- 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 July 9, 2024: Microsoft is now making the Stable Channel preview update KB5040442 for Windows 1123H2 and 22H2 available for optional installation. Numerous non-security updates and enhancements to current functionality are included in this version.
Version numbers for 23H2 and 22H2 have been bumped to build 22631.3880 and 22621.3880, respectively, by the update KB5040442. A new Copilot integration that functions as a standard app is one of the visual improvements included in this version, according to the official July 9 notes (Stable preview announcement and Release Preview Channelnotes). The Game Pass ad is now displayed on the Home page in the Settings app. By default, the Show desktop button returns to the Taskbar. The latest version of File Explorer comes with new emojis for Emoji 15.1 and a guide to build TAR, 7z, and Zip files.
A newCopyoption to copy files from the Shareinterface is also included in releases 22631.3880 and 22621.3880, along with a number of non-security updates.
Windows 11 July 2024 update preview changes
The July 2024 Patch Tuesday Update is anticipated to bring the following updates and fixes:
Copilot AI app
Microsoft is replacing the Copilot integration in Windows 11 with a web application that can be resized and moved around like any other application, resembling the ChatGPT web app from OpenAI, starting with the update KB5040442.
The button in the System Tray will no longer be accessible after this modification, which will pin the application to the Taskbar. Now, the Show desktop button is located in the Taskbar’s lower right corner.
Additionally, since the chatbot AI is no longer built into the operating system, the Copilot option is no longer available on the Taskbar settings page. This implies that the chatbot’s ability to modify system settings will be terminated.
Importantly, Microsoft intends to release Copilot suggestions, a new AI integration that will be integrated directly into the system apps, including the Settings app, File Explorer, and others, in future updates. The company will continue to maintain the app for accessing the chatbot.
File Explorer creates archival formats
Additionally, this update adds a new wizard that lets you produce archival formats like Zip, 7z, and TAR without requiring third-party software.
Among other options, the wizard lets you select the format, compression level, and compression technique. Nevertheless, this approach does not allow you to encrypt the archive or set a password.
I’ve previously written a tutorial that explains how to use this new wizard to produce TAR, 7z, and Zip files.
To further aid in item identification, this edition features a black border around the choices.
Task Manager improvements
A few enhancements to the Task Manager are included in this deployment. The DDR memory speed, for instance, is now MT/s instead of MHz.
This tweak may not seem like much, but it can have a big impact on how users monitor system performance. To put things in perspective, there are two ways to gauge the speed of DDR memory: MHz (Megahertz) and MT/s (Megatransfers Per Second). However, they are quite different. The memory’s clock speed, or simply how many times it can change voltage per second, is expressed in MHz. However, MT/s shows the memory’s real data transfer rate, or how much data it can move in a second.
For SDR (Single Data Rate) memory, MHz and MT/s were once interchangeable. Every clock cycle, one data transfer took place. Due to its ability to send data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock cycle, DDR (Double Data Rate) memory practically doubles the data transfer rate when compared to SDRAM at the same MHz.
As a result, the Performance tab will now display the accurate speed in MT/s rather than MHz. For instance, a DDR4 memory module operating at 3200 MHz will now show as 3200 MT/s since, in MHz, the memory is actually operating at 1600 MHz.
In addition to improving efficiency while sorting processes, Task Manager now releases processes faster when you stop them. It also comes with several accessibility features, like high contrast heatmaps, text scaling, and keyboard focus.
Other changes
Microsoft is launching Emoji version 15.1, which has additional emojis and supports Unicode symbol-like forms for family groupings, on Windows 11 versions 22631.3880 and 22621.3880.
A Copy button to copy files to the clipboard has been added to the Share interface.
OneDrive is now available in Azure Virtual Desktop as a RemoteApp.
Group Policy, Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) and Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) issues, graphics cards that do not enter an idle state, Snipping Tool, Azure Virtual Desktop sessions, touch keyboard, Remote Desktop MultiPoint Server, and the Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) protocol are among the issues repaired by this update.
Other releases
Furthermore, for devices still running version 21H2, Microsoft is also making build 22000.3079 available as the update KB5040431. Only a few changes for the Remote Desktop MultiPoint Server, Windows Installer, Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) protocol, and language and input are included in this release.
It is significant to remember that operating system updates will cease for version 21H2 on October 8, 2024, when it reaches end of service. Upgrading to the most recent version is advised in order to preserve computer support.
Windows 11 July 2024 update install
By activating the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and selecting the “Check for Updates” button via the Stable Channel, you can download this update from the Windows Update settings.
The July 2024 update for versions 23H2 and 22H2 can be downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog website if you would rather install it by hand.
Update July 9, 2024: To guarantee correctness and incorporate the most recent data, this page has been updated. Microsoft also mentions that users are progressively receiving the updated Emoji version, the Game Pass commercial, the show desktop option, and new compression capabilities.