Microsoft's latest security update for Windows 11 is here.
The tech giant recently released its KB5025239 cumulative update to fix various security vulnerabilities and make changes, improvements, and fix bugs in the OS.
Since the update contains security vulnerabilities, Microsoft deemed the update mandatory for all Windows 11 users.
Windows 11 Vs. Windows 10 Windows 11 operating system logo is displayed on a laptop screen for illustration photo. Gliwice, Poland on January 23, 2022. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Windows 11 KB5025239 Cumulative Update Details
Microsoft mentioned on its support page that the update comes with improvements that were a part of update KB5023778, which it released on Mar. 28. However, the fixes to various security issues for Windows 11 remain the highlight of this latest update.
Unfortunately, Microsoft didn't mention the issues KB5025239 fixes when Windows 11 users download it. As such, it's difficult to pinpoint which security issues the update fixes and what it doesn't fix.
Meanwhile, a Bleeping Computer report mentioned that the update would make 25 changes to Windows 11 and that it would fix 97 vulnerabilities in various Microsoft products.
Let's start with the new stuff KB5025239 introduces. For instance, the update implements the new Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) as a Windows inbox feature, providing Windows 11 users the ability to manage the password of a specified local administrator account by rotating the password and backing it up to Active Directory regularly, per Microsoft.
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KB5025239 also comes with fixes for a compatibility issue caused by an incompatible use of the Windows Registry and the issue causing Microsoft PowerPoint to stop responding when using accessibility tools. It also contains fixes for the bugs that prevent Windows Notepad from displaying all available Settings options and classify USB printers as multimedia devices.
Microsoft also added notifications to the Windows Start Menu for a limited amount of Windows 11 users, though the company says it would show different visual treatments as they test the new feature. The company also made the search box on the taskbar lighter when users set Windows 11 to a custom color mode (like using dark mode and setting apps to light mode simultaneously).
Interestingly, Microsoft also improved its Microsoft Narrator to have it read dropdown lists in Microsoft Excel as well.
KB5025239 Issues, How To Download
Much like Microsoft's previous updates, KB5025239 comes with a few known issues it couldn't fix in the mean time, though the company does provide steps on how to work around them if need be. These issues include provisioning packages not working as expected, slow copy speeds when copying multiple-gigabyte files over SMB, and boot issues when using third-party user interface customization apps.
The provisioning packages issue can be worked around by provisioning the Windows device before upgrading to Windows 11, while the slow copy speeds could be mitigated by using file copy tools that do not use cache manager.
Last but not least, getting the version of ExplorerPatcher and StartAllBack that solves the issue serves as a decent workaround.
Windows 11 users can install the KB5025239 cumulative update by opening the Settings app, going to the Windows Update tab, and clicking on "Check for Updates."
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