Windows 11 update KB5032286 deprecates Steps Recorder app

Windows 11 receives build 22635.2841 in the Beta Channel as update KB5032286.
This flight deprecates the legacy Step Recorder app.
It updates the Widgets board with the option to disable the news feed and change the account.
This release also relocates “Optional features” to the “System” section in Settings.
In addition, there are new changes for Copilot and Spotlight, among other non-security fixes.

The Windows 11 update KB5032286 is now rolling out in the Windows Insider Program Beta Channel. The update introduces some new improvements and fixes for computers with the option to get the latest updates turned on.

The update KB5032286 bumps the build number to 22635.2841, and according to the official changes, the release ends the development of the Steps Recorder app, meaning that it’ll no longer be maintained moving forward, and the company will remove it from the operating system in future releases.

As part of the Nearby Sharing experience, starting with Windows 11 build 22635.2841, turning on the sharing feature will automatically turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as necessary if they’re disabled for the feature to work.

Microsoft is also updating Task Manager with performance improvements when expanding the navigation pane, fixing an issue causing crashes when using the “Always on Top” mode, and resolving a problem with the dropdowns in settings that would float up the screen if you scrolled.

The above changes are gradually rolling out in the Beta Channel for devices with the option to receive preview features as soon as they are already turned on and for anyone in the Beta Channel who is updating the Widgets board and making available a bunch of non-security fixes.

After installing the update KB5032286, the Widgets settings will change with a new option that allows you to choose the Microsoft account you use to connect with the feature, and you can now customize your topic of interest for the news feed from within settings. Also, Microsoft is adding an option to turn off the news feeds and show only widgets on the board.

In addition, the “Optional features” settings page has been relocated from the “Apps” to the “System” section.

Windows 11 update KB5032286 fixes

These are all the fixes and improvements rolling out with the update KB5032286 for Windows 11:

You can use Copilot in Windows with ALT + Tab. When you press ALT +Tab, the thumbnail preview for Copilot in Windows appears among other thumbnail previews of open windows. You can switch between them using the Tab keystroke.

You can use Copilot in Windows across multiple displays. Press the Copilot in Windows taskbar button on the taskbar of the display where you want Copilot in Windows to appear. To show Copilot in Windows on the last display that it was on, press WIN + C. If you use a keyboard, press WIN + T to put the keyboard focus on the taskbar. Then go to the Copilot in Windows button to open it on any display.

Windows Spotlight will now be set as the default background. This might occur when your background is set to an inbox Windows image.

Addresses an issue that might affect the cursor when you write in Japanese. The cursor might move to an unexpected place.

Addresses an issue that affects File Explorer. The options in the left pane show the wrong state.

Addresses an issue that affects Remote Desktop web authentication. This issue might stop you from connecting to sovereign cloud endpoints.

Addresses an issue that affects Settings. It stops responding after you turn off Device Encryption.

Addresses an issue that affects the cursor. Its movement lags in some screen capture scenarios.

Addresses an issue that affects File Explorer windows. When you do not expect them, they appear in the foreground.

Addresses an issue that affects Windows Sandbox. If the locale of your machine is not US English, File Explorer stops responding.

Addresses an issue that affects File Explorer. When you press Shift + F10, the shortcut (context) menu does not open.

This update affects the shortcut (context) menu. Its performance is now better when you open it on the desktop and in File Explorer.

Addresses an issue that affects .RAR files. They display as if they are empty in File Explorer.

Addresses an issue that causes IE mode to stop responding. This occurs when you have multiple IE mode tabs open.

Addresses an issue that affects IE mode. A webpage stops working as expected when there is an open modal dialog.

Addresses an issue that causes IE mode to stop responding. This occurs if you press the left arrow key when an empty text box has the focus and caret (cursor) browsing is on.

Addresses an issue that affects 32-bit GDI based applications. They stop responding. This occurs when they run on 64-bit Windows OSs with more than 2 GB of memory.

Addresses an issue that affects apps that you download from Microsoft Store. They stop responding and will not update.

Addresses an issue that affects hardware that uses the PresentAt feature. Power use grows when you play a video in full screen.

Addresses an issue that affects the Copilot in Windows icon on the taskbar. It does not show as active when Copilot in Windows is open.

This update improves how fast Copilot in Windows opens from the taskbar.

Addresses an issue that affects the Trusted Sites Zone logon policy. You cannot manage it using mobile device management (MDM).

This update affects Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE). It enables Conditional Access (CA) scenarios.

This update affects the Netherlands time zone. It adds the recent man-made landmass outside of Rotterdam to the shape files.

Addresses a leak in volatile notifications. This might stop you from signing in to your machine.

Addresses an issue that affects the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) decoder. It does not work well on some websites that set the wrong input sampling rate.

Addresses an issue that affects remote direct memory access (RDMA) performance counters. They did not return networking data on VMs in the right way.

Addresses an issue that stops you from reconnecting to an existing Remote Desktop session. Instead, you get a new one.

Addresses an issue that affects Windows LAPS. Its PasswordExpirationProtectionEnabled policy fails to turn on the setting.

Addresses app cursor issues. The cursor changes from a hand to a cursor when it should not, or the cursor disappears. These issues occur when apps use the WebView2Standalone XAML control.

Addresses an issue that might affect Microsoft OneNote. When you use a pen, right-click to open it, that might fail.

This update affects Dynamic Lighting. It reduces the amount of power it uses on your device.

Addresses an issue that affects certain PCs. It stops them from downloading speech recognition packages.

As part of the known issues, Microsoft is only noting various problems with Widgets experience.

Install build 22635.2841

If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 22635.2841, enroll your device in the Beta Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Windows Update” section.

Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 22635.2841 from the “Windows Update” settings by checking the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button. However, if you are new to the Windows Insider Program, you will need a device that meets the minimum system requirements to receive the update.