Windows 11 24H2, 23H2 get update KB5053598, KB5053602 as March 2025 update

UPDATED 3/11/2025: Microsoft has released the March 2025 cumulative updates for Windows 11, addressing security vulnerabilities and introducing new features. These updates, KB5053598 for Windows 11 24H2 and KB5053602 for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2, are part of the Patch Tuesday rollout on March 11, 2025.

These updates primarily focus on enhancing security and internal operating system functionality. According to the official changes for March 11 (notes for Stable Channel preview update KB5052093 and notes for build 26100.3321 in the Release Preview Channel), Windows 11 build 26100.3476 (KB5053598) for version 24H2 makes sharing easier from the Jump List menu and rolls out improvements for the Windows Spotlight feature, File Explorer, and more.

According to the company (KB5053602 as build 22631.4969 notes in the Release Preview Channel and changes for preview build 22621.4974 and 22631.4974 in the Stable Channel), Windows 11 build 22631.5039 introduces a new way to share files from the Taskbar, rolls out improvements for the Windows Spotlight feature for the desktop experience, and File Explorer gains a bunch of fixes and improvements. 

In addition, you will find changes to the Lock Screen, Settings app, the Start menu, and mouse settings.

It’s important to note that the update KB5053602 is available as build 22621.5039 for version 22H2 with all the same changes, improvements, and fixes.

Windows 11 March 2025 update (24H2)

Windows 11 24H2 security fixes and improvements that are rolling out in this Patch Tuesday update.

Taskbar with new share option

Microsoft is developing a new option to share files directly from the Jump List on the Taskbar. This means you can now right-click the Notepad app and click the “Share” button next to your most recent files.

Spotlight for desktop new icon

Windows Spotlight makes it easier to find information about an image by hovering over it or clicking the “Learn about this picture” icon.

You will notice a new icon for the Spotlight feature and dynamic text related to the current wallpaper.

In addition, when you click the “Like” button for an image on the Lock Screen, you can find more information about it.

File Explorer with new option and fixes

As part of the File Explorer improvements, Microsoft is adding an option to snooze or turn off the “Start backup” prompt to back up files to OneDrive in the address bar.

Also, this update fixes problems processing URLs, address bar overlaps with the full-screen mode, performance loading folders with a large number of media files, and slow performance with the context menu and consistency in search results for cloud files.

Camera with multiple stream support

As part of the March 2025 update for version 24H2, this release introduces a new “Advanced camera options” page for the camera settings that unveil a couple of new features, including “multi-app camera” and “basic camera.”

• Allow multiple apps to use camera at the same time (multi-app camera): This feature allows you to stream the same camera across multiple apps.
• Media type: This option appears after turning on the “multi-app camera” feature, and it allows you to choose the preferred camera resolution and frame rate.
• Turn on basic camera (basic camera): This feature turns on basic camera functionality for debugging purposes. Microsoft recommends using this option as a last resort when your camera is not working correctly.

Windows Narrator

The Windows Narrator scan mode is getting several improvements with the March 2025 update:

• Skip past links (n): Jumps to the text immediately following a link.
• Jump to the start of an item (,): Jumps to the beginning of a large element (table, list, etc.).
• Jump to the end of an item (.): Jumps to the end of a large element (table, list, etc.).
• Jump to lists (l): Quickly navigates to the next list on the page or document.

Settings Home page with updated Game Pass card

If you happen to have a Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscription, the new card will now include an option to invite your friends to try the service for free.

Other improvements and fixes

This update also includes additional fixes and improvements, including a fix for a problem with the Start menu showing the wrong color when you open the account manager flyout menu.

The update KB5053598 addresses a problem that may not allow the system to recognize scanners.

Some audio issues have been resolved, including the volume potentially increasing to 100 percent when waking a computer from sleep, mute and unmute sounds playing repeatedly, and USB audio devices sometimes stopping after a short period of PC inactivity.

Furthermore, an issue causing incorrect image colors after using GDI+ to shrink the image has been fixed, and a bug where custom mouse pointer colors revert to white after a User Account Control (UAC) dialog appears has also been fixed.

Also, this update fixes the Settings app, which now shows the error message “The instruction at 0x00007FFEDEBDC003 referenced memory at 0x0000000000000010. The memory could not be read” because it stopped responding. If impacted, you might also see a similar error message with RuntimeBroker.exe. 

Microsoft is also addressing the issue with the drag-and-drop functionality not properly moving objects (such as files, emails, or attachments) in certain programs and monitor configurations.

Finally, Windows 11 build 26100.3476 includes Daylight Saving Time (DST) changes for Paraguay and fixes several issues, including the OpenSSH service failing to start (requiring manual execution of sshd.exe), the Get Help app failing to open on Windows Server 2025, Remote Desktop display rendering problems and unresponsive behavior when connecting to certain devices, and live captions windows not appearing after disconnecting an external monitor.

Changes no longer shipping with this update

Originally, Microsoft was planning to include a new option to show the battery percentage and new iconography for the battery icon in the Taskbar, but the company has decided to remove these changes for a future release.

This release was also supposed to roll out with new iconography for the battery icon to better inform you about the battery status. For example:

• Green: Indicates the computer is currently charging and the battery is in good condition.
• Yellow: Signifies that the device is running on battery power and has entered “energy saving mode.” This mode automatically activates when the battery level drops to 20% or lower to conserve power.
• Red: Warns of a critically low battery. It’s crucial to plug in the PC immediately to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
• Black/white: Normal state when the computer is running on battery.

Windows 11 March 2025 update (23H2)

These are the security fixes and improvements that are rolling out in this Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2.

Taskbar new share option

Starting with the update KB5053602, Microsoft is adding a new option to share files directly from the Jump List from the Taskbar. This means you can now right-click the Notepad app and click the “Share” button next to your most recent files.

Spotlight for desktop new icon

The company is also planning some changes for Windows Spotlight to make it easier to find information about an image by hovering over it or clicking the “Learn about this picture” icon.

You will notice a new icon for the Spotlight feature and dynamic text related to the current wallpaper.

In addition, when you click the “Like” button for an image on the Lock Screen, you will be able to find more information about the image.

File Explorer with new option and fixes

As part of the File Explorer improvements, Microsoft is adding an option to snooze or turn off the “Start backup” prompt to back up files to OneDrive in the address bar.

Also, this update fixes problems processing URLs, address bar overlaps with the full-screen mode, slowness with the context menu for cloud files,  and thumbnails for search.

Windows Narrator

For accessibility, the Windows Narrator scan mode has new features:

• Skip past links (n): Jumps to the text immediately following a link.
• Jump to the start of an item (,): Jumps to the beginning of a large element (table, list, etc.).
• Jump to the end of an item (.): Jumps to the end of a large element (table, list, etc.).
• Jump to lists (l): Quickly navigates to the next list on the page or document.

Settings Home page with updated Game Pass card

If you happen to have a Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription, the new card will now include an option to invite your friends to try the service for free.

Other improvements and fixes

In this release, the Start menu doesn’t get any new features, but the development team has fixed a problem with it showing the wrong color when you open the account manager flyout menu.

Windows 11 build 22631.5039 also addresses a problem that reverted to the default white color when choosing a different color for the mouse after the User Account Control (UAC) dialog appears.

In addition, you will find fixes for the Open Secure Shell (OpenSSH) service not starting and dwm.exe stops responding.

Furthermore, this release updates Paraguay Daylight saving time support (DST) and the Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles for certain mobile operators.

Installation process

To download and install these Windows 11 updates, open the “Windows Update” settings, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option, and click the “Check for Updates” button. It’s important to note that it may take some time until you see the new features and changes on your computer as Microsoft gradually rolls out improvements.

If you prefer manually installing the March 2025 update for Windows 11, download the update for version 24H2 from the Microsoft Update Catalog website. The update for version 23H2 can be found on this Microsoft support page.

It’s important to note that this update was originally available for version 23H2 in the Release Preview Channel as Windows 11 build 22631.4969 (KB5052094). For version 24H2, Microsoft is rolling out a similar update known as Windows 11 build 26100.3321 (KB5052093).

On February 25, 2025, the updates became available in the Stable channels with the same KB number but as build 26100.3323 for version 24H2 and as build 22631.4974 for version 23H2. 

Update March 11, 2025: This content has been updated with new information, and it’s been revised to ensure accuracy.