Windows 11 update settings

Windows 11 update history tracker

Windows 11 update history information helps you know exactly what's the latest version and current update release.

UPDATED 3/21/2024: Microsoft provides different Windows 11, including “quality updates” and “feature updates,” to fix security vulnerabilities, resolve bugs, improve system performance, and deliver new features. Since updates can be challenging to track, this guide will help you understand the difference between quality and feature updates. You’ll also find the history of every update for Windows 11 grouped by releases accompanied by details, such as build and knowledge base (KB) number, release date, and release number.

Windows 11 quality vs. feature update

Quality updates (“cumulative updates”) are those updates that Windows 11 downloads every month through Windows Update. These updates are cumulative and include the new fixes and enhancements and the previously available patches (if the computer needs them).

Typically, Microsoft releases these maintenance updates every second Tuesday of the month. It is also referred to as “Patch Tuesday” or “Update Tuesday.” Internally, these updates are known as the “B” release because they roll out during the second week of the month. These types of updates include security fixes and non-security fixes.

In addition to the B release, Microsoft also makes two more updates available, including the “C” and “D” releases that become available in the third and fourth week of the month. These updates are optional and contain non-security fixes expected to arrive in the next Patch Tuesday update. (Starting in April 2023, Windows will receive optional updates during the fourth week of the month. The new schedule replaces the “C” and “D” updates with the “optional non-security preview release.”)

Microsoft also provides updates outside the regular schedule, referred to as “on-demand updates.” Usually, these are emergency releases containing fixes that can’t wait for the next monthly update.

Finally, there are the “optional updates,” which are updates that are not critical but may be necessary for other functionalities. Usually, these updates include packages for Microsoft and non-Microsoft products and third-party drivers (such as printers, cameras, and network adapters).

Feature updates are released once a year, and they represent new versions of Windows 11. Unlike quality updates, they include new features and enhancements and require reinstallation.

Furthermore, these new versions of Windows are optional, meaning that they don’t automatically download and install until you trigger the process manually through Windows Update. However, the upgrade will automatically happen if you have a version nearing the end of service.

Microsoft makes new versions of Windows 11 available during the fall.

Windows 11 current version

Windows 11 version 23H2 is the latest release today. It’s the second feature update and has been available since October 31, 2023. The latest quality update is “build 22631.3296.” You can use these instructions to check the version installed on your computer. Use these instructions to determine the quality updates that have already been applied to your computer.

Below is the latest Windows 11 update history information for version 22H2 and other releases.

Windows 11 23H2 update history 

Windows 11 version 23H2 is the second version of the operating system released on October 31, 2023.

In this section, you’ll find the history of all the quality updates and links to the details about each quality update. 

If you have already installed the new feature update, the initial release was “build 22631.2715,” and the latest version is Windows 11 build 22631.3371

Release dateBuild numberKnowledge BaseNotes
9March 21, 202422631.3371 (Preview)KB5035942 Release Preview
Lock screen widgets.
Enable NPUs in Task Manager.
Fixes.
8March 12, 202422631.3296KB5034848 March Patch Tuesday
Moment 5 update
Automatic update.
DMA changes for EU users.
7February 29, 202422631.3235 (Preview)KB5034848 Stable Channel
Moment 5 update
6February 13, 202422631.3155KB5034765February Patch Tuesday
Security fixes.
Digital inking for boxes.
Eye Control backup settings.
5January 11, 202422631.3078 (Preview)KB5034204 Release Preview
Fixes.
Digital inking for boxes.
Eye Control backup settings.
4January 9, 202422631.3007KB5034123January Patch Tuesday
Fixes.
Copilot changes.
Spotlight improvements.
New account notifications.
3December 12, 202322631.2861KB5033375 December Patch Tuesday
Fixes.
Copilot changes.
Spotlight improvements.
New account notifications.
2December 4, 202322631.2792 (Preview)KB5032288Fixes.
DMA EA changes.
1November 14, 202322631.2715KB5032190 November Patch Tuesday
First official update.
Security fixes.
All 23H2 features.

Check the Windows Insider Program build release history for version 23H2.

Windows 11 22H2 update history 

Windows 11 version 22H2 is the first feature update of the OS, which was released on September 20, 2022.

In this section, you’ll find the history of all the quality updates and links to the details about each quality update. 

If you have already installed the new feature update, the initial release was “build 22621.382,” and the latest version is Windows 11 build 22621.3371

Release dateBuild numberKnowledge BaseNotes
48Match 21, 202422631.3371 (Preview)KB5035942 Release Preview
Lock screen widgets.
Enable NPUs in Task Manager.
Fixes.
47Match 12, 202422621.3296KB5035853March Patch Tuesday
Moment 5 update.
Automatic update.
DMA changes for EU users.
46February 29, 202422621.3235KB5034848 Stable Channel.
Moment 5 update
On February 27, Microsoft extended optional non-security updates for version 22H2 until June 26, 2025 for Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions.
45February 13, 202422621.3155KB5034765February Patch Tuesday
Security fixes.
Digital inking for boxes.
Eye Control backup settings.
44January 11, 202422621.3078 (Preview)KB5034204 Release Preview
Fixes.
Digital inking for boxes.
Eye Control backup settings.
43January 9, 202422621.3007KB5034123January Patch Tuesday
Fixes.
Copilot changes.
Spotlight improvements.
New account notifications.
42December 12, 202322621.2861KB5033375 December Patch Tuesday
Fixes.
Copilot changes.
Spotlight improvements.
New account notifications.
41December 4, 202322631.2792 (Preview)KB5032288Fixes.
DMA EA changes.
40November 14, 202322621.2715KB5032190 November Patch Tuesday
Security fixes.
All 23H2 features.
39October 26, 202322621.2506 (Preview)KB5031455Stable Channel.
Fixes.
All 23H2 features.
38October 13, 202322621.2500KB5031455Release Preview.
Fixes.
Search gleam update.
37October 10, 202322621.2428KB5031354Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New Copilot.
New File Explorer.
New Windows Backup.
New Dynamic Lighting.
Updated Paint.
Updated Snipping Tool.
Updated Clipchamp.
Updated Photos.
36September 26, 202322631.2361 (Preview)KB5030310Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New Copilot.
New File Explorer.
New Windows Backup.
New Dynamic Lighting.
Updated Paint.
Updated Snipping Tool.
Updated Clipchamp.
Updated Photos.
35September 12, 202322621.2283KB5030219Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New options.
New changes.
34August 22, 202322621.2215 (Preview)KB5029351Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New options.
New changes.
33August 10, 202322621.2213 (Preview)KB5029351Release Preview.
Fixes.
New options.
New changes.
32August 8, 202322621.2134KB5029263Stable Channel.
Fixes.
31July 26, 202322621.2070 (Preview)KB5028254Stable Channel.
Fixes.
30July 13, 202322621.2066 (Preview)KB5028254Release Preview.
Fixes.
29July 11, 202322621.1992KB5028185Stable Channel.
Enablement package.
Moment 3.
Fixes.
Taskbar seconds.
Taskbar VPN shield.
New Settings changes.
Kiosk multi-mode.
Live Captions in more regions.
Voice Access changes.
28June 27, 202322621.1928 (Preview)KB5027303Stable Channel.
Enablement package.
Moment 3.
Fixes.
Taskbar seconds.
Taskbar VPN shield.
New Settings changes.
Kiosk multi-mode.
Live Captions in more regions.
Voice Access changes.
27June 20, 202322621.1926 (Preview)KB5027303Release Preview.
Enablement package.
Moment 3.
Fixes.
Taskbar seconds.
Taskbar VPN shield.
New Settings changes.
Kiosk multi-mode.
Live Captions in more regions.
Voice Access changes.
26June 13, 202322621.1848KB5027231Stable Channel.
Automatic rollout.
Moment 3.
Fixes.
Taskbar seconds.
Taskbar VPN shield.
New Settings changes.
Kiosk multi-mode.
Live Captions in more regions.
Voice Access changes.
25May 24, 202322621.1778KB5026446Stable Channel.
Moment 3.
Fixes.
Taskbar seconds.
Taskbar VPN shield.
New Settings changes.
Kiosk multi-mode.
Live Captions in more regions.
Voice Access changes.
24May 11, 202322621.1776KB5026446Release Preview.
Moment 3.
Fixes.
Taskbar seconds.
Taskbar VPN shield.
New Settings changes.
Kiosk multi-mode.
Live Captions in more regions.
Voice Access changes.
23May 9, 202322621.1702KB5026372Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New firewall settings.
Widgets animations.
Windows Update new option.
22April 25, 202322621.1635 (Preview)KB5025305Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New firewall settings.
Widgets animations.
Windows Update new option.
21April 13, 202322621.1631 (Preview)KB5025305Release Preview.
Fixes.
New firewall settings.
Widgets animations.
20April 11, 202322621.1555KB5025239Stable Channel.
Bing AI on Taskbar.
Profile menu backup option.
Taskbar search tweaks.
Security fixes.
19March 28, 202322621.1485 (Preivew)KB5023778Stable Channel.
Bing AI on Taskbar.
Profile menu backup option.
Taskbar search tweaks.
non-security fixes.
18March 22, 202322621.1483 (Preivew)KB5023778Release Preview.
Bing AI on Taskbar.
Profile menu backup option.
Taskbar search tweaks.
non-security fixes.
18March 14, 202322621.1413KB5023706Stable Channel.
Moment 2 update.
Bing AI on Taskbar.
Taskbar for tablets.
Settings changes.
Visual changes.
Built-in app updates.
Security fixes.
17February 28, 202322621.1344 (Preview)KB5022913Stable Channel.
Feature drop update.
Bing AI on Taskbar.
Taskbar for tablets.
Settings changes.
Visual changes.
Built-in app updates.
Fixes.
16February 22, 202322621.1343 (Preview)KB5022913Release Preview.
Feature drop update.
Bing AI on Taskbar.
Taskbar for tablets.
Settings changes.
Visual changes.
Built-in app updates.
Fixes.
15February 14, 202322621.1265KB5022845Stable Channel.
Security fixes.
14January 26, 202322621.1194 (Preview)KB5022360Stable Channel.
Fixes.
.NET Framework update optional.
13January 17, 202322621.1192 (Preview)KB5022360Release Preview.
Fixes.
.NET Framework update optional.
12January 10, 202322621.1105KB5022303Stable Channel.
Fixes.
11December 13, 202222621.963KB5021255Stable Channel.
OneDrive settings warning.
Spotlight on Themes.
Fixes.
10November 30, 202222621.900 (Preview)KB5020044Release Preview.
OneDrive settings warning.
Spotlight on Themes.
Fixes.
9November 18, 202222621.898 (Preview)KB5020044Release Preview.
OneDrive settings warning.
Spotlight on Themes.
Fixes.
8November 8, 202222621.819KB5019980 Stable Channel.
Task Manager in Taskbar menu.
Search visual changes.
MSA tweaks.
7October25, 202222621.755 (Preview)KB5018496Stable Channel.
Task Manager in Taskbar menu.
Search visual changes.
MSA tweaks.
6October 19, 202222621.754 (Preview)KB5018496Release Preview.
Task Manager in Taskbar menu.
Search visual changes.
MSA tweaks.
5October 18, 202222621.675KB5019509Moment 1 (October)
Stable Channel.
Optional install.
4October 13, 202222621.675KB5019509Release Preview.
Enables Oct. features.
3October 11, 202222621.674KB5018427Stable Channel.
Fixes.
Badge notifications.
2September 30, 202222621.608 (Preview)KB5017389Stable Channel.
Optional.
Fixes.
1September 22, 202222621.607 (Preview)KB5017389Release Preview.
Fixes.

Windows 11 21H2 update history 

Windows 11 version 21H2 (original release) is the first version of the OS, which was released on October 5, 2021.

In this section, you’ll find the history of all the quality updates and links to the details about each quality update. 

If you have already installed the new feature update, the initial release was “build 22000.194,” and the latest version is Windows 11 build 22000.2538

Release dateBuild numberKnowledge BaseNotes
67January 9, 202422000.2713KB5034121January Patch Tuesday
Fixes.
66December 12, 202322000.2652KB5033369December Patch Tuesday
Fixes.
65October 10, 202322000.2538KB5031358Stable Channel.
Fixes.
64September 26, 202322000.2482KB5030301Stable Channel.
Fixes.
63September 12, 202322000.2416KB5030217 Stable Channel.
Fixes.
62August 22, 202322000.2360 (Preview)KB5029332Stable Channel.
Fixes.
61August 10, 202322000.2359 (Preview)KB5029332Release Preview.
Fixes.
60August 8, 202322000.2295KB5029253Stable Channel.
Fixes.
59July 25, 202322000.2245 (Preview)KB5028245Stable Channel.
Fixes.
58July 13, 202322000.2243 (Preview)KB5028245Release Preview.
Fixes.
57July 11, 202322000.2176KB5028185 Stable Channel.
Fixes.
56June 29, 202322000.2124 (Preview)KB5027292Stable Channel.
Fixes.
55June 15, 202322000.2121 (Preview)KB5027292Release Preview.
Fixes.
54June 13, 202322000.2057KB5027223Stable Channel.
Fixes.
53May 23, 202322000.2003KB5026436 Stable Channel.
Fixes.
52May 12, 202322000.2001KB5026436 Release Preview.
Fixes.
51May 9, 202322000.1936KB5026368Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New firewall settings.
50April 25, 202322000.1880 (Preview)KB5025298Stable Channel.
Fixes.
New firewall settings.
49April 13, 202322000.1879 (Preview)KB5025298Release Preview.
Fixes.
New firewall settings.
48April 11, 202322000.1817KB5025224Stable Channel.
Fixes.
47March 28, 202322000.1761 (Preview)KB5023774Stable Channel.
Fixes.
47March 17, 202322000.1757 (Preview)KB5023774Release Preview.
Fixes.
46March 14, 202322000.1696KB5023698 Stable Channel.
AI facial recognition.
Fixes.
45February 21, 202322000.1641 (Preview)KB5022905Stable Channel.
Fixes.
Spotlight changes.
44February 16, 202322000.1639 (Preview)KB5022905Release Preview.
Fixes.
Spotlight changes.
43February 14, 202322000.1574KB5022845Stable Channel.
Fixes.
42January 19, 202322000.1516 (Preview)KB5019274Stable Channel.
Fixes.
41January 17, 202322000.1515 (Preview)KB5019274Release Preview.
Fixes.
Accounts settings update.
Themes settings update.
40January 10, 202322000.1455KB5022287Stable Channel.
Fixes.
39December 13, 202222000.1335KB5021234 Stable Channel.
Fixes.
38November 15, 202222000.1281 (Preview)KB5019157Stable Channel.
Fixes.
Quick Assist app.
37November 10, 202222000.1279 (Preview)KB5019157RP.
Fixes.
Quick Assist app.
36November 8, 202222000.1219KB5018483Stable Channel.
Task Manager option.
Better search.
Fixes.
35October 25, 202222000.1165 (Preview)KB5018483Stable Channel.
Task Manager option.
Better search.
Fixes.
34October 17, 202222000.1100 (Out-of-band)KB5020387Stable Ch.
Network fix.
33October 11, 202222000.1098KB5018418Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Widgets dynamic content.
32September 20, 202222000.1042 (Preview)KB5017383Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Widgets dynamic content.
31September 13, 202222000.978KB5017328Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Remote language install.
SMB new policy.
Defender improvements.
30August 26, 202222000.918 (Preview)KB5016691Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Remote language install.
SMB new policy.
Defender improvements.
29August 16, 202222000.917 (Preview)KB5016691RP.
Fixes.
Remote language install.
SMB new policy.
Defender improvements.
28August 9, 202222000.856KB5016629Stable Ch.
Fixes.
OOBE upgrade option.
Start menu fixes.
27July 15, 202222000.829KB5015882RP.
Fixes.
OOBE upgrade option.
26July 12, 202222000.795KB5015814Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Search highlights.
25June 23, 202222000.778 (Preview)KB5014668Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Search highlights.
24June 21, 202222000.740 (Out-of-band)KB5016138Stable Ch.
Azure ARM problem fix.
23June 17, 202222000.776 (Preview)KB5014668RP Ch.
Fixes.
Search highlights.
22June 14, 202222000.739KB5014697Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Spotlight for desktop.
21May 25, 202222000.708 (Preview)KB5014019Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Spotlight for desktop.
20May 19, 202222000.706 (Preview)KB5014019RP Ch.
Fixes.
Spotlight for desktop.
19May 10, 202222000.675KB5013943Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Secure Boot changes.
18April 25, 202222000.652 (Preview)KB5012643Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Secure Boot changes.
17April 14, 202222000.651 (Preview)KB5012643RP Ch.
Fixes.
Secure Boot changes.
16April 12, 202222000.613KB5012592Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Notifications changes.
15March 15, 202222000.593 (Preview)KB5011563 Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Notifications changes.
14March 15, 202222000.588 (Preview)KB5011563 Beta and RP Ch.
Fixes.
Notifications changes.
13March 8, 202222000.556KB5011493Stable Ch.
Fixes.
12February 15, 202222000.527 (Preview)KB5010414Stable Ch.
Fixes.
Taskbar features.
Hello for Business.
11February 10, 202222000.526 (Preview)KB5010414Beta and RP Ch.
Fixes.
Taskbar features.
Hello for Business.
10February 8, 202222000.493KB5010386Fixes.
Your Microsoft Account.
Bing "Help with."
9January 25, 202222000.469 (Preview)KB5008353 Fixes.
Your Microsoft Account.
Bing "Help with."
8January 14, 202222000.466 (Preview)KB5008353 Fixes.
7January 17, 202222000.438 (Out-of-band)KB5010795 VPN Fix.
ReFS fix.
6January 11, 202222000.434KB5009566 Fixes.
5December 14, 202122000.376KB5008215 Fixes.
Emoji update.
Focus assist tweak.
4November 22, 202122000.348 (Preview)KB5007262 Fixes.
3November 9, 202122000.318KB5007215 Initial release.
Fixes.
2October 21, 202122000.282 (Preview)KB5007215 Fixes.
1October 12, 202122000.258KB5006674Initial release.
Fixes.

Install quality updates on Windows 11

To download and install the latest updates on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Windows Update.

  3. Click the “Check for updates” button.

    Windows 11 updates download

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install all the available updates on your device.

Install optional updates on Windows 11

To download and install optional updates on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Windows Update.

  3. Click the Advanced options page on the right side.

    Advanced options

  4. Under the “Advanced options” section, click the “Optional updates” tab.

    Optional updates

  5. Check the optional updates to download.

  6. Click the “Download and install” button.

Once you complete the steps, the package you selected will download and install automatically on the computer.

About the author

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.