Exciting News! The latest Non-Security Preview Update for August 2023 is now available. The August 2023 Non-Security Preview Update has been disclosed, offering users a glance into the future of Windows operating systems. This optional update is designed exclusively for Windows 10, version 22H2, and Windows 11, versions 21H2 and 22H2.
While not focusing on security improvements, these previews allow for exploring upcoming features, enhancements, and optimizations. Dive into the forefront of innovation as you test drive the latest advancements, experiencing the potential of what’s to come on your compatible device.
We have an article highlighting the ClickOnce App Installation Prompts and Windows 10 Update KB5028244 | Issues and Solutions. Microsoft has confirmed a bug already introduced with the July 2023 preview update KB5028244 for Windows 10 22H2. Windows Updates New Feature Get the Latest Updates as soon as They’re Available. This feature appeared in April’s optional patch Windows Updates.
Starting in April 2023, Microsoft has introduced a new practice of rolling out optional non-security preview updates in the fourth week of each month. These cumulative updates are designed to test non-security fixes before they are released to Windows systems, along with the following month’s Patch Tuesday security updates.
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What is the August 2023 Non-Security Preview Update?
The August 2023 Non-Security Preview Update is an optional release that provides users with a preview of upcoming features, enhancements, and optimizations for Windows 10 (version 22H2) and Windows 11 (versions 21H2 and 22H2).
Who can Install this Update?
This update is available to users of Windows 10, version 22H2, and Windows 11, versions 21H2 and 22H2. It’s optional and meant for those interested in testing out upcoming changes before they are officially released.
What is the Purpose of these Non-Security Previews?
The non-security previews offer a way to explore upcoming updates and improvements without focusing on security fixes. They allow users to experience new features and enhancements before they are rolled out in the next month’s Patch Tuesday security updates.
Latest Non-Security Preview Update for August 2023
Windows updates hold you protected and productive differently, and Microsoft continues optimising the update experience. Whether you are an IT administrator or a general user, Windows monthly updates provide you with security fixes to help keep your devices protected and enhancements based on your feedback.
Note! – The Latest Non-Security Preview Updates for August 2023 are optional previews; they allow users to get a sneak peek into the evolving technology landscape while maintaining their current configurations.
Non-Security Preview Release in Windows 11 Version 22H2
The August 2023 Non-Security Preview Release is Now Available for Windows 11 Version 22H2. This security release includes a set of Highlights and improvements that help you enhance your experience and provide increased security measures.
The release of KB5029351 and OS Build 22621.2215 showcases a comprehensive array of 7 Highlights and 14 improvements as highlighted by Microsoft. The table below helps you show the Non-Security Preview Release in Windows 11 Version 22H2 highlights and their details.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| New hover behaviour to the search box | This update introduces a new hover behaviour for the search box gleam. When hovering over it, the search flyout box might appear. You can customize this behaviour by right-clicking the taskbar and accessing Taskbar settings. |
| Daylight Saving Time Support | This update includes support for daylight saving time (DST) changes, specifically in Israel. |
| Search Icon Fix | An issue affecting the search icon has been resolved. Previously, selecting the icon failed to open the Search app, particularly after the device had been in sleep mode. |
| Improved Search App Reliability | The reliability of the Search app has been enhanced, ensuring a smoother and more consistent experience. |
| TAB Key Improvement | This update addresses an issue with the TAB key functionality. Using it to navigate search results functions more seamlessly, requiring fewer additional actions. |
| Narrator Enhancement | For users of Narrator, this update corrects an issue where it failed to accurately identify the search box on the taskbar and properly highlight search results within the box. |
| Search Box Size Fix | An issue affecting the search box size in tablet posture mode on Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Book devices has been resolved. The search box will no longer be improperly reduced in size. |
Non-Security Update Improvements
When you install this KB, you will benefit from a non-security update that brings along various quality improvements to enhance your experience. The table below helps you show the 14 improvements as highlighted by Microsoft.
Note! – If you have previously installed earlier updates, the new updates included in this package will be the only ones downloaded and installed on your device. This efficient process ensures you receive only the necessary updates, minimizing data usage and optimizing the update experience.
| Improvements | Details |
|---|---|
| New Functionality for App Defaults | This update introduces new functionality that impacts app defaults. |
| New Policy – “Enable Optional Updates” | A new policy called “Enable optional updates” has been added. Administrators can use this policy to configure monthly optional cumulative updates for commercial devices. It can also be utilized for controlled feature rollouts (CFR). |
| Fix Group Policy Service | This update addresses a Group Policy Service issue where it doesn’t wait for the default 30 seconds for the network to become available, leading to incorrect policy processing. |
| New API for D3D12 Independent Devices | A new API for D3D12 Independent Devices is introduced. It allows the creation of multiple D3D12 devices on the same adapter. |
| Fix WS_EX_LAYERED Window Issue | An issue impacting WS_EX_LAYERED windows rendering with incorrect dimensions or positions is resolved when display scaling is used. |
| Fix Virtual Print Queue | Print jobs sent to a virtual print queue that failed without an error are now addressed. |
| Fix High CPU Usage | An issue causing high CPU usage upon enabling the “fBlockNonDomain” policy is resolved. |
| Fix Disk Partitions Issue | This update resolves a problem where the system could stop functioning after deleting a disk partition and adding the freed space to an existing BitLocker partition. |
| Fix BitLocker Storage Medium Issue | An issue that causes Windows to fail. This occurs when you use BitLocker on a storage medium that has a large sector size. |
| Fix Remote Desktop Session Error | An issue causing wrong error messages during Remote Desktop session sign-ins is resolved. |
| FixStart Menu Icons Issue | Missing Start menu icons after the initial sign-in are addressed. |
| Fix Settings Sync Issue | An issue where settings would not sync even after enabling the toggle on the Windows Backup page in the Settings app is resolved. |
| Fix RSOP Windows LAPS Policy | The update addresses an RSOP issue where the Windows LAPS “BackupDirectory” policy setting was not reported correctly when set to 1, which is “Back up to AAD.” |
| Fix Windows Update for Business Password Change | For Windows Update for Business users, a fix addresses a scenario where changing the password during sign-in failed to change the password and an inability to sign in, with error code 0xc000006d. |
Proceed with the Installation of this Update
Various release channels are accessible, including Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, Microsoft Update Catalog, and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The table below offers guidance on installing this update through each channel.
| Release Channel | Available | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Update or Microsoft Update | Yes | Start menu > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. From there, locate and click on “Windows Update.” Within the section labelled “Optional updates available,” you will discover the link to download and install the update. |
| Windows Update for Business | No | None |
| Microsoft Update Catalog | Yes | To get the standalone package for this update, simply visit the official Microsoft Update Catalog website. |
| Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) | No | You can import this update into WSUS manually. See the Microsoft Update Catalog for instructions. |
Non-Security Preview Release in Windows 10 Version 22H2
The non-security preview release for August 2023 is now accessible for Windows 10, version 22H2. The below table helps you to show the release date and the preview version.
| Release Date | Version |
|---|---|
8/22/2023 | OS Build 19045.3393 |
Highlights and Improvements of Non-Security Preview Release in Windows 10 Version 22H2
The release of KB5029331 and OS Build 19045.3393 showcases a comprehensive array of 5 Highlights and 11 improvements as highlighted by Microsoft. The 5 Highlights and 11 improvements highlighted by Microsoft are listed below.
Note! – To update to Windows 10, version 22H2, it’s essential to utilize EKB KB5015684 for a seamless transition. This update package ensures a smooth and efficient upgrade process to the new version.
This update enhances Windows’ ability to detect your location, resulting in improved weather, news, and traffic information for you.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| New Location Detection Improvement | This update enhances Windows’ ability to detect your location, resulting in improved weather, news, and traffic information for you. |
| Expanded Notification Badging for Microsoft Accounts | This release extends the roll-out of notification badging to Microsoft accounts on the Start menu. Microsoft accounts connect Windows to your Microsoft apps, back up your data, help manage subscriptions, and provide added security measures. This feature grants swift access to vital account-related notifications. |
| Daylight Saving Time Support | Support for daylight saving time (DST) changes in Israel is included in this update. |
| Fix Search Box Display Issue | An issue affecting the display of the search box is resolved with this update. |
| Settings Sync Improvement | The update addresses an issue where settings failed to sync, even when the toggle on the Windows Backup page in the Settings app was enabled. |
Improvements of Non-Security Preview Release in Windows 10 Version 22H2
To update to Windows 10, version 22H2, it’s essential to utilize EKB KB5015684 for a seamless transition. This update package ensures a smooth and efficient upgrade process to the new version. This non-security update includes quality improvements that are shown in the below table.
| Improvements | Details |
|---|---|
| New Windows Backup App | This update introduces the Windows Backup app to your device. |
| Fix Group Policy Service | The update addresses a Group Policy Service issue where It will not wait for 30 seconds, which is the default wait time, for the network to be available. Because of this, policies are not correctly processed. It fails to wait for the default 30-second network availability time, leading to incorrect policy processing. |
| D3D12 Independent Devices API | A new API for D3D12 Independent Devices is added. It allows the creation of multiple D3D12 devices on the same adapter. |
| App Keyboard Input Fix | An issue impacting an app that simulates keyboard input, causing it not to send Japanese characters to other apps, is resolved. |
| Fix WS_EX_LAYERED Window Issue | The update resolves a problem where a WS_EX_LAYERED window renders with incorrect dimensions or positions, especially when display scaling is used. |
| Fix Virtual Print Queue Fix | Print jobs sent to a virtual print queue that failed without an error are now addressed. |
| Fix Disk Partitions Issue | This update resolves an issue where the system could stop functioning after deleting a disk partition and reallocating the space to an existing BitLocker partition. |
| Remote Desktop Sessions Fix | An issue causing Remote Desktop (RD) sessions to disconnect when multiple apps are in use is resolved. |
| RSOP Windows LAPS Policy Fix | The update addresses an RSOP issue where the Windows LAPS “BackupDirectory” policy setting wasn’t reported correctly when set to 1, which is “Back up to AAD.” |
| ClickOnce Issue Fix | A known issue affecting ClickOnce is resolved. Previously, ClickOnce-deployed apps might prompt for installation even when they were already installed and marked as “trusted.” |
| Windows Update for Business Password Change Fix | For Windows Update for Business users, a fix addresses a scenario where changing the password during sign-in failed to change the password and an inability to sign in, with error code 0xc000006d. |
How to Install the Update
You can easily install these updates; various release channels are accessible, including Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, Microsoft Update Catalog, and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The table below offers guidance on installing this update through each channel.
| Release Channel | Available | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Update or Microsoft Update | Yes | Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. From there, look in the “Optional updates available” section to locate the link allowing you to download and install the update. |
| Windows Update for Business | No | No further action is required. These changes are slated to be incorporated into the upcoming security update for this particular channel. |
| Microsoft Update Catalog | Yes | Go to the Microsoft Update Catalogue website to get the standalone package for this update. |
| Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) | No | You can import this update into WSUS manually. See the Microsoft Update Catalog for instructions. |
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Author
About the Author – Vidya is a computer enthusiast. She is here to share quick tips and tricks with Windows 11 or Windows 10 users. She loves writing on Windows 11 and related technologies. She is also keen to find solutions and write about day-to-day tech problems.