Skip to the content
The Update Bureau
Windows 11 24H2 Windows 11 24H2 Optional preview
Preview

KB5050094

KB5050094: Cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2, January 2025. File Explorer gains tab restore; mouse and audio fixes arrive

In short

File Explorer can restore open tabs, and fixes address mouse, audio, and Remote Desktop problems. This optional preview also adds a Chinese font and changes taskbar previews.

Does it affect you? Applies to: Devices running Windows 11, version 24H2, including x64 and Arm64 devices. Some changes roll out gradually and might not be available to everyone at once.

Build
26100.3037
Restart
Required

What changes

Fixes 24 changes

File Explorer

Gradual rollout Verified in package 4 items
  • A search no longer repeats when you do not want it to.1
  • A file’s date and time properties no longer change unexpectedly after you copy it.2
  • Icons in the details pane update when you switch between dark and light themes.3
  • The search box no longer loses focus while you type.4

Mouse

Gradual rollout 3 items
  • The mouse cursor no longer disappears over text fields in some apps.5
  • With pointer trails on, the cursor no longer turns transparent with a black box behind it.6
  • The mouse cursor no longer stutters across the screen, even when the PC is not busy.7

Pinyin Input Method Editor (IME)

Gradual rollout

For: users of the Chinese Pinyin IME

  • Switching app windows no longer changes the input language from Chinese to English.8

Snipping Tool

Gradual rollout

For: devices with multiple monitors using different scaling

  • Screenshots are no longer distorted when monitors use different display scaling.9
    The issue affected setups with two or more monitors.

Microsoft Excel 2016

Gradual rollout

For: Microsoft Excel 2016 users

  • Some files no longer leave Excel stuck on its loading screen when opened.10

Game bar

Gradual rollout
  • Game bar recording no longer fails with error 0x82323673.11

High dynamic range (HDR)

  • Some games no longer look oversaturated when Auto HDR is on.12

Digital/Analog converter (DAC)

Verified in package
  • USB audio devices are less likely to stop working and interrupt playback.13
    The issue is more likely with DAC audio drivers based on USB 1.0.

USB audio device drivers

Verified in package
  • The “This device cannot start” error no longer appears with certain external audio management devices.14
    Addresses Code 10 when connecting to certain external audio management devices.

USB cameras

For: devices using USB cameras

  • The camera is recognized as on again after installing the January 2025 security update.15

Passkey

  • Using a passkey on a phone no longer has a one-minute timeout.16

Power

  • Shutdown is less likely to take longer when a controller is connected.17

Wi-Fi

Verified in package

For: devices connecting to certain Wi-Fi networks

  • The Windows Security dialog no longer stops responding when you sign in to some Wi-Fi networks.18
    The same issue could occur with some other options in Settings.

Domains

Gradual rollout
  • A device is less likely to fail when joining a domain.19

Task Manager

Gradual rollout
  • Task Manager closes faster after you close the app.20

Dam.sys

Gradual rollout
  • A watchdog timeout error is less likely when the PC resumes from sleep.21

Windows update installation

Gradual rollout Verified in package
  • Cumulative updates can install again when an error follows a failed feature-on-demand installation.22
    Addresses error code 0x800736b3 after a feature on demand fails to install.

Memory leak

  • Memory no longer leaks when predictive input ideas appear.23

Remote Desktop Gateway

Verified in package
  • Errors and sign-in failures are addressed when connecting to Windows 11 workstations with device redirection enforced.24
    Applies to connections to Windows 11 workstations when device redirection is enforced.

New features 5 changes

Fonts

Gradual rollout
  • A new simplified Chinese font includes the Biangbiang noodles character. Some apps might not display its new characters yet.25
    Adds Simsun-ExtG with 9,753 ideographs supporting Unicode Extensions G, H, and I.

File Explorer

Gradual rollout Verified in package 3 items
  • Right-clicking items in the left pane now shows a New Folder command.26
  • File Explorer restores open tabs in each window when you turn on the option to restore folder windows at sign-in.27
    Requires “Restore previous folder windows at logon.”
  • File Explorer turns on specific settings when you choose to save and restart apps after signing in.28
    The setting is under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

Settings

Gradual rollout Verified in package
  • You can change time zones in Settings without being an administrator.29
    The option is under Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time.

Improvements 2 changes

Taskbar

Gradual rollout
  • App previews on the taskbar and their animations improve.30

Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)

Verified in package
  • The driver blocklist adds drivers that could put devices at risk.31
    Adds drivers at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks to DriverSiPolicy.p7b.

Removal 1 change

Chinese Pinyin input method editor (IME)

Verified in package

For: users of the Chinese Pinyin IME

  • Bing stops giving automatic suggestions in search boxes for sites such as Baidu. Press Ctrl+Tab or select the chevron for manual suggestions.32

Known issues

  1. Open Affects: Organizations and IT administrators

    Citrix

    Some devices with Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2411 might fail to finish installing the January 2025 security update and undo the changes. Home users are not expected to be affected.33

    How to apply the workaround Workaround

    The issue is resolved by Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2503, released April 28, 2025, or a newer version.33

  2. Open Affects: Everyone

    Roblox

    Players on Arm devices cannot download or play Roblox from the Microsoft Store. Roblox is working on a resolution.34

    How to apply the workaround Workaround

    Download Roblox directly from Roblox.com.34

  3. Open Affects: Everyone

    Remote Desktop

    On Windows 11, version 24H2, Remote Desktop sessions might freeze shortly after connecting, leaving mouse and keyboard input unresponsive. RDP sessions might also disconnect unexpectedly, including sessions to older Remote Desktop Services hosts.35

    How to apply the workaround Group Policy

    KB5052093 is listed for freezes, and KB5053656 is listed for disconnections. On managed devices using an update earlier than March 27, 2025, administrators can apply the special Group Policy and restart the devices.35

    Step-by-step workaround instructions
    2 steps
    Show steps Hide steps
    Step-by-step procedure
    1. Download the special Group Policy for Windows 11 version 24H2 and configure it under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates.
    2. Restart the devices to apply the policy.
  4. Open Affects: Everyone

    Open Secure Shell service

    Some customers report that the OpenSSH service fails to start after the October 2024 security update, preventing SSH connections. Microsoft lists the issue for this update and is investigating whether Home or Pro users are affected.36

    How to apply the workaround Workaround

    KB5052093 is listed as the response for this issue.36

Technical details

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

Data sheet

Released
2025-01-28
Classification
Updates
Type
Cumulative update
Restart
Required
Replaces
KB5050009, KB5048667, KB5046740, KB5046617
+10 earlier KB5044384, KB5044284, KB5043178, KB5043080, KB5041865, KB5041571, KB5040529, KB5040435, KB5039304, KB5039239
Replaced by
KB5051987
VersionBuildChannel
24H2 26100.3037 General availability
24H2 26100.3025 Release Preview Channel

Security

No vulnerabilities are listed for this update.

Updated components

7,215 files changed since the previous update for the same versions.

Top changed componentsFiles
Settings128
Graphics and display55
Bluetooth53
Hyper-V and virtualization46
Networking44
Printing42
Security and sign-in40
Audio36
Remote Desktop36
Windows Update34
File Explorer and shell30
.NET networking24

Verified in package: changed files confirm File Explorer, Digital/Analog converter (DAC), USB audio device drivers, Wi-Fi, Windows update installation, Remote Desktop Gateway, Settings, Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b), Chinese Pinyin input method editor (IME).

Sources

Updated
Cited passages from Microsoft's official notes (36)
  1. 1. Fixed: After you do a search, that search might repeat when you don’t want it to. support.microsoft.com
  2. 2. Fixed: The date and time properties of a file might update after you copy it. support.microsoft.com
  3. 3. Icons on the details pane might not update as you expect when you change a theme. support.microsoft.com
  4. 4. The search box might lose input focus as you type. support.microsoft.com
  5. 5. The mouse cursor might disappear. This occurs when you hover over text fields in certain applications. support.microsoft.com
  6. 6. If you turn on pointer trails, the mouse cursor becomes transparent, and a black box appears behind it. support.microsoft.com
  7. 7. The mouse cursor might stutter when it moves across the screen. This occurs even when the system is not using a lot of resources. support.microsoft.com
  8. 8. When you switch app windows, the IME language might change from Chinese to English. support.microsoft.com
  9. 9. Snipping Tool screenshots might be distorted. This occurs when you use two or more monitors that have different display scaling. support.microsoft.com
  10. 10. When you open certain files, Excel opens, but the screen might remain on the loading screen. support.microsoft.com
  11. 11. Game bar recording fails with error 0x82323673. support.microsoft.com
  12. 12. The display of some games appears oversaturated. This occurs when you use Auto HDR. support.microsoft.com
  13. 13. You might experience issues with USB audio devices. This is more likely when you use a DAC audio driver based on USB 1.0. support.microsoft.com
  14. 14. The code 10 error message, “This device cannot start” appears. This occurs when you connect to certain external audio management devices. support.microsoft.com
  15. 15. Your device does not recognize the camera is on. This issue occurs after you install the January 2025 security update. support.microsoft.com
  16. 16. This update removes the one-minute timeout when you use a passkey on a phone. support.microsoft.com
  17. 17. Shutdown might be slower on some devices when a controller is connected. support.microsoft.com
  18. 18. The Windows Security dialog stops responding. This occurs when you sign in to certain Wi-Fi networks. support.microsoft.com
  19. 19. A device might fail to join a domain. support.microsoft.com
  20. 20. It takes too long to close after you close the app. support.microsoft.com
  21. 21. A watchdog timeout error might occur when your PC resumes from sleep. support.microsoft.com
  22. 22. Cumulative updates might not install. The error code is 0x800736b3. This occurs after a feature on demand fails to install. support.microsoft.com
  23. 23. Leaks occur when predictive input ideas show. support.microsoft.com
  24. 24. You get errors or cannot sign when you connect to Windows 11 workstations. This occurs when you enforce device redirection. support.microsoft.com
  25. 25. [Fonts] New! This update adds Simsun-ExtG, a new simplified Chinese font. It includes the Biangbiang noodles character. support.microsoft.com
  26. 26. When you right-click items in the left pane, the “New Folder” command appears on the context menu. support.microsoft.com
  27. 27. Windows restores all the previously open tabs in each File Explorer window. This occurs when you enable “Restore previous folder windows at logon.” support.microsoft.com
  28. 28. Windows turns on specific File Explorer settings for you. This occurs when you enable “Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.” support.microsoft.com
  29. 29. You can change time zones in Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time. You don’t have to be an admin to make this change. support.microsoft.com
  30. 30. [Taskbar] New! This update improves the previews that show when your cursor hovers over apps on the taskbar. The update also improves their animations. support.microsoft.com
  31. 31. This update adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks. support.microsoft.com
  32. 32. Bing will stop giving automatic suggestions in the search box for search engine sites, like Baidu. To get manual suggestions, use Ctrl+Tab or the chevron button (>). support.microsoft.com
  33. 33. The issue has been resolved in Citrix Session Recording Agent version 2503, released on April 28, 2025, and newer versions. support.microsoft.com
  34. 34. players on Arm devices are unable to download and play Roblox from the Microsoft Store on Windows. support.microsoft.com
  35. 35. This issue is addressed in KB5052093. support.microsoft.com
  36. 36. 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. support.microsoft.com
Checked automatically: 8 of 8 checks passed, 36 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