- Windows 11 22H2 receives builds 22621.885 and 22623.885 (KB5020054) in the Beta Channel.
- The update introduces new Neural Processing Unit features and energy recommendations.
- This release also includes fixes and improvements.
Microsoft rolls out Windows 11 build 22623.885 (KB5020054) with new features enabled by default and the preview build 22621.885 (KB5020054) with features turned off by default for computers in the Beta Channel.
Build 22623.885 for Windows 11, according to the official changes, introduces faster access to the Windows Studio effects from the Quick Settings flyout menu for devices with support for Neural Processing Unit (NPU). In addition, the Power & Battery settings page now includes “Energy Recommendations” to help you save energy and lower your carbon footprint.
On Windows 11 22623.885 and 22621.885, you will now find the option to view the Widgets board in full-screen mode. Furthermore, this release includes various improvements and fixes for both releases.
Windows 11 build 22623.885 and 22621.885
These are the new features and improvements expected to arrive in the next feature drop of Windows 11:
Windows Studio Effects
Starting with build 22623.885, the “Quick Settings” flyout (Windows key + A) includes quick access to the Windows Studio effects for computers with support for Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which can include camera effects, such as Background Blur, Eye Contact, and automatic framing, and audio effects like Voice Focus.
Energy Recommendations
Also, on build 22623.885, the “Power & Battery” settings page now includes “Energy Recommendations” with suggestions to configure features to save energy and lower your carbon footprint.
Widgets in full-screen
On builds 22623.885 and 22621.885, the Widgets board includes a new option next to the profile menu to expand the experience to full-screen mode.
Changes and fixes for build 22623.885
As part of the changes, Windows 11 build 22623.885 includes support to rearrange icons in the hidden icons flyout in the system tray.
These are the fixes specific to build 22623.885:
Taskbar
• Fixed a few explorer.exe crashes related to the recent taskbar and system tray work.
• The pin/unpin visual will now display when dragging system tray icons to any position along the system tray, and not only when hovering over the show hidden icons button.
• Fixed the issue where certain chat apps (that supported it) weren’t flashing with new messages or opening a preview on hover in the system tray.
• The show hidden icons flyout in the system tray should now responsively resize with changes again to prevent empty spaces and columns.
• Fixed an issue that could result in the show hidden icons flyout appearing disconnected from the taskbar in certain cases.
• Fixed an issue that was causing the volume icon in the system tray to incorrectly show as muted.
• Fixed an issue where invoking the context menu for items in the system tray might not put the context menu in the foreground and it would get stuck behind the taskbar.
File Explorer
Improves the performance of deleting files via File Explorer (when emptying the recycle bin or using Shift + Delete) in the case where there are a large number of files being deleted at once.
Microsoft is looking into problems with the tablet-optimized Taskbar as part of the known issues.
Install build 22623.885
If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 22623.885, you need to enroll your device in the Beta Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section.
Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 22623.885 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. If the device receives build 22621.885, you can check again for updates to download build 22623.885.
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 14 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 20 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].