Search for anything, anywhere.
  • New! We enhance the backup experience when using your Microsoft Account (MSA). Some devices might notice visual treatments for this enhancement. This is available to a small audience initially and deploys more broadly in the months that follow.
  • Added Task Manager to the context menu when you right-click the taskbar. This feature rolls out in the coming weeks.
  • Enabled the ms-appinstaller Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) to work for the DesktopAppInstaller.
  • Windows will not start daylight saving time in Jordan at the end of October 2022.
  • Fixed an issue that affects Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) authentication hardening. We will automatically raise the authentication level for all non-anonymous activation requests from DCOM clients to RPC_C_AUTHN_LEVEL_PKT_INTEGRITY. This occurs if the authentication level is below Packet Integrity.
  • Fixed an issue that affects the Windows Search service. Indexing progress is slow when you use the service.
  • Fixed an issue that affects cached credentials for security keys and Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) authentications. On hybrid domain-joined devices, the system removes these cached credentials.
  • Fixed an issue that might affect some types of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections. These connections might have handshake failures. For developers, the affected connections are likely to send multiple frames followed by a partial frame with a size of less than 5 bytes within a single input buffer. If the connection fails, your app will receive the error, “SEC_E_ILLEGAL_MESSAGE”.
  • Fixed an issue that affects the Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AAD) Application Proxy connector. It cannot retrieve a Kerberos ticket on behalf of the user. The error message is, “The handle specified is invalid (0x80090301).”
  • Fixed an issue that affects certificate mapping. When it fails, lsass.exe might stop working in schannel.dll.
  • Fixed an issue that affects Microsoft Edge when it is in IE Mode. The titles of pop-up windows and tabs are wrong.
  • Fixed an issue that affects Microsoft Edge IE mode. It stops you from opening webpages. This occurs when you enable Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) and you do not configure Network Isolation policies.
  • Fixed an issue that affects title bars when you use third-party tools to customize them. The title bars did not render. This update ensures that title bars render; however, we cannot guarantee all text customizations will work as before.
  • Fixed an issue that might cause vertical and horizontal line artifacts to appear on the screen.
  • Fixed an issue that affects input method editors (IME) from Microsoft and third parties. They stop working when you close the IME window. This occurs if the IME uses Windows Text Services Framework (TSF) 1.0.
  • Fixed an issue that might fail to sync the audio when you record game play using the Xbox Game Bar.
  • We updated DriverSiPolicy.p7b for the Windows kernel vulnerable driver blocklist. This update includes drivers that are vulnerable to Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
  • We extended original equipment manufacturer (OEM) control of Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI) enforcement for targeted hardware configurations.
  • Fixed an issue that affects File Explorer. It is less dependable when you browse for Microsoft OneDrive folders.
  • Fixed an issue that affects the button style BS_PUSHLIKE. Buttons that have this style are difficult to identify against a dark background.
  • Fixed an issue in that stops the credential UI from displaying in IE mode when you use Microsoft Edge.
  • Fixed an issue that affects Server Manager. It might reset the wrong disk when several disks have the same UniqueId.
  • We address an issue that affects the CopyFile function. It returns ERROR_INVALID_HANDLE instead of ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND when it is called with an invalid source file.
  • Fixed an issue that affects the Start menu. It stops working when you use keyboard commands to move pinned items to a folder at the end of a list.

If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 22621.755, enroll your device in the Release Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section.

Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 22621.755 (KB5018496) from the “Windows Update” settings by clicking the Check for Updates button. However, you will need a device that meets the minimum system requirements to receive the update if you are new to the Windows Insider Program.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].