Windows 11 KB5021255 is now rolling out to all production devices as part of Patch Tuesday in December 2022. This update includes some minor new features and several bug fixes. Windows 11 KB5021255 offline installers are also available in Microsoft update catalog and these installers can be used to update the PCs manually.
KB5021255 is a security update and therefore contains numerous security fixes for the operating system. This patchday update also includes some settings changes, but chances are you already have access to these new features if you installed the optional November update.
With the Windows 11 December 2022 update, Microsoft is finally introducing deeper OneDrive integration for the settings page. As a result, you can now view OneDrive storage alerts on the Systems page of the Settings app. However, these warnings only appear when you are approaching the assigned limit.
It is also possible to view and manage your storage space and purchase additional storage directly from Settings. The updated settings even show the storage capacity of all your OneDrive subscriptions, including the total storage on the Accounts page in the Settings app.
(If you’re using Windows 10, you’ll get KB5021233 with tons of bug fixes). If you check for updates on Windows 11, you will see the following patch:
Cumulative Update 2022-12 for Windows 11 for x64-based Systems (KB5021255)
Download links for Windows 11 KB5021255
Windows 11 KB5021255 Direct Download Links: 64-bit.
Windows 11 KB5021255 (Build 22621.963) Critical Changelog
Today’s Windows 11 22H2 update combines Spotlight with Themes on the Personalization page. Microsoft combines the two features to make it easier for you to discover new wallpapers and enable the Spotlight feature while managing the existing customization options in the operating system.
According to the official release notes, Windows 11 Build 22621.963 or Build 22622.963 also fixes an issue affecting some modern apps. Fixed a bug where the operating system prevented users from opening the app. The patch also fixes a known issue affecting the Input Method Editor (IME).
Additionally, Microsoft claims to have fixed an issue where File Explorer might become unresponsive to user actions. This problem occurs when you close context menus and menu items.
The patch addresses an issue that can cause certain apps to become unresponsive, particularly when using the File Open dialog.
Here is a list of all major fixes in Windows 11 Build 22622.963:
- Fixed an issue affecting transparency in layered windows.
- Fixed an issue affecting microphone streams using the “Listen To” feature.
- Fixed an issue where landscape mode printing doesn’t work in Microsoft Edge and the output is incorrect.
- Fixed an issue causing high CPU usage affecting File Explorer.
- Fixed issues with Windows Firewall service.
- Fixed an issue affecting the performance of some games and apps.
New features for Windows 11: Seconds in the taskbar
Microsoft is also working on some new features for version 22H2, including “Seconds in the taskbar”.
The November 2022 preview build of Windows 11 officially enabled an option to add seconds to the taskbar clock. We already knew this feature was on the way to the new OS, and it looks like Microsoft plans to include it in Windows 11 22H2 production builds as well.
As you probably know, Windows 11 taskbar has undergone various changes that have not been popular with users. One of the features removed with Windows 11 is “Seconds in the taskbar clock”. This is in addition to retiring advanced features like the ability to move the taskbar.
The problem with the Windows 11 taskbar is that it was built from scratch and Microsoft has to add all the functionality back. For example, the bottom taskbar no longer has a “clock” integration. In other words, there is no way to show the time in the taskbar in seconds (not just hours and minutes).
Initially, users assumed that the missing “seconds” feature was just a bug in the taskbar, but it turns out that the feature was intentionally removed from the original Windows 11 release. The company also removed the registry hack that forcibly enabled this feature.
According to references spotted in the latest builds, it looks like a future cumulative update for Windows 11 22H2 will restore the clock on the taskbar in seconds.
