Microsoft has released the optional KB5044380 Preview cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2, which brings seventeen changes, including a new Gamepad keyboard and the ability to remap the Copilot keyboard key.

The KB5044380 cumulative update preview is part of Microsoft’s optional non-security preview updates schedule, released on the fourth week of every month.

This update allows Windows admins to test upcoming fixes and features that will be released in next month’s November Patch Tuesday. However, unlike Patch Tuesday cumulative updates, these preview updates do not include security updates. 

Windows users can install this update by going into Settings, clicking on Windows Update, and manually performing a ‘Check for Updates.’

As this is an optional update, you will be asked whether you wish to install it by clicking the ‘Download and install’ link, as shown in the image below.

After installing this update, Windows 11 23H2 will be upgraded to build 22631.4391, and 22H2 will be 22621.4391.

Windows 11 users can also manually download and install the KB5044380 preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

New features in the KB5044380 update

With the release of the KB5044380 update, Microsoft has introduced a total of seventeen fixes, changes, and new features to Windows 11.

These new features include a new GamePad keyboard and an easier way to silent application notifications.

The update will introduce five new highlighted changes that are available immediately, listed below:

• [Copilot key settings] New! You can configure the Copilot key on the keyboard. On new devices, the key opens the Copilot app. If you sign in to your account using a Microsoft Entra ID, the key opens the M365 app. You can make the key open a different app or open Search. To do this, go to Settings > Personalization > Text input. To make the key open a different app, the app must be in a signed MSIX package. This ensures that the app meets security and privacy standards to keep you safe. If your PC’s keyboard does not have a Copilot key, changing this setting will do nothing.

• [Battery use] Fixed: A device uses too much battery power while the device is in Modern Standby.

• [Microsoft Teams] Fixed: The issue stops you from joining Teams meetings when you select an Outlook meeting reminder.

• [Product activation phone numbers] Fixed: This adds new phone numbers for several regions.

• [Multi-Function Printer (MFP)] Fixed: When you use a USB cable to connect to it, it prints specific network command text when you do want it to.

There are also additional highlighted features that are slowly being rolled out and will not be immediately available after installing this update:

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​[Gamepad keyboard]New! This update starts the roll out of a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard. With it, you can use your Xbox controller to move around the screen and type. Button accelerators are also available; these include the X button for backspace and the Y button for the spacebar. For better movement patterns, the keyboard keys are aligned vertically.

• [Notifications] New!  You can now stop the suggestions to turn off notifications from certain apps. Select the ellipses (…) in the notification and turn it off. You can also go to Settings > System > Notifications and turn it off from there. Look for “Notification Suggestions” in the senders list. An entry will only appear in the list after you receive a notification.

• [Start menu]​​​​​​​ New! “All apps” has the new name, “All.”

• [Narrator]

  • New! This update adds a new Narrator shortcut. Press the Narrator key + Ctrl + X to copy what Narrator last spoke to the clipboard. This shortcut is useful when you want to quickly copy some content, like codes or numbers for use.

  • New! It will now auto read the contents of an email message in the new Outlook. This is like the behavior in Outlook classic. 

Microsoft says that there are no known issues with this update.

A complete list of fixes can be found in the KB5044380 support bulletin.

For those running Windows 11 24H2, you will have to wait a little bit as its preview update has not been released yet.