A new non-security update “KB5017383” is now available for Windows 11, version 21H2 with several new features and major improvements. One may download this update either via Windows Update or Update Catalog. We have included direct links to this cumulative update as well in this guide.
KB5017383 won’t install automatically on your computer as this is a non-security cumulative update. If you do find this update interesting, you may install it manually on your PC. If you are not willing to upgrade your device to Windows 11, version 22H2, this is a good update for you. This is because it introduces one key feature from version 22H2. Find more about it in the below sections.
Note: As this is a very big update and is more focused on resolving existing issues, you may skip this update as well. However, if you do feel this update is for you, go ahead and upgrade your operating system to OS Build 22000.1042.
Direct Download Links to Windows 11 KB5017383
If you are willing to upgrade your Windows 11, version 21H2 to OS Build 22000.1042, download the update using the direct links provided below.
The above links are taken from Microsoft Update Catalog for KB5017383. You may navigate to this link as well, pick an update based on your system architecture, and hit the Download button. On the succeeding window, click the top link and the chosen update will download in the .msu file format.
Alternatively, you may open Windows Update under Settings and hit the Check for update button. The system will check for this update and download/install it on your computer.
KB5017383 Changelog
This new patch introduces two new features on your Windows 11, version 21H2. They are as follows –
WebAuthn redirection:
One may now authenticate apps and other websites to be used without any password while you are using Remote Desktop. For enabling it, one may use Windows Hello or security devices, such as Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) keys.
More dynamic widgets:
Microsoft added several new widgets to the taskbar. Users may now turn on getting notification badges for apps available on the taskbar. When you hover your mouse over the Widgets board, you will see a banner at the top of the board. Here, one can see more information about what triggered the notification badge.
The dynamic widgets were earlier thought a thing of Windows 11 22H2. However, with the KB5017383 update, Microsoft backported this new feature to version 21h2 as well.
In addition to these two new features, the tech giant resolves several pending issues on Windows 11, version 21H2. A list of all such bug fixes is provided in the below section.
Bug Fixes on this Non-Security update
This non-security update addresses the following bugs and issues on your computer –
- Works upon an issue that forces the IE mode tabs in a session to reload on Microsoft Edge.
- Fixes a known issue where you can’t open a PDF file while remaining in IE mode. Users may now open a different page using the same browser window. And, the page will open successfully in that browser window.
- Resolves an issue that requires users to reinstall an app if they did not get the app from the Microsoft Store. This problem was occurring when you upgrade your operating system to a newer Build version.
- Addresses a rare error on Windows 11 that turns your display screen Blue. This problem occurred when you use more than one display and opt to change the display mode.
- Earlier, when you use a pen to turn on high dynamic range (HDR), your display screen turns black. Microsoft addresses this issue as well using KB5017383.
- You may now easily switch between different apps without worrying about the Touch keyboard closing immediately afterward.
To view all fixes and other improvements on Windows 11, version 21H2, see the release note.
Known Issue with this update
After you install this update, file copies using Group Policy Preferences might fail or might create empty shortcuts or files using 0 (zero) bytes.
According to Microsoft, KB5017383 affects Group Policy Objects which are related to files and shortcuts lying on this path.
User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings
To mitigate this issue, one may open the affected Group Policy and change “Action” from “Replace” to “Update”. In case a wildcard (*) is used in the location or destination, you should delete the trailing “\” (backslash, without quotes) from the destination path. Microsoft is still working on a permanent fix to this problem and might release one in future updates.
Is it safe to install KB5017383 on your computer?
As this is a non-security update, you may skip downloading and installing this patch update. We suggest going through the bug fixes on this cumulative update and checking if this resolves any issue that you are currently facing. If it does feel worth installing, go ahead and upgrade your operating system to the OS Build 22000.1042.