Windows 11 build 22621.1413 (KB5023706) outs as 'moment 2' March 2023 update

Microsoft releases the “moment 2” update for Windows 11 (build 22621.1413).
The update is available for everyone as update KB5023706.
The Moment 2 update brings new features like the new Taskbar optimized for touch and changes for search.
It also introduces a slew of fixes and improvements.

Microsoft rolls out new features and improvements as part of the March 2023 feature drop update (moment 2) for Windows 11 22H2. The update is available as the KB5023706 for compatible devices and enables many new experiences, and it pushes a slew of fixes.

The update KB5023706 bumps the version number to build 22621.1413, and according to the announcement, it rolls out two important security fixes affecting Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) and computers that connect to Active Directory. In addition, the update delivers the new features and changes available as a preview on February 28, including new access to the Windows Studio Effects directly from quick settings on the Taskbar. It makes it easier to use the Quick Assist app to offer remote assistance. The update also brings various improvements to Search, including a new option to change the style of the interface in the Taskbar.

Windows 11 now can recommend energy settings to improve efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint. The Taskbar is getting some minor visual changes. You will also find enhanced support for braille devices, Voice Access, and new keyboard layouts. Finally, and perhaps one of the biggest features of this “moment 2” update is the new touch-optimized taskbar for 2-in-1 devices that you could use as a tablet.

Furthermore, the software giant released the update KB5023698 for Windows 11 21H2, which bumps the version number to build 22000.1696 and addresses a couple of security problems, and pushes the fixes and improvements previously available in the Release Preview Channel on February 21.

Windows 11 22H2 moment 2 new features

These are all the new features rolling out with the March 2023 update (KB5023706) for Windows 11 22H2:

Improves the search box experience on the taskbar. As you type in the search box, search results now appear in the search flyout box. You can also change the search experience you want for your taskbar by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. For commercial customers, this update adds a new policy for IT administrators to manage how the search box on the taskbar appears in your organization. For more information, see Customizing search on the Windows 11 taskbar.

You can now access Windows Studio effects directly from quick settings on the taskbar for devices that have a supported neural processing unit (NPU). This makes it quick and easy to turn on and configure camera effects. These effects include Background blur, Eye contact, Automatic framing, and Audio effects (Voice focus). You can still access these effects in the Settings pages.

Makes it easier to get help if you are having PC issues. You can now find Quick Assist in the Start menu’s All apps list.

Introduces a touch-optimized taskbar for 2-in-1 devices that you can use as a tablet. There are two states of this taskbar: collapsed and expanded. To switch between the two states, swipe up and down on the bottom of your screen. When collapsed in tablet mode, the taskbar recedes to give you more screen space and keeps you from accidentally opening the taskbar. When expanded in tablet mode, the taskbar is optimized to be easier to use with touch. Your taskbar will automatically change to this optimized version when you disconnect or fold back the keyboard. This feature only works on devices that can be used as tablets and is on by default. To change that, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. The setting is called “Optimize taskbar for touch interactions when this device is used as a tablet.” If your company manages Windows updates for your device, this feature will be off by default. Administrators can turn it on using the new commercial control for continuous innovation.

Provides enhanced support for braille devices. They will continue working while you switch between Microsoft Narrator and third-party screen readers. Narrator will automatically change braille drivers. For more information, see Chapter 8: Using Narrator with braille.

Adds support for new braille displays and new braille input and output languages in Narrator. Some of the new braille displays include the APH Chameleon, the APH Mantis Q40, the NLS eReader, and many more. For more information, see Chapter 8: Using Narrator with braille.

Windows now provides energy recommendations. If you use them, they can help to improve the energy efficiency of your PC and reduce your carbon footprint. Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery > Energy Recommendations.

For devices that are joined to Azure Active Directory (AAD), Windows now provides AI-powered recommended content on your Start menu. On the Start menu, you will find content to help you to prepare for meetings, quickly access files you’re collaborating on, and more.

Enhances the system tray. All icons will have a rounded focus and hover treatment in the lower right, including the “Show hidden icons” flyout menu. You can move icons to rearrange them in the “Show hidden icons” flyout menu or move icons to the taskbar.

This update makes voice access more flexible and supports interaction with more user interface (UI) controls. For example, voice now interacts with controls that contain: Names that have numbers, such as “Click 5.” Names without whitespaces between them, such as “click PivotTable” or “click PivotChart.” Names that have special characters, such as Bluetooth & devices (“click Bluetooth and devices”) or Dial – up (“click dial hyphen up”).

Voice now supports spin controls, thumb controls, and split buttons. You interact with these controls by using the “click” command or number overlays. This update also addresses issues that affect snapping commands that snap a window left or right. Commands that move the cursor in a text box now run instantly.

This update also provides voice scrolling enhancements. You can use voice to scroll to the extreme left and right on a page. You can also use continuous scrolling to the left or right like what is already present for vertical scrolling. For more information about the new voice access commands, see Voice access command list.

This update makes enhancements to Task Manager. These include: Filtering—You can now filter processes using the binary name, PID, or publisher name. The filter also applies when you switch between pages. The keyboard shortcut is ALT+F. More theme options—You can now choose a theme for Task Manager that is different from the Windows theme. Also, all dialogs, except for Run new task and the Properties dialog, now support themes. The dialogs will use app-specific themes or the Windows theme. Efficiency mode—You can now opt out of confirmation dialogs when you turn on Efficiency mode.

Addresses an issue that affects the Color filters setting. When you select Inverted, the system sets it to Grayscale instead.

Addresses an issue that affects IE mode. The text on the status bar is not always visible.

Addresses an issue that displays a blue screen during video playback. This occurs after you set high dynamic range (HDR) on your display.

Addresses an issue that might affect the touch keyboard and the PIN entry keyboard. You might not be able to use them to enter text when you sign in to your device.

Addresses an issue that affects which folders appear in the Browse for Folder picker.

Addresses an issue that affects File Explorer. When you use Shift+Tab or Shift+F6, the input focus does not move.

Addresses an issue that affects the user interface (UI). The volume up and volume down commands from a Bluetooth keyboard do not display.

Addresses an issue that affects Xbox subscribers. If you purchased an Xbox subscription using the “Redeem code” option, you cannot see the Xbox subscription card on the Settings Accounts page. This occurs when recurring billing is off.

Windows 11 22H2 moment 2 update fixes

The build 22621.1413 introduces these fixes:

Implements phase three of Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) hardening.After you install this update, you cannot turn off the changes using the registry key.

Addresses an issue that affects a computer account and Active Directory. When you reuse an existing computer account to join an Active Directory domain, joining fails. This occurs on devices that have installed Windows updates dated October 11, 2022 or later. The error message is, “Error 0xaac (2732): NERR_AccountReuseBlockedByPolicy: ‘An account with the same name exists in Active Directory. Re-using the account was blocked by security policy.’”

Adds the new Tamil Anjal keyboard for the Tamil language. To add it, make sure Tamil (Singapore), Tamil (Malaysia), Tamil (Sri Lanka), or Tamil (India) appears in Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region. Select the ellipses (…) next to the language. Select Language Options. Add Tamil Anjal (QWERTY) to the list of keyboards.

Improves the reliability of Windows after you install an update.

Affects the United Mexican States. This update supports the government’s daylight saving time change order for 2023.

Addresses a date information issue. It affects the format of dates sent between Windows and some versions of the Heimdal Kerberos library.

Addresses compatibility issues that affect some printers. These printers use Windows Graphical Device Interface (GDI) printer drivers. These drivers do not completely adhere to GDI specifications.

Addresses an issue that affects the software keyboard. It does not appear in the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) after a Push-button reset (factory reset). This type of reset requires an external keyboard to be attached to provide credentials.

Addresses an issue that affects AppV. It stops file names from having the correct letter case (uppercase or lowercase).

Addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge. The issue removes conflicting policies for Microsoft Edge. This occurs when you set the MDMWinsOverGPFlag in a Microsoft Intune tenant and Intune detects a policy conflict.

Addresses an issue that affects provisioning packages. They fail to apply in certain circumstances when elevation is required.

Addresses an issue that affects Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). Using a provisioning package for bulk provisioning fails.

Addresses an issue that affects Universal Print’s Configuration Service Provider (CSP). A command prompt window appears when you install a printer.

Addresses a reliability issue that occurs when you use Task View.

Addresses an issue that might affect lsass.exe. It might stop responding. This occurs when it sends a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) query to a domain controller that has a very large LDAP filter.

Addresses an issue that affects the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). LSASS might stop responding. This occurs after you run Sysprep on a domain-joined machine.

Addresses an issue that affects copying from a network to a local drive. Copying is slower than expected for some users.

Addresses an issue that affects parity virtual disks. Using Server Manager to create them fails.

The new features are now available for devices enrolled in the Stable Channels. In the case that you want to update to Windows 11 build 22621.1413 immediately, click the download and install button from the “Windows Update” settings page. If you are still in the original version of Windows 11, you can use these instructions to upgrade to version 22H2.