Microsoft introduces Update Stack Packages in the Windows 11 Dev Channel

Microsoft has just released a new feature in the Windows 11 Dev Channel that allows developers to create their own update packages. This means that developers can now build and release updates to their applications without having to go through Microsoft’s update process.

Microsoft has introduced Update Stack Packages in the Windows 11 Dev Channel. The packages are used to update applications and services without requiring a full system reinstallation. This is beneficial for developers as it allows them to test their apps without having to worry about breaking anything.

Alexandru Poloboc is an author.

Editor of the News

Alex spent the most of his time working as a news reporter, anchor, and on TV and radio, with an overwhelming urge to always get to the bottom of things and discover the truth… Continue reading

Did you know that a new Windows 11 Dev Channel build is currently available for Insiders? Not only that, but it also brings a few post-RTM enhancements to the new system.

Not only has Microsoft had a busy month with the release of Windows 11, but the firm is also commemorating the 7th anniversary of the Insider program.

Microsoft is providing unique desktop backgrounds to celebrate this milestone, allowing you to flaunt your status as a die-hard Windows 11 supporter!

For the dark theme, you can get the unique backdrop here, and for the light theme, you can download it here.

Is there anything new in build 22478?

So, since it’s the big subject of the day, let’s start with the updated emoji set. The Microsoft Design Team revealed in July that updated and new Fluent-designed emoji were coming to all of Microsoft 365, including Windows.

Starting with this newest Dev Channel version, Insiders are getting a first glimpse at how the new emojis will appear in Windows 11.

And, while we’re on the subject, you should know that these new and amazing emojis were only available in certain applications, not throughout the whole operating system, as we had assumed.

The following are some of the additional modifications and enhancements introduced to this version of the OS:

Everyone in the Dev Channel now has access to the latest version of the Korean IME, which started rolling out with Build 22454.
When your laptop is closed, you may now use Facial Recognition (Windows Hello) on a linked external display with a camera that supports it to log into your PC.
Changes were made to the underlying indexer platform to enhance general reliability and database size, which should assist decrease system disk space consumption – especially in instances where customers had extremely big Outlook mailboxes.
The current volume level may now be changed by scrolling your mouse wheel over the volume symbol in the Taskbar.
When adding a new language in Settings, some minor changes were made to the dialog, like rounding the edges, to make it seem a bit more contemporary.

Update Stack Packages are being introduced by Microsoft.

Microsoft chose to test a method for providing new update improvements to customers outside of major OS upgrades with Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel beginning with Build 22478, in addition to other projects they are presently working on.

Developers may use the Update Stack Package to enhance the update experience before the PC receives a monthly or feature update.

This will increase the chances of your PC successfully installing new updates while providing the best and least intrusive experience possible.

The Update Stack Package is currently restricted to a tiny collection of update-related system files that are created independently of the OS.

The firm hopes to increase the breadth and frequency of releases in the future by first testing this approach with Windows Insiders.

Insiders will get Update Stack Packages via Windows Update, much as builds and cumulative updates.

What about repairs?

It’s time to look at some changes and see what exactly the tech behemoth has addressed with this software update.

[Start]

If you hit ESC after accessing the user profile flyout in Start, your keyboard focus will not be lost.
When pinning anything from a UWP app to Start, the prompt wording has been updated to simply read “Do you want to pin something to Start?”

[Taskbar]

In recent versions, a bug was fixed that caused Notification Center to get stuck in a condition where it would not start.
When hovering over the Task View icon in the Taskbar in Arabic and Hebrew languages, the + symbol for adding a new Desktop will now show correctly.
Right-clicking on an app’s name after bringing up the app’s jump list from the Taskbar should now display the proper icon for Pin to Start (a pin icon).
Explorer.exe should no longer crash if you left and right click the Taskbar at the same time.

[File Explorer] (Windows)

When navigating to directories, the command bar was performing superfluous computations, resulting in an unexpected drop in performance. This is also thought to be the source of performance problems when dragging files or using the arrow keys to move through specific directories.
When several File Explorer windows are active, the Show hidden objects option should no longer be out of sync.

[Widgets]

We’re removing the following two problems from the known issues list since they’ve been resolved in Microsoft Edge version 95, which is now available for Microsoft Edge Insiders:

It’s possible that the widgets board is empty.
External displays may show widgets in the incorrect size.

[Search]

If an admin window is in focus, the recent searches flyout that appears when hovering over the search symbol in the Taskbar should no longer disappear on invocation.

[Input]

When using a tablet with the Taskbar configured to auto-hide, setting focus to the search box in File Explorer should no longer cause the touch keyboard to appear and then disappear.
When using the handwriting panel to write Chinese, it would not enter text. This has been fixed.
A memory leak in ctfmon was fixed, which may have resulted in unanticipated resource consumption over time.
For a limited number of users, a bug was fixed that caused TextInputHost.exe to crash when the focus was placed on any text field.

[Settings]

Fixed an issue that caused Settings to crash when radio buttons were changed, such as when you connected an extra audio endpoint while the Sound tab was active in Settings.
The loading of the themes shown in Personalization Settings has been improved.
If a non-admin user changes their display language in Language Settings, the clickable sign-out button will no longer appear, since it was creating confusion by triggering a UAC prompt.
In languages like German, the Windows Update item at the top of the System page in Settings should no longer be misaligned with the other choices (when displayed).
The Braille choices in Narrator’s Settings should now reflect the current status of the Braille input/output mode.
Changed to help solve an issue where the Network and Sharing Center’s “Media streaming choices” would return to default settings following an update.
Reliability of Quick Settings startup has been improved. This update should also help to resolve the problem that causes the window to not render completely (just a thin rectangle).
In certain instances, when you clicked on the media controls section in Quick Settings, it didn’t bring the app that was shown to the forefront.
When using a contrast theme, the colors for objects in Quick Settings may become stuck and not represent the correct hue for that state.
The “Volume” field on the Quick Settings page for controlling audio endpoints has been changed to “Sound output.”
When several devices are listed on the page for controlling audio endpoints in Quick Settings, audio playing should no longer be interrupted.

[Windowing]

Added a fix for an issue where pressing ALT + Tab rapidly may cause explorer.exe to crash.
After hitting ALT + Tab and holding down ALT and pressing F4, explorer.exe will no longer crash.
When dragging an app window to a separate Desktop while using the Arabic or Hebrew display languages, the thumbnail should now move in the proper direction.

[Other]

Fixed a casing problem that caused LP.cab files to be deleted unexpectedly in certain instances, causing your display language to change until you put the appropriate display language back in Settings.
A bugcheck with the error “KERNEL SECURITY CHECK ERROR” was being shown for certain users.
In recent versions, a bug was fixed that caused the SysMain service to consume an excessive amount of power.
If the display order is absent in the BCD settings, the upgrade should no longer fail.
In certain applications, captions were drawing at the incorrect offset due to a bug.
Fixed an issue with audiosrv.dll that was causing crashes.
The volume and accessibility controls should now appear on the right side of the screen when using an Arabic or Hebrew display language in OOBE.

NOTE

Some of the improvements from the active development branch may find their way into the maintenance updates for Windows 11, which was released to the public on October 5th.

Is there anything wrong with the latest build?

[General]

Users upgrading to newer Dev Channel builds using the newest Dev Channel ISO from Builds 22000.xxx or older may get the following warning message: Flight Signed is the build you’re attempting to install. Enable flight signing to continue installing. If you see this warning, click the Enable button, restart your computer, and try again with the update.
Some users may notice a reduction in screen and sleep timeouts. Shorter screen and sleep timeouts may have an effect on energy usage, which we’re looking at.

[Start]

When using Search from Start or the Taskbar, you may be unable to input text in certain situations. If the problem persists, open the Run dialog box by pressing WIN + R on the keyboard, then shut it.

[Taskbar]

When switching input methods, the Taskbar will sometimes flicker.
We’re working on a fix for a bug that causes tooltips to display in unexpected places when you hover over a Taskbar corner.

[Search]

The Search panel may not open after clicking the Search button on the Taskbar. Restart the “Windows Explorer” process and reopen the search panel if this happens.
The search panel may look dark, with no information underneath the search field.

[Quick Options]

Microsoft is looking into complaints from Insiders that the volume and brightness sliders in Quick Settings aren’t working correctly.

Are you a member of the Dev Channel Insiders? Please tell us about your new experience in the comments area below.

Was this page of assistance to you?

Thank you very much!

There are insufficient details It’s difficult to comprehend Other Speak with a Professional

Start a discussion.

In an effort to make updating Windows 10 easier, Microsoft has introduced Update Stack Packages in the Windows 11 Dev Channel. This will allow users to update their OS without having to worry about downloading and installing updates one by one. Reference: servicing stack update for windows 10, version 2004.