Microsoft has unveiled the KB5034763 cumulative update for Windows 10 21H2 and 22H2, featuring a modest set of changes, particularly aligning with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This mandatory update, encompassing the February 2024 Patch Tuesday security updates, prompts Windows users to manually initiate installation through the ‘Check for Updates’ option in Settings. The update ensures a smoother experience by allowing users to schedule system restarts for installation convenience.
Among the notable alterations, Windows 10 will now honor the configured default browser for all links, eliminating the previous constraint that directed certain URLs to open exclusively in Microsoft Edge. This significant shift is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to comply with Europe’s DMA and is expected to roll out gradually, achieving compliance for Windows 10, version 22H2 PCs in the European Economic Area (EEA) by March 6, 2024. Additional changes include a more immersive weather experience on the lock screen, addressing explorer.exe issues during PC restarts with controller accessories, and enhancing the security of downloads from Windows Metadata and Internet Services (WMIS) over HTTPS.
However, the update does not come without its share of persisting issues, including Copilot causing icon switching between multiple monitors and Copilot’s lack of support if the taskbar is vertically positioned on the left or right of the screen. Microsoft also acknowledges existing problems like error 0xd0000034 during Windows 11 upgrades from Windows Update. Despite these challenges, the update strives to enhance user experience and security while maintaining transparency about known issues.
