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Windows 11 23H2 Windows 11 23H2 Optional preview
Preview

KB5035942

KB5035942: Cumulative update for Windows 11, version 23H2, March 2024. Voice shortcuts, multi-screen controls and Cloud PC sign-in added

In short

Adds voice-access tools, lock-screen content and Windows 365 features, and addresses issues with Bluetooth removal, USB audio and taskbar labels. It also includes many fixes and quality changes for version 22H2.

Does it affect you? Applies to: For Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2. The 22H2 improvements listed on the page apply to that version; the update is offered for installation through Windows Update as an optional preview.

Build
22631.3374
Restart
Required
Review notes Additional details from the official release notes (1) Read note
  • In detail Windows 11 version 22H2 Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions receive non-security preview updates until June 26, 2024. Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise multi-session editions receive them until June 24, 2025.

The official sources are linked at the end of the page.

What changes

Fixes 22 changes

Settings

Verified in package
  • Settings no longer stops responding when you remove Bluetooth devices.1

Audio

Verified in package
  • USB audio no longer fails on some processors after you pause, play or resume from sleep.2

Taskbar

  • Taskbar app labels are no longer cut off when Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels is set to “When taskbar is full” or “Never.”3

COM+

  • Some apps that depend on the COM+ component no longer stop responding.4

Windows apps and features

  • Some apps and features that became unavailable after a Windows 11 upgrade are addressed by this update.5

CloudAP

For: virtual machines with users signing in and out concurrently

  • A deadlock that could occur when different users signed in and out at the same time on virtual machines is addressed.6

Remote Desktop

Verified in package
  • A network resource can be accessed from a Remote Desktop session when Remote Credential Guard is enabled and the client runs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later.7

Containers

For: users of Windows containers

  • Containers no longer remain stuck at “ContainerCreating.”8
    Applies to containers you create or deploy.

Time service

Verified in package
  • The Windows Settings app now matches the time-service configuration set through mobile device management or Group Policy.9

Task Manager

  • Certain Neural Processing Units appear in Task Manager again.10

Input Method Editors

For: devices using the Japanese or Chinese Input Method Editor

  • The touch keyboard and candidate window for the Japanese and Chinese Input Method Editors appear after a device resumes from Modern Standby.11

LoadImage()

  • Loading a top-down bitmap with a negative height no longer fails with a NULL result.12
    The issue occurs when an app uses LoadImage() to load the bitmap.

Notepad

Verified in package
  • Notepad can print to certain Internet Printing Protocol printers when you use a print support app.13

Windows Defender Application Control

  • Applying more than 32 policies no longer causes a stop error.14
    The issue affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC).

AppLocker

  • Merging rules with an empty collection no longer overwrites the existing rule collection enforcement mode set to “Not Configured.”15

Group Policy service

  • The Group Policy service no longer fails after an audit policy is applied with LGPO.exe.16

Secure Launch

  • Secure Launch runs on processors where it was not working.17

Virtual Remote App

For: users of Virtual Remote App

  • Reliability is improved when a Virtual Remote App product is opened using a custom shell.18

Bluetooth

Verified in package
  • Bluetooth connections with some wireless earbuds are more stable on devices with firmware from April 2023 or later.19

TLS

For: Azure App Services administrators

  • Azure App Services no longer fail in the described TLS 1.3 connection scenario with a third-party LDAP server.20
    The issue occurs when the web server attempts to connect to a third-party Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server.

Active Directory

  • dsamain.exe no longer stops responding while the Knowledge Consistency Checker runs evaluations.21

MSMQ PowerShell module

For: IT administrators using the module

  • The Microsoft Message Queue PowerShell module loads again.22

New features 23 changes

Lock screen

Gradual rollout Verified in package
  • The lock screen can show sports, traffic and finance content alongside weather.23
    Turn it on in Settings > Personalization > Lockscreen.

Voice access

4 items
  • Voice access supports French (France and Canada), German, and Spanish (Spain and Mexico).24
    Windows asks you to download a speech model the first time you enable voice access; if none matches your display language, you can still use English (US).
  • Voice access features, including number and grid overlays, can now be used on multiple displays.25
    Use the display’s assigned letter or NATO phonetic name in commands to switch screens; mouse-grid and drag-and-drop commands also work across displays.
  • You can create custom voice shortcuts to run actions using supported English dialects.26
    Say “what can I say” or “show voice shortcuts,” then use the Voice shortcuts page to create and review commands.
  • You can use voice access to open apps, dictate text, interact with screen elements and give commands to Narrator.27

Narrator

Verified in package 3 items

For: Narrator users

  • You can preview ten natural Narrator voices before downloading them. An internet connection is needed for previews, but downloaded voices work offline.28
    Open Narrator settings with Win+Ctrl+N, choose Add next to Add natural voices, then select and download a voice.
  • In Scan mode, press G or Shift+G to move forward or backward between images on the screen.29
    The command uses the Narrator key+space bar to enter Scan mode.
  • In Microsoft Word, Narrator announces bookmarks and draft or resolved comments, and reports when accessibility suggestions are present.30

Windows share

2 items
  • The apps shown under Share using depend on the account you use to sign in, including which Microsoft Teams contacts appear.31
    A Microsoft account shows Microsoft Teams (free); a Microsoft Entra ID account shows Microsoft Teams (work or school) contacts.
  • You can share using WhatsApp from the Windows share window, or install WhatsApp from that window if it is not already installed.32

Nearby Share

Verified in package 2 items

For: Nearby Share users

  • Turning on Nearby Share from quick settings or Settings also turns on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if they are off. Turning off either connection turns Nearby Share off.33
  • You can give your device a more recognizable name for Nearby Share.34
    Change the name in Settings > System > Nearby sharing.

Snap Layouts

2 items
  • Snap Layouts suggests ways to arrange multiple app windows together.35
  • Hovering over an app’s minimize or maximize button, or pressing Win+Z, opens layout options with app icons.36

Windows 365 Boot

Verified in package 5 items
  • A dedicated mode signs you in to your Windows 365 Cloud PC when you sign in to a company-owned device, using passwordless authentication such as Windows Hello for Business.37
  • A fast account switcher lets you switch profiles and sign in, with options to personalize the username, password and lock-screen picture.38
  • Companies can add their branding to the Windows 365 Boot sign-in screen in shared mode.39
    Company branding is added from Microsoft Intune.
  • A fail-fast mechanism helps identify network issues or incomplete app setup during Cloud PC sign-in.40
  • You can manage sound, display and other settings on your physical PC directly from your Cloud PC.41

Windows 365 Switch

For: Windows 365 users

  • Desktop indicators show “Cloud PC” and “Local PC” when you switch between them.42

Windows Hello for Business

  • IT administrators can use mobile device management to turn off the prompt shown after sign-in to an Entra-joined device.43
    Enable the “DisablePostLogonProvisioning” policy setting; provisioning is then off after sign-in on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.

Remote Desktop Session Host

Verified in package
  • Clipboard redirection can be configured to work in either direction between the local and remote computers.44

Taskbar search

Gradual rollout Verified in package
  • Search highlights are added to the taskbar search box for the European Economic Area.45

Improvements 13 changes

Copilot in Windows

For: users of Copilot in Windows

  • With a local Windows account, you can ask Copilot for help ten times before signing in with a Microsoft or Microsoft Entra ID account.46
    If you do not sign in after the prompt, some Copilot features might not work.

Narrator

For: Narrator users

  • Narrator better detects text, including handwriting, and improves image descriptions. Image descriptions require an internet connection and the relevant Narrator setting.47
    Select an image and press Narrator key+Ctrl+D to try an image description.

Nearby Share

For: Nearby Share users

  • Nearby Share transfers can be faster when both devices are on the same network; the devices no longer have to be on the same private network.48
    Devices can use the same public or private network.

Casting

Verified in package
  • Windows helps you learn about Cast and find nearby displays, including by suggesting Cast while you multitask.49
    The Cast flyout in quick settings offers help finding nearby displays and fixing connections.

Windows 365 Switch

2 items
  • You can disconnect from a Cloud PC using Task view on your local PC. Tooltips explain the disconnect and sign-out options in the Cloud PC Start menu.50
    In Task view, right-click the Cloud PC button and select Disconnect.
  • When connecting to a Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PC, the screen can show connection status and a timeout indicator while you wait. If an error occurs, a button copies the correlation ID.51

Time zones

4 items
  • Windows supports daylight saving time changes in Greenland.52
  • Windows supports daylight saving time changes in Kazakhstan.53
  • Windows supports daylight saving time changes in Samoa.54
  • Windows supports the announced daylight saving time changes in Palestine for 2024 and 2025.55

MSIX applications

  • MSIX app interfaces localize correctly for all languages when you upgrade Windows.56

Mobile operator settings

Verified in package
  • Country and Operator Settings Asset profiles are updated for some mobile operators.57
    Updates Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles.

Servicing stack

  • The servicing stack, which installs Windows updates, receives quality improvements to help devices reliably receive and install updates.58
    The servicing stack update is included with the cumulative update.

Technical details

Data sheet · Security · Downloads · Components Click to collapse or expand

Data sheet

Released
2024-03-26
Classification
Updates
Type
Cumulative update
Restart
Required
Replaces
KB5035853, KB5034848, KB5034765, KB5034204, KB5034123
Replaced by
KB5036893
VersionBuildChannel
23H2 22631.3374 General availability

Security

No vulnerabilities are listed for this update.

Updated components

2,294 files changed since the previous update for the same versions.

Top changed componentsFiles
Settings60
Networking36
Audio23
File Explorer and shell23
Graphics and display23
Remote Desktop22
Bluetooth18
Printing18
Security and sign-in18
Windows Update18
Hyper-V and virtualization14
Secure Boot10

Verified in package: changed files confirm Settings, Audio, Remote Desktop, Time service, Notepad, Bluetooth, Lock screen, Narrator, Nearby Share, Windows 365 Boot, Remote Desktop Session Host, Taskbar search, Casting, Mobile operator settings.

Sources

Updated
Cited passages from Microsoft's official notes (58)
  1. 1. This update addresses an issue that affects the Settings app. It stops responding when you use it to remove Bluetooth devices. support.microsoft.com
  2. 2. This update addresses an issue that affects USB audio. It fails on some processors. This occurs after you pause, play, or resume from sleep. support.microsoft.com
  3. 3. The app labels in the taskbar sometimes do not have the correct length, which cuts off the label text. This occurs when this setting is set to “When taskbar is full” or “Never.” support.microsoft.com
  4. 4. Some applications that depend on it stop responding. support.microsoft.com
  5. 5. This update addresses an issue that stops some apps and features from being available. This occurs after you upgrade to Windows 11. support.microsoft.com
  6. 6. This update addresses a deadlock issue in CloudAP. It occurs when different users sign in and sign out at the same time on virtual machines. support.microsoft.com
  7. 7. You cannot access it from a Remote Desktop session. This occurs when you turn on the Remote Credential Guard feature and the client is Windows 11, version 22H2 or higher. support.microsoft.com
  8. 8. Their status does not progress past “ContainerCreating.” support.microsoft.com
  9. 9. But the Windows Settings app does not match what you have configured. support.microsoft.com
  10. 10. They do not show in Task Manager. support.microsoft.com
  11. 11. They do not show after you come out of Modern Standby. support.microsoft.com
  12. 12. If the bitmap has a negative height, the image does not load and the function returns NULL. support.microsoft.com
  13. 13. It fails to print to certain Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) printers when you use a print support app. support.microsoft.com
  14. 14. It prevents a stop error that occurs when you apply more than 32 policies. support.microsoft.com
  15. 15. It is not overwritten when rules merge with a collection that has no rules. support.microsoft.com
  16. 16. It fails after you use LGPO.exe to apply an audit policy to the system. support.microsoft.com
  17. 17. It does not run on some processors. support.microsoft.com
  18. 18. This update addresses a reliability issue. It affects a Virtual Remote App product when you use a custom shell to open it. support.microsoft.com
  19. 19. Bluetooth connections are not stable. This occurs on devices that have firmware from April 2023 and later. support.microsoft.com
  20. 20. This update addresses an issue that affects Transport Layer Security (TLS), version 1.3. It causes Azure App Services to fail. support.microsoft.com
  21. 21. It stops responding. This occurs when the Knowledge Consistency Checker (KCC) runs evaluations. support.microsoft.com
  22. 22. It does not load. support.microsoft.com
  23. 23. This update adds more content to your lock screen. Sports, traffic, and finance content will appear along with weather. support.microsoft.com
  24. 24. You can now use voice access with the following languages: support.microsoft.com
  25. 25. You can now use all voice access features on multiple displays. support.microsoft.com
  26. 26. This update introduces voice shortcuts or custom commands. You can use them to create your own commands in the supported English dialects. support.microsoft.com
  27. 27. You can now use voice access to open applications, dictate text, and interact with elements on the screen. support.microsoft.com
  28. 28. You can now listen to a preview of the ten natural voices before you download them. support.microsoft.com
  29. 29. Now, you can use the keys G or Shift+G to move forward or backward between images in Scan mode (Narrator key+space bar). support.microsoft.com
  30. 30. In Microsoft Word, Narrator will announce the presence of bookmarks and draft or resolved comments. support.microsoft.com
  31. 31. The account you use to sign in affects the apps that are in “Share using.” support.microsoft.com
  32. 32. The Windows share window now supports sharing with WhatsApp in the “Share using” section. support.microsoft.com
  33. 33. If you do and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are off, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will turn on to make Nearby Share work as you expect. support.microsoft.com
  34. 34. You can now give your device a more friendly name to identify it when sharing. support.microsoft.com
  35. 35. This update adds suggestions to Snap Layouts. They help you to instantly snap multiple app windows together. support.microsoft.com
  36. 36. When you do, app icons will display various layout options. support.microsoft.com
  37. 37. When you sign in on your company-owned device, doing that also signs you in to your Windows 365 Cloud PC. support.microsoft.com
  38. 38. With it, you can quickly switch profiles and sign in. You can also personalize the experience for your username and password. support.microsoft.com
  39. 39. In shared mode, you can add company branding from Microsoft Intune. support.microsoft.com
  40. 40. The smart logic tells you to address network issues or complete app setup so that Windows 365 Boot does not fail. support.microsoft.com
  41. 41. Windows 365 Boot makes it easy to directly access and manage sound, display, and other device settings. support.microsoft.com
  42. 42. You will see the term “Cloud PC” and “Local PC” on the desktop indicator when you switch between them. support.microsoft.com
  43. 43. IT admins can now use mobile device management (MDM) to turn off the prompt that appears when users sign in to an Entra-joined machine. support.microsoft.com
  44. 44. You can now set up its “clipboard redirection” policy to work in a single direction from the local computer to the remote computer. You can also reverse that order. support.microsoft.com
  45. 45. This feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually. support.microsoft.com
  46. 46. You can ask Copilot in Windows (in preview) for help ten times when you sign in to Windows using a local account. support.microsoft.com
  47. 47. This update improves Narrator’s detection of text in images, which includes handwriting. It also improves the descriptions of images. support.microsoft.com
  48. 48. Before, users had to be on the same private network. Now, users must be on the same public or private network. support.microsoft.com
  49. 49. This update helps you to learn about the Cast feature and discover when it is available; see the examples in the list below. support.microsoft.com
  50. 50. You can use your local PC to disconnect from your Cloud PC. support.microsoft.com
  51. 51. While you wait, the screen will show you the connection status and the timeout indicator for the Cloud PC. support.microsoft.com
  52. 52. This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in Greenland. support.microsoft.com
  53. 53. This update supports DST changes in Kazakhstan. support.microsoft.com
  54. 54. This update supports DST changes in Samoa. support.microsoft.com
  55. 55. This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in Palestine. support.microsoft.com
  56. 56. It helps their UI to localize correctly for all languages when you upgrade your OS. support.microsoft.com
  57. 57. This update makes Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles up to date for some mobile operators. support.microsoft.com
  58. 58. This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. support.microsoft.com
Checked automatically: 8 of 8 checks passed, 58 quoted passages · compared with Microsoft's page on Oct 20, 2026
  • Quotes found in the official pages: passed
  • Numbers found in the sources: passed
  • Vulnerabilities from the dossier only: passed
  • Links to allowed domains only: passed
  • Every official change covered: passed
  • Readable plain text: passed
  • Changes confirmed by the file list: passed
  • Sources agree: passed

A second AI read the text against the sources: correctness 4/5, clarity 4/5, completeness 4/5. How we work

Published by The Update Bureau. Written with AI from Microsoft's own documents, checked by rules and a second AI. How we work · Report a mistake