Microsoft says the latest Windows 11 preview build improves update management for IT administrators and fixes several issues leading to app crashes.
The focus of this build’s update improvements is to help admins make system restarts after Windows updates are installed more predictable.
“Ensuring consistent and predictable timing of restarts for Windows updates is a key part of a successful update strategy,” said Microsoft’s Amanda Langowski and Brandon LeBlanc.
To achieve this goal, Microsoft made several changes to the Update Stack Orchestrator, including allowing admins to manually set the number of days before feature and quality updates install automatically.
Windows updates are downloaded and installed without custom restart deadlines as soon as they’re offered, but device reboots will only occur outside of active hours.
Once the deadline is reached, the system will be restarted automatically to complete the installation process regardless of the active hours setting, and the user will not be able to reschedule the update.
However, admins can also set a grace period to ensure that users can still manage the restart time after the updates are deployed. During this grace period, Windows can still restart outside active hours if the system reboots aren’t rescheduled.
Microsoft has added two new Group Policy settings to manage system restarts after updates:
Specify deadlines for automatic updates and restarts for quality updates
Specify deadlines for automatic updates and restarts for feature updates
These improvements are rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel, who have installed Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25227.
Latest build also fixes multiple app crashes
The new Windows 11 dev build also fixes issues triggering crashes and affecting several apps, including File Explorer, the Start Menu, and Gaming Services.
The complete list of crash fixes includes the following:
Fixed an issue causing explorer.exe to crash while switching between apps on the tablet-optimized taskbar.
Fixed an issue causing explorer.exe to crash when dragging icons in the system tray.
Fixed an issue where dragging content across an open Start menu folder could cause a crash.
Fixed a couple of issues causing certain apps to crash in recent builds, including OneNote. We are continuing to investigate feedback in this space.
If you were experiencing Gaming Services crashes while trying to play certain games in the previous Dev Channel flight, please check the Microsoft Store for Gaming Servicing updates. It should be resolved now.
Redmond is also investigating user reports of crashes impacting several other apps and games in recent Windows Insider builds.
