Latest Windows 11 22H2 non-security update adds Start Menu notifications

Kip Kniskern

Microsoft has released a non-security update for Windows 11 22H2 with build 22621.1485 (KB5023778). The update, which follows the updated cadence of releasing security updates on the second Tuesday of the month and non-security updates like this one on the fourth Tuesday, makes one notable upcoming change, adding notifications (some would say “ads”) to the Start Menu:

New!This update introduces notifications for Microsoft accounts in the Start menu. This is only available to a small audience right now. It will deploy more broadly in the coming months. Some devices might notice different visual treatments as we gather feedback. See the example below.

Badging on Start menu

22621.1485 also makes a change we’ve seen in recent Windows Insider updates, changing the search box on the taskbar to a lighter color when you use a custom color combination:

  • New!The search box on the taskbar will be lighter when you set Windows to a custom color mode. This will occur when you set the Windows mode to dark and the app mode to light in Settings > Personalization > Colors.

The update also includes a number of issues addressed, as well as a long list of improvements. You can check out the Microsoft Support post for all the details.

To install this update, “Go to Settings Update & Security > Windows Update. In the Optional updates available area, you’ll find the link to download and install the update.”