- Microsoft has released update KB5077241 for Windows 11
- This update brings new features and fixes – and no AI!
- It will automatically download on March 10
It’s no secret that Microsoft has been having a bit of a difficult time of it lately, with its recent Windows 11 updates seemingly breaking more things than they fix, while adding AI features a lot of people hadn’t asked for. I’m hopeful that its latest update could change that.
As Windows Central reports, Microsoft has made the Windows 11 KB5077241 update available to download for all. While it’s currently an optional update, as it doesn’t feature any urgent security fixes, it will be automatically installed during the next ‘Patch Tuesday’, which is on March 10.
Still, this update comes with enough improvements that I’ll be installing it ASAP, and I suggest most of you do, too.
Here are the features I think are worth checking out, as they can massively improve your Windows 11 experience:
New built-in network speed test
This is the feature that will likely get the most use for me, and for anyone who regularly finds themselves typing ‘speed test’ into Google to check their internet speed. With the new update, Microsoft is adding a network speed test to the taskbar, and it can be accessed via Wi-Fi Quick Settings, or by right-clicking the network icon in the taskbar.
This should make it quick and easy to check your network speed, which can be really useful if you’ve noticed your internet has been slow on your PC and want to find out why. If you install a new router (hopefully one from our best routers buying guide), checking the speeds your devices are able to get in various parts of your house can really help as well.
One thing that does worry me is in Microsoft’s release notes, it says: “The speed test opens in the default browser and measures Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and cellular connections.” I hope this doesn’t mean it will open up Microsoft’s Edge browser, rather than the default browser you’ve picked (such as Chrome) and run Bing’s speed checker tool.
While I’ve installed the update myself, this is what Microsoft calls a ‘gradual update’ which means not all features will be available right away, and it seems I’ll need to wait a little longer to try out the speed test feature myself.
Pan and tilt camera controls
Another welcome addition with this update is that you can control the pan and tilt for supported webcams via Windows 11’s Settings app. For advanced webcams that offer pan and tilt controls to help position the camera for the best possible view, this is a great feature to have.
Other improvements
As well as adding new features, this update also aims to make Windows 11 more pleasant to use by fixing several issues.
That includes improving the reliability with which PCs wake up from sleep mode — something I’m particularly glad to see, as across my numerous Windows 11 devices, including the Asus ROG Ally X gaming handheld, I’ve found that when waking the devices from sleep (rather than switching them on again after being fully shut down) there can sometimes be issues with peripherals not working, or in the case of the handheld, the touchscreen not registering taps.
So, any improvements here will be very welcome, and should hopefully make Windows 11 feel more polished.
Other updates include improvements to the overall look of Windows 11, so it appears more consistent, tweaks to how Windows 11 connects and uses projectors and printers, and better sign-in screen performance. Windows Update’s settings page should run better as well.
A good start, but there’s a lot more work to be done
Having endured several recent Windows 11 updates that seem to just add AI features I’ll rarely – if ever – use, without addressing any of my major issues with the operating system, I’m relieved to see an update that I actually want to install.
Windows 11 is far from perfect, and I still have a lot of issues with the operating system and how it works
There are some nice new features and quality of life improvements, and while the polishing of some of Windows 11’s rough edges nearly five years after the operating system was launched feels a little late in the day, I’m glad that this seems to be an update where Microsoft is looking to improve Windows 11 for its users.
There’s still a lot of work to be done, as Windows 11 is far from perfect, and I still have a lot of issues with the operating system and how it works.
And, while this update seems mercifully free from unwanted AI features, I still have some concerns that Microsoft hasn’t completely grasped what people dislike about Windows 11 at the moment. As I mentioned earlier, the built-in network speed test is a cool idea, but I worry it’ll be used to force people to use Microsoft’s Edge browser and Bing search engine.
Also, as my colleague Darren noted when he first reported on this update, Microsoft is changing the accounts section in the Start menu that now, according to Microsoft, “includes a new option that directs you to the benefits page, making it easier to explore and manage your Microsoft account benefits,” which sounds suspiciously like yet another way for Microsoft to get Windows 11 users to sign up for more services, such as OneDrive or Office 365. If there’s one thing Windows 11 users aren’t crying out for, it’s more ads in the operating system.
Despite those reservations, I’m feeling more positive about this update than previous releases, and I hope it’s a sign that Microsoft is serious about addressing people’s problems with Windows 11. Now almost five years old, a lot of people’s perception of Windows 11 has been set, but there’s still a chance for Microsoft to win the naysayers over – it just needs to release more updates like this.
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