Robi Maddison Tech 08.26.2022 05:Aug AM EDT

Microsoft Releases Optional KB5016691 Preview Cumulative Update for Windows 11: Here's What to Expect

Windows KB5012170 Secure Boot Update is Causing Some Issues for Users

(Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI / Getty Images)

A new optional update was released by Microsoft on Thursday. Do you need it?

Windows 11 KB5016691 Preview Cumulative Update

The cumulative update for Windows 11 known as KB5016691 Preview was released by Microsoft. There are 22 fixes or improvements in this optional update.

Security fixes are not included in preview updates. They are therefore optional and won't be automatically installed, according to a news story by Bleepingcomputer.

There Is a Known Issues in This Update

However, Microsoft said that there is a known issue after installing this optional update.

The tech giant warned that some non-English language XML Paper Specification (XPS) documents may not be able to be opened by XPS Viewer after installing this update. Some Japanese and Chinese character encodings included.

Both Open XML Paper Specification (OXPS) and XML Paper Specification (XPS) files are impacted by this problem.

Microsoft stated that it is working on a fix and would offer an update in a subsequent release.

Here's the Key Changes That You Can Expect With Update

As previously mentioned, there are 22 total improvements or fixes to the optional update. Below are some of the highlights of the update:

Enables IT administrators to add languages and language-related features remotely. Now they can manage language scenarios between various endpoint managers (new with this update).
If Server Message Block (SMB) Compression is enabled, it compresses a file no matter how big it is (new with this update).
Improves the capability of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to recognize and block ransomware and sophisticated threats (new with this update).
[Fixed] ServerAssignedConfigurations being null in a few full configuration scenarios
[Fixed] Automatic high dynamic range (Auto HDR) feature for cross-adapter resource scan-out (CASO)-capable GPU drivers
[Fixed] Microsoft Edge stops responding when you use IE mode. This issue also prevents you from interacting with a dialog
[Fixed] Problem in opening virtualized App-V Microsoft Office applications
[Fixed] Possible deployment of the Windows Hello for Business certificate to fail in certain circumstances after you reset a device
[Fixed] Multiple USB printing issues
[Fixed] Issue with ProjectionManager.StartProjectingAsync API
[Fixed] Issue that degrades BitLocker performance
[Fixed] Windows 11 SE is preventing from trusting some Microsoft Store applications
[Fixed] HyperVisor Code Integrity was being prevented from being enabled automatically on systems that have Arm64 processors
[Fixed] Non-Windows devices stop authenticating.
[Fixed] Take a Test app removes all policies related to lockdown enforcement when you close the app
[Fixed] Certain Bluetooth audio headsets stops playing after a progress bar adjustment

How To Install This Update

You can install the KB5016691 Preview cumulative update by following these steps:

Go to Settings
Select Update & Security
Choose Windows Update
Find Optional updates
Download and install the update

You can install this update manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

However, Microsoft said that these changes will not be available for Windows Update for Business, at least for now, since it will be included in the next security update.