Windows 11 build 22621.963 (KB5021255) releases for version 22H2

Microsoft releases the Patch Tuesday update of the year for Windows 11 22H2 and version 21H2, and here's all you need to know.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 KB5021255
Windows 11 KB5021255
  • Windows 11 22H2 update KB5021255 (build 22621.963) rolls out in the stable channel.
  • The update brings a OneDrive storage usage warning to Settings.
  • It also combines Windows Spotlight with the Themes settings.
  • Furthermore, this release ships with a bunch of fixes and improvements.

Microsoft is now rolling out the update KB5021255 for Windows 11 22H2 (build 22621.963) is now available in the stable channel and the update KB5021234 for version 21H2 with various fixes and improvements.

According to the Microsoft support page, build 22621.963 now warns users in the Settings app when they are running low on storage on OneDrive, combines the Windows Spotlight with the Themes settings, fixes interface issues with the Task Manager app, and delivers a slew of fixes and improvements that the company previously made available on November 29 with the update preview KB5020044.

In addition, the software giant released the update KB5021234 for Windows 11 21H2, which bumps the version number to build 22000.1335 and addresses problems with remote networks and an issue that might affect Data Protection Application Programming Interface (DPAPI) decryption. Also, the update includes the improvements previously available with the preview update KB5019157 released on November 15.

Windows 11 22H2 update KB5021255

These are the fixes and new features available with the latest update of Windows 11 22H2:

  • Addresses a known issue that might affect Task Manager. It might display certain elements in the user interface (UI) in unexpected colors.
  • Addresses an issue that might affect Data Protection Application Programming Interface (DPAPI) decryption.
  • It gives Microsoft OneDrive subscribers storage alerts on the Systems page in the Settings app. The alerts appear when you are close to your storage limit. You can also manage your storage and purchase additional storage, if needed.
  • It provides the full amount of the storage capacity of all your OneDrive subscriptions. It also displays the total storage on the Accounts page in the Settings app.
  • Combines Windows Spotlight with Themes on the Personalization page. This makes it easier for you to discover and turn on the Windows Spotlight feature.
  • Adds a new mobile device management (MDM) policy for organizational messages. It gives your company the option to enroll tenant devices so that they receive custom messages from you. For example, you can use Intune to write the messages. They will render within Windows.
  • Addressed an issue that affects some modern applications. It stops them from opening.
  • Addressed an issue that affects some devices that are managed by an enterprise. We improve the reliability of app installations for them.
  • Addressed the suspension of daylight saving time (DST) in the Republic of Fiji for this year.
  • Addressed 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.
  • Addressed an issue that affects Unified Update Platform (UUP) on-premises customers. It removes the block that stops them from getting offline language packs.
  • Addressed an issue that affects process creation. It fails to create security audits for it and other related audit events.
  • Addressed an issue that affects cluster name objects (CNO) or virtual computer objects (VCO). Password reset fails. The error message is, ” There was an error resetting the AD password… // 0x80070005”.
  • Addressed an issue that affects transparency in layered windows. This occurs when you are in High Definition remote applications integrated locally (RAIL) mode.
  • Addressed a known issue that affects the Input Method Editor (IME). Certain applications might stop responding. This occurs when you use keyboard shortcuts to change the input mode of the IME.
  • Addressed an issue that affects microphone streams that use the Listen To feature to route to the speaker endpoint. The microphone stops working after you restart the device.
  • Addressed an issue that might affect applications that run on the Windows Lock Down Policy (WLDP). They might stop working.
  • Addressed an issue that affects Microsoft Defender when it is not the primary antivirus. Microsoft Defender fails to turn off passive mode. This issue occurs when you turn off Smart App Control (SAC). 
  • It adds .wcx to the list of Dangerous Extensions that some app control policies do not allow.
  • Addressed an issue that affects Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Automated investigation blocks live response investigations.
  • Addressed an issue that affects printing in landscape mode in Microsoft Edge. The print output is incorrect. This issue occurs when you use Microsoft Defender Application Guard.
  • Addressed an issue that causes File Explorer to stop working. This occurs when you close context menus and menu items.
  • Addressed an issue that might cause certain apps to stop responding. This occurs when you use the Open File dialog.
  • Addressed an issue that sometimes affects File Explorer when you open a file. Because of this, there is high CPU usage.
  • Addressed an issue that affects protocol activation of the Settings app. The app fails to open a page under the Accounts category.
  • Addressed an issue that affects a computer account. Use of non-standard characters can stop the cleanup of the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) accounts.
  • Addressed an issue that affects the CopyFile function. It might sometimes return error 317: ERROR_MR_MID_NOT_FOUND.
  • Addressed an issue that affects the Windows Firewall service. It does not start when you turn on the Override block rules option.
  • Addressed an issue that affects some games and applications. This issue is related to GPU performance debugging features. This lowers the expected game performance.  
  • Addressed an issue that affects cumulative update installations. They fail, and the error code is 0x800f0806.

If you want to update to Windows 11 build 22621.963 immediately, click the download and install button from the “Windows Update” settings page.

Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 22621.963 (KB5021255) 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
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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].