Microsoft has recently unveiled Windows 11 Builds 22621.3078 and 22631.3078 (KB5034204) to Windows Insiders on the Release Preview Channel. These updates introduce a range of features, enhancements, and fixes aimed at refining the Windows 11 experience.

New Features and Enhancements

Expanded Digital Handwriting Support:

The ability to use digital handwriting (inking) in Windows Ink has been extended to several languages and locales, including Chinese Simplified, English (Australia, Canada, India, United Kingdom), French (Canada, France), German (Germany), Italian (Italy), Japanese (Japan), Korean (Korea), Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Mexico, Spain). This expansion enhances recognition technology and introduces gestures for improved functionality, such as selecting, joining, deleting, and splitting words, as well as inserting new lines. (pureinfotech.com)

Backup Eye Control System Settings:

A new feature enables users to back up and automatically transfer eye control system settings when setting up a new device. This ensures a seamless transition for users who rely on eye control for accessibility. (pureinfotech.com)

Improvements and Fixes

File Explorer Enhancements:

The update addresses an issue where certain types of 7-Zip files appeared empty in File Explorer, improving file management and user experience. (pureinfotech.com)

Start Menu Search Reliability:

A deadlock issue that prevented the Start menu search from functioning correctly for some users has been resolved, enhancing system responsiveness. (support.microsoft.com)

Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) Support:

The update addresses an issue affecting WPA3 in the Group Policy editor, ensuring HTML preview rendering functions correctly. (support.microsoft.com)

Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Caching:

A caching problem with WMI that caused the CurrentTimeZone to change to an incorrect value has been fixed, improving system stability. (support.microsoft.com)

Power Transition Reliability:

The update enhances Windows' reliability during power transitions, reducing the risk of stop errors. (support.microsoft.com)

OpenType Font Driver Issue:

An issue affecting the OpenType font driver, which impacted text rendering for third-party applications on certain hardware configurations, has been addressed. (support.microsoft.com)

COLRv1 Color Font Format:

The update resolves a known issue with the color font format for COLRv1, ensuring proper rendering of emoji-like 3D fonts. (support.microsoft.com)

Video Call Reliability:

Improvements have been made to make video calls more reliable, enhancing communication experiences. (support.microsoft.com)

BitLocker Data-Only Encryption:

An issue affecting BitLocker data-only encryption, which caused a mobile device management (MDM) service to not receive the correct data, has been addressed. (support.microsoft.com)

Print Support Application Freeze:

The update resolves an intermittent device freeze that occurred after installing a print support application, improving system responsiveness. (support.microsoft.com)

File Explorer Gallery Tooltip:

An issue in the File Explorer Gallery that prevented users from closing a tooltip has been fixed, enhancing user interface functionality. (support.microsoft.com)

Bluetooth Audio Issues:

The update addresses issues with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio earbuds losing sound when streaming music and audio not routing through the PC during Bluetooth phone calls. (support.microsoft.com)

Installation and Availability

As an optional update, KB5034204 is available through Windows Update. Users can navigate to Settings > Windows Update and click on "Check for updates" to download and install the update. Alternatively, the update can be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog. (support.microsoft.com)

Known Issues

Some users have reported installation failures with error code 0x8007000d. To resolve this, running the Windows Update troubleshooter or performing a system file check (sfc /scannow) may help. (minitool.com)

Additionally, there have been reports of File Explorer and Taskbar crashes post-installation. In such cases, uninstalling the update and hiding it using the "Show or hide updates" tool may be necessary. (minitool.com)

Conclusion

The release of Windows 11 Builds 22621.3078 and 22631.3078 (KB5034204) brings significant enhancements and fixes aimed at improving user experience and system stability. Users are encouraged to install the update to benefit from these improvements while remaining mindful of potential issues and their resolutions.