Clippy-like AI at forefront of Windows update previews

Bugfixes for Windows 10, but 11 is where the Copilot action is

Microsoft has rolled out updates for Windows 10 and 11 in the form of KB5031445 and KB5031455, respectively, which fix bugs in both and turn on new features in the latter.

The update previews include several bug fixes, including memory leaks in ctfmon.exe and TextInputHost.exe, and represent a preview of the non-security changes due to hit on November's Patch Tuesday.

Unsurprisingly, there is little by way of new functionality in the Windows 10 22H2 KB5031445 update. As well as the issues described above, the update also deals with v4 print driver problems, an Outlook freeze when attempting to print to an Internet Printing Protocol printer, and network issues when a second network card is added.

Microsoft also highlighted addressing issues that affected touchscreens when more than one display was attached.

However, the Windows 11 22H2 KB5031455 update was considerably beefier. As well as the fixes applied to its predecessor, the update also switched on the new functionality of Moment 4.

Or, as a cynic might put it, an attempt to ram AI down the throats of Windows users.

Unsurprisingly, considering Microsoft's bet on AI, the preview of Copilot comes top of the list of highlights. Other changes in Moment 4 include AI features in Microsoft Paint and Photos, a backup application, support for more archive formats, and yet more tweaks to the veteran Notepad applications in terms of autosaving.

You'd be correct if you thought this all looked very familiar and 23H2-like. Windows 11 23H2 has yet to formally appear, but the updates first turned up in September for users who sought them out. Today's update is available to all Windows 11 22H2 users opting to receive the preview. It will then arrive as part of November's Patch Tuesday.

The KB5031455 update for Windows 11 is a reminder that the old days of significant new features turning up with major operating system releases are gone. Microsoft can now sling out features as and when they are available, even if some might be considered an early delivery of what was due in Windows 11 23H2. ®