📢 Windows 11 Build 22621.1928 (KB5027303 Update) is now available

What's new and improved in Windows 11 Build 22621.1928 (KB5027303 Update)?

Expanded Notification Badging for Microsoft Accounts

In Windows 11 Build 22621.1928, Microsoft expands the roll-out of notification badging for Microsoft accounts on the Start menu. This feature allows users to stay updated on important account-related notifications, providing quick access to relevant information.

Microsoft accounts play a crucial role in connecting Windows to Microsoft apps, facilitating data backup, subscription management, and adding extra security measures to prevent account lockouts.

Improved File Sharing with Outlook Contacts

The latest update improves the sharing of local files in File Explorer with Microsoft Outlook contacts. Users can now quickly email files to themselves directly from File Explorer. Additionally, loading contacts from Outlook is more efficient.

It's important to note that this feature is not available for files stored in Microsoft OneDrive folders, as OneDrive has its own sharing functionality.

Enhanced Live Captions

Windows 11 Build 22621.1928 introduces live captions in multiple languages, including Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, and various English dialects. Users can activate live captions using keyboard shortcuts or the Quick Settings accessibility flyout menu.

For the first-time use, Windows prompts users to download the required speech recognition support, which can be obtained from the Language & region settings.

Redesigned In-App Voice Access Command Help Page

With this update, Windows 11 revamps the in-app voice access command help page. Each command now includes descriptions and examples, and the search bar enables users to quickly find specific commands. The new categorization provides better guidance for users.

The command help page can be accessed through the voice access bar or the "what can I say?" voice command. Microsoft plans to update and improve this feature further in the future.

Expanded Voice Access Command Support

Windows 11 Build 22621.1928 (KB5027303 Update) extends voice access command support to additional English dialects, such as United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. Users are prompted to download the relevant speech model when enabling voice access for the first time.

Even if a matching speech model is not available in the display language, users can still utilize voice access in English (US) and switch to other languages in the settings.

Additional Enhancements and Features

Apart from the major additions mentioned above, the Windows 11 update brings several other noteworthy features, including:

1. VPN Status Icon: A small shield icon is added to the system tray to indicate when the user is connected to a recognized VPN profile. It overlays the active network connection and follows the system's accent color.
2. Clock with Seconds Display: Users can now choose to display seconds in the system tray clock by enabling the option in Taskbar settings or right-clicking the taskbar for quick access.
3. Quick Copy for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Codes: A copy button is introduced for quickly copying 2FA codes from notification toasts, only available for English.
4. Access Key Shortcuts for File Explorer: Access key shortcuts, allowing users to run commands in File Explorer context menus using keyboard shortcuts, have been added for improved accessibility.
5. Multi-App Kiosk Mode: This lockdown feature enables administrators to specify apps that can run on a device, block certain functionalities, and configure distinct types of access and apps for different users. Ideal for scenarios involving multiple users on a single device, such as frontline workers, retail, education, and test-taking.

Conclusion

Windows 11 Build 22621.1928 (KB5027303 Update) brings several exciting features, enhancements, and bug fixes to Microsoft's latest operating system. Users can enjoy expanded notification badging, improved file sharing with Outlook contacts, enhanced live captions, and a redesigned voice access command help page, among other notable additions.

Microsoft continues to refine Windows 11, ensuring a more seamless and user-friendly experience for its global user base.