Windows 11 24H2 offers a significant update. Users can expect numerous new features, both additions and removals. Here’s a complete summary of what Microsoft has introduced and taken away in this update.
Windows 11 24H2 continues to evolve as the 25H2 version is now available. Microsoft has released the update KB5064081 (build 26100.5074). Typically, these non-security updates are rolled out on the last Monday of the month, but this time, the Redmond company has moved this release to the end of the week, specifically last Friday.
What’s New in Update KB5064081 for Windows 11 24H2?
What does Windows 11 offer now that it is more popular than Windows 10? The Task Manager now adopts a new unified metric to display CPU load consistently across all pages. If you prefer the old display, you can activate it in a new optional column called CPU Utility. Just navigate to the Details tab.
Windows Hello has undergone a complete overhaul, which, as Microsoft clarified, does not damage your SSD. The interface now presents multiple authentication methods including:
- Windows sign-in screen
- Passkeys
- Recall
- Microsoft Store
Windows Hello allows for easy switching between identification options. Face recognition and fingerprint scanning after sleep have also been improved.
New AI Features
The controversial AI-based feature called Recall now opens to a personalized home page showing recent activity and most-used apps. Recent screenshots are available for quick task continuation, and the display shows the three most used applications and websites over the last 24 hours. A new sidebar is also introduced, providing access to Home, Timeline, Feedback, and Settings.
Initially available on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon processors, the settings assistant is now compatible with AMD and Intel processors as well. The Settings > Privacy and Security > Text and Image Generation section allows you to see which applications are using Windows generative models, and you can also manage their permissions.
Changes for Widgets
The lock screen is also enriched with customizable widget options. This feature was previously exclusive to European users. Now, you can add, remove, or rearrange widgets such as weather, sports, traffic, and more. To configure, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen.
The Widgets Board also receives multiple dashboards and a new sidebar navigation. Discover has also been revamped for a more organized and engaging display, featuring stories selected by Copilot along with summaries of videos and images sourced from MSN.
What’s Disappearing
The Windows 11 24H2 update isn’t just about additions; it also includes a notable removal for many users: PowerShell 2.0 is going away. This component debuted with Windows 7, and any scripts requiring version 2.0 will need to be updated to avoid compatibility issues.
Other Major New Features for Windows 11 24H2
File Explorer adds separators between first-level icons in the context menu. For business and educational accounts, user icons now appear in the Activity column under the Recommended section. A much larger clock with seconds has made its return to the notification center right above the date and calendar. You can enable this through Settings > Time and Language > Date and Time, and then check “Show time in the notification center.”
The search from the taskbar now presents gray display to quickly spot images. Status messages are clearer and indicate if results are incomplete while the PC organizes files in the background. Cloud and locally stored files are separated, and prompts for location, camera, and microphone access have been redesigned, with the screen dimming slightly and the request centered to enhance privacy.
Windows Backup for Organization is also available for enterprise-level backup and restoration. This feature allows for transitions such as upgrades to Windows 11 or PC deployments with AI.
Several fixes are also included with this KB5064081 update:
- Resolution of an issue preventing certain system recovery features from functioning correctly.
- Fix for a memory leak in ReFS during the use of backup applications with large files.
- Improvement of installation performance for applications on ARM64 devices.
It’s important to note that this update is optional, and you can access it via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog. Therefore, you have the choice to either install it now or wait for its integration into a future mandatory update.
