- Microsoft makes available Windows 11 update KB5040442 as a preview for versions 23H2 and 22H2.
- The update brings changes to Copilot AI, Settings app, Share, and more.
- File Explorer gains a new wizard to create TAR, 7z, and Zip archival formats.
- The Task Manager app is also getting updated with various improvements and visual changes.
- This update was previously available in the Release Preview Channel as build 22631.3807 and 22621.3807 and then as an optional update as build 22631.3810 and 22621.3810, and now, they’re rolling out for everyone.
UPDATED 7/9/2024: Microsoft is now rolling out preview update KB5040442 for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 in the Stable Channel as an optional install. This update includes several improvements for existing features and various non-security fixes.
The update KB5040442 bumps the version number to build 22631.3880 and 22621.3880 for versions 23H2 and 22H2, respectively. According to the official July 9 notes (Stable preview announcement and Release Preview Channel notes), this update brings visual changes, including a new Copilot integration that works as a regular app. The Settings app now shows the Game Pass advertisement on the Home page. The Taskbar regains the “Show desktop” button by default. File Explorer now includes a wizard to create TAR, 7z, and Zip files, and the update ships support for Emoji 15.1 with new emojis.
In addition, builds 22631.3880 and 22621.3880 include a new “Copy” option to copy files from the “Share” interface, and there are several non-security fixes.
Windows 11 July 2024 update preview changes
These are the current changes and fixes expected to arrive with the July 2024 Patch Tuesday Update:
Copilot AI app
Starting with the update KB5040442, Microsoft is removing the Copilot integration from Windows 11 and replacing it with a web app that you can resize and move around like a regular application with a design similar to the ChatGPT web app from OpenAI.
This change will pin the app to the Taskbar, and the button in the System Tray will no longer be available. The “Show desktop” button is now back in the bottom right of the Taskbar.
Furthermore, the “Taskbar” setting page now removes the Copilot option since the chatbot AI is no longer integrated into the operating system. This means that the chatbot will no longer be able to change system settings.
It’s important to note that this is not the end of Copilot since the company will keep the app to access the chatbot, and in future updates, Microsoft plans to release “Copilot suggestions,” which is a new AI integration that will be embedded directly into the system apps, such as the Settings app, File Explorer, and others.
File Explorer creates archival formats
This update also introduces a new wizard that allows you to create archival formats, such as TAR, 7z, and Zip, without the need for third-party software.
The wizard allows you to choose the format, compression level, and compression method, among other settings. However, you cannot use this solution to add a password and encryption for the archive.
I have already created a guide with the instructions to create TAR, 7z, and Zip files using this new wizard.
In addition, this release has a black border when selecting items to make it easier to identify the selection.
Task Manager improvements
In this rollout, the Task Manager includes a few improvements. For example, the DDR memory speed has changed from MHz to MT/s.
While seemingly small, this change can significantly impact users’ monitoring of system performance. For a little context, MHz (Megahertz) and MT/s (Megatransfers Per Second) are two ways to measure the speed of DDR memory, but they represent slightly different things. MHz refers to the memory’s clock speed, essentially how many times it can change voltage per second. On the other hand, MT/s reflects the actual data transfer rate of the memory, indicating how much data it can move per second.
Previously, MHz and MT/s were identical for SDR (Single Data Rate) memory. One data transfer happened per clock cycle. However, things changed with DDR (Double Data Rate) since this type of memory can transfer data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock cycle, effectively doubling the data transfer rate compared to SDRAM at the same MHz.
This means that the “Performance” tab will now show the correct speed in MT/s instead of MHz. For example, a 3200 MHz DDR4 memory module will now appear as 3200 MT/s because in MHz, technically, the memory is running at 1600 MHz.
Task Manager now releases processes more quickly when you stop them, improves performance when changing the sort order of processes, and ships with some accessibility changes, such as keyboard focus, text scaling, and high-contrast heatmaps.
Other changes
On Windows 11 builds 22631.3880 and 22621.3880, Microsoft is shipping Emoji version 15.1 with more emojis and support for Unicode symbol-like shapes for family groupings.
The Share interface now has a “Copy” button to copy files into the clipboard.
You can now use OneDrive as a RemoteApp in Azure Virtual Desktop.
As part of the fixes, this update fixes problems with Group Policy, Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) and Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), graphics cards not entering in idle state, Snipping Tool, Azure Virtual Desktop sessions, touch keyboard, Remote Desktop MultiPoint Server, and Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) protocol.
Other releases
In addition, Microsoft is also making available build 22000.3079 as the update KB5040431 for devices still running version 21H2. This update only includes various fixes for the language and input, Windows Installer, Remote Desktop MultiPoint Server, and Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) protocol.
It’s important to note that version 21H2 will reach the end of service on October 8, 2024, and after this day, the operating system will stop receiving updates. It’s recommended to upgrade to the latest version to maintain the computer support.
Windows 11 July 2024 update install
You can download this update from the “Windows Update” settings by turning on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button through the Stable Channel.
If you prefer manually installing the July 2024 update for versions 23H2 and 22H2, download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
Update July 9, 2024: This page has been updated to ensure accuracy and include the latest information. Microsoft also notes that the Game Pass ad, show desktop option, new compression support, and the new version of Emoji are rolling out gradually to users.
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].