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Windows 11 24H2 Windows 11 24H2 Optional preview
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KB5044384

KB5044384: Cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2, October 2024. Window switching and scanner detection fixed

In short

Fixes brief black screens when switching between some windows and scanner detection problems. It also adds new Narrator, Start menu, and Copilot key options.

Does it affect you? Applies to: Devices running Windows 11, version 24H2. The update has x64 and Arm64 packages.

Build
26100.2161
Restart
Required

What changes

Fixes 10 changes

ALT + Tab

Gradual rollout
  • Switching between certain windows no longer makes the screen go black for a few seconds on some PCs.1

Scanning apps

Gradual rollout
  • Scanning apps can detect certain scanners that are connected to the PC.2

Web sign-in

  • The sign-in screen no longer stops responding when you try to sign in to your account from the web.3

Windows Disk Cleanup app

  • Disk Cleanup gives more accurate free-space estimates; the update addresses some causes of incorrect estimates.4

User interface (UI)

  • Some parts of the interface are visible again when certain apps run.5

Live kernel debug files (dumps)

Verified in package
  • The system no longer creates live kernel debug files when it should not.6
    The update fixes win32kbase.sys creating live kernel debug files unexpectedly.

Winlogon

  • A stop error during shutdown is fixed.7

sfc /scannow command

  • The command no longer returns errors every time it runs.8

Service for User to Self (S4U2self)

For: Devices meeting the stated configuration

  • Devices can use S4U2self authentication without the issue described in the update.9
    The issue affects devices with Credential Guard off that are joined to an Active Directory domain that does not allow the RC4 cipher.

DirectAccess

For: Devices using DirectAccess after a clean install or in-place upgrade to version 24H2

  • The DirectAccess connection can complete instead of remaining in a connecting state after a clean install or in-place upgrade to version 24H2.10

New features 7 changes

Notifications

Gradual rollout Verified in package
  • You can turn off suggestions to disable notifications from individual apps.11
    Use the notification ellipsis or go to Settings > System > Notifications and turn off Notification Suggestions in the senders list. The entry appears after you receive a notification.

Narrator

Gradual rollout 2 items
  • A new Narrator shortcut copies the last thing Narrator said to the clipboard.12
    Press the Narrator key + Ctrl + X.
  • Narrator can automatically read email messages in the new Outlook.13
    This matches the behavior in Outlook classic.

Copilot key settings

Verified in package

For: Devices with a Copilot key

  • You can choose what the Copilot key opens, including another app or Search.14
    Configure it in Settings > Personalization > Text input. The other app must be in a signed MSIX package. On new devices, the key opens the Copilot app, or the Microsoft 365 app if you sign in with a Microsoft Entra ID. Changing the setting has no effect on keyboards without a Copilot key.

Virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx)

Gradual rollout Verified in package

For: Users of VHD or VHDx files

  • Settings gains a button to detach a virtual hard disk.15
    Find the button in the VHD or VHDx properties under Settings > System > Storage > Disks & Volumes.

Networking

Gradual rollout Verified in package

For: Users of Wi-Fi networks with Unicode characters

  • Wi-Fi network names containing Unicode characters, such as emoji, can display correctly in the command output.16
    The netsh wlan show networks command can now read SSIDs encoded using UTF-8.

Windows Sandbox Client Preview

Gradual rollout Verified in package

For: Windows Sandbox users

  • The Windows Sandbox Client Preview adds clipboard sharing, audio and video input controls, and folder sharing with the host while running.17
    Access the options from the app's ellipsis menu. The preview also includes command-line support; commands might change over time. Use wsb.exe–help for information. Updates for the app are available in the Microsoft Store.

Improvements 3 changes

Wi-Fi password dialog

Gradual rollout Verified in package
  • The Wi-Fi password dialog now uses the Windows 11 visual design.18
    The dialog is in Settings > Network & internet.

Start menu

Gradual rollout
  • The Start menu's “All apps” section is now called “All.”19

Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)

Verified in package
  • The blocklist includes more drivers that are at risk of being used in Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver attacks.20
    The update adds entries to DriverSiPolicy.p7b.

Known issues

  1. Resolved Affects: Everyone Resolved by KB5052093

    Following the installation of the October 2024 security update, some customers report that the OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell) service fails to start, preventing SSH connections.

    Some customers report that the OpenSSH service fails to start after the October 2024 security update, preventing SSH connections. The issue is addressed by KB5052093; Microsoft was investigating whether Home or Pro customers were affected.21

    Resolution Fixed in KB5052093

    Install KB5052093 (or a later cumulative update) on affected devices. No manual workaround is required after updating.

  2. Open Affects: Everyone

    We’re aware of an issue where players on Arm devices are unable to download and play Roblox via the Microsoft Store on Windows.

    Players on Arm devices cannot download or play Roblox through the Microsoft Store.22

    How to apply the workaround Workaround

    Players on Arm devices can download the game directly from Roblox.com.22

  3. Open Affects: Everyone

    After installing this update, users will encounter an issue where the number of Apps, Background Processes, and Windows Processes in Task Manager display a count of zero, despite having active applic…

    After installing this update, Task Manager will show a count of zero for Apps, Background Processes, and Windows Processes on the Processes page when Group by Type is enabled, even while applications are running.23

    Workaround status No workaround yet

    Microsoft has not published a manual workaround for this issue yet. Monitor release health until a resolving update is available.

Technical details

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

Data sheet

Released
2024-10-24
Classification
Updates
Type
Cumulative update
Restart
Required
Replaces
KB5044284, KB5043178, KB5043080, KB5041865
+5 earlier KB5041571, KB5040529, KB5040435, KB5039304, KB5039239
Replaced by
KB5046740
VersionBuildChannel
24H2 26100.2161 General availability

Security

No vulnerabilities are listed for this update.

Updated components

5,286 files changed since the previous update for the same versions.

Top changed componentsFiles
Networking89
Settings82
Graphics and display45
.NET networking38
Bluetooth36
Audio28
Printing28
Windows Update28
File Explorer and shell27
Hyper-V and virtualization23
Security and sign-in22
Remote Desktop20

Verified in package: changed files confirm Live kernel debug files (dumps), Notifications, Copilot key settings, Virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx), Networking, Windows Sandbox Client Preview, Wi-Fi password dialog, Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b).

Sources

Updated
Cited passages from Microsoft's official notes (23)
  1. 1. [ALT + Tab] Fixed: The screen goes black on some PCs for a few seconds when you switch between certain windows. support.microsoft.com
  2. 2. [Scanning apps] Fixed: They don't detect certain scanners although they are connected. support.microsoft.com
  3. 3. [Web sign-in] Fixed: You cannot sign in to your account from the web because the screen stops responding. support.microsoft.com
  4. 4. [WindowsDisk Cleanup app] Fixed: This update addresses some of the causes for the wrong free space estimates and improves its accuracy. support.microsoft.com
  5. 5. [User interface (UI)] Fixed: You cannot view some parts of the UI when you run certain apps. support.microsoft.com
  6. 6. [Live kernel debug files (dumps)] Fixed: win32kbase.sys creates live kernel debug files when it should not. support.microsoft.com
  7. 7. [Winlogon] Fixed: A stop error occurs during shutdown. support.microsoft.com
  8. 8. [sfc /scannow command] Fixed: You get errors every time you run the command. support.microsoft.com
  9. 9. This occurs if Credential Guard is off, and the device joins an Active Directory domain that does not allow the RC4 cipher. support.microsoft.com
  10. 10. [DirectAccess (known issue)] Fixed: After a clean install or an in-place upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2, you might face issues using DirectAccess. support.microsoft.com
  11. 11. [Notifications]New! You can now stop the suggestions to turn off notifications from certain apps. support.microsoft.com
  12. 12. This update adds a new Narrator shortcut. Press the Narrator key + Ctrl + X to copy what Narrator last spoke to the clipboard. support.microsoft.com
  13. 13. It will now auto read the contents of an email message in the new Outlook. support.microsoft.com
  14. 14. You can make the key open a different app or open Search. To do this, go to Settings > Personalization > Text input. support.microsoft.com
  15. 15. [Virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx)]New! This update adds a detach virtual hard disk button to Settings. support.microsoft.com
  16. 16. This means that Wi-Fi SSIDs that have Unicode characters (like emoji) will display properly in netsh output. support.microsoft.com
  17. 17. [Windows Sandbox Client Preview]New! This update adds the Windows Sandbox Client Preview. support.microsoft.com
  18. 18. [Wi-Fi password dialog]New! The dialog now has the Windows 11 visual design. support.microsoft.com
  19. 19. [Start menu] New! “All apps” has the new name, “All.” support.microsoft.com
  20. 20. This update adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks. support.microsoft.com
  21. 21. This issue is addressed in KB5052093. support.microsoft.com
  22. 22. Players on Arm devices can play Roblox by downloading the title directly from www.Roblox.com. support.microsoft.com
  23. 23. This issue appears specifically on the Processes page when the "Group by Type" view is enabled. support.microsoft.com
Checked automatically: 8 of 8 checks passed, 23 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 5/5. 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