Ups and Downs of the New Windows Update
The latest Windows 11 update (KB5025239) is now out, and is coming to all PCs – whether you like it or not.
That’s because this is an important update that’s mandatory – so you can either manually install it by opening up Windows Update and downloading it from there, or directly download it from Microsoft’s website.
If you don’t manually install it, Windows 11 will eventually download and install it automatically, to ensure that your PC gets the benefit of the latest bug fixes and features.
Overall, Windows 11 KB5025239 comes with 25 changes and fixes, and some of them are quite minor. However, these are three favourable new features:
The taskbar looks better
Windows 11 KB5025239 brings a few subtle changes to the taskbar which help improve its overall look.
The biggest change is that when you have set Windows 11 to dark mode in Settings > Personalization > Colors, and apps to light mode, the search box will appear lighter – making it easier to see and use.
Some users will also get a new button the lets them open up the new ChatGPT-powered Bing AI chat mode direct from the search box in the taskbar.
Annoyingly (but not a surprise), Bing chat opens up in Microsoft Edge, regardless of the web browser you’ve set as default.
Accessibility improvements
Microsoft has done an admirable job when it comes to adding accessibility features to its products, including both software and hardware. And while Windows 11 KB5025239 doesn’t bring new accessibility features, it fixes and improves several existing ones. An important fix addresses a frustrating bug which caused
PowerPoint, Microsoft’s presentation software, to crash when using accessibility tools.
The update also allows Microsoft Narrator, which is a text-to-speech tool, to read out dropdown lists in Microsoft Excel.
Windows LAPS
The addition of Windows LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution) is a bit of a niche feature, but it’s actually a much-requested one from system administrators in IT departments.
It allows admins to manage the passwords of local accounts on Windows devices and backs them up to the cloud.
It also allows for password encryption and automatic password rotation for enhanced security, and it’s now integrated natively into Windows 11, making it much easier to set up and use.
If you have no interest in Windows LAPS, then this may not seem like a big deal, but for people who do use it, this is a fantastic update that’s already been warmly welcomed.
Downside
Unfortunately, there are ads in the Start menu.
As reported a few weeks ago, Microsoft is ignoring the controversy and ploughing on with adding adverts to the Windows 11 Start menu.
In the change log of Windows 11 KB5025239, Microsoft says it has added “notifications for Microsoft accounts in the Start menu.” Originally spotted in an early build, these notifications are essentially adverts for Microsoft services. For example, one notification pops up reminding you to back up your files, and clicking the button takes you to Microsoft’s One Drive cloud backup service.