Windows news you can use: October 2024

[ThomasTrombley]

Learn more about what’s new in Windows 11, version 24H2 and the enhancements made possible through continuous innovation across Windows update and device management, security, Copilot+ PCs, and Windows Server. You’ll also find important lifecycle and preview news.

New in Windows update and device management​

• [24H2] The Windows 11, version 24H2 feature update began a gradual rollout this month. With it, you can get a new security baseline, administrative templates, Group Policy settings, Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT), and channels to test it and learn more. To manage Windows Server roles and features from a Windows 11 device, go to Settings > Apps > Optional features > Add an optional feature, select View features, and search for "RSAT.”
• [WINDOWS UPDATE] Windows 11, version 24H2 monthly updates are at least 43.6% faster to install and 33.5% faster to restart. Get reduced CPU usage times and smaller download sizes for feature updates. Additionally, Windows 11, version 24H2 comes with the new servicing model of checkpoint cumulative updates, introduced to Windows Insiders earlier this year.
• [INTUNE] Have you experienced disruption issues when using Windows Autopilot with Microsoft Entra hybrid join? Before unjoining and rejoining Microsoft Entra hybrid devices, always unenroll them from mobile device management (MDM).
• [W365] Considering a move to Windows 365 Enterprise or Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs? See this comprehensive migration guide.

New in Windows security​

This Cybersecurity awareness month, brush up on Microsoft resources for security teams, and then get a start on this month’s innovations.

• [24H2] When you install Windows 11, version 24H2, you get the following security features and capabilities: Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) policy improvements and new automatic account management, Personal Data Encryption (PDE) for folders, App Control for Business, Windows protected print mode, Local Security Authority (LSA), rust in the Windows kernel, SHA-3 support, and more. Additionally, review the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol changes.
• [SUDO] You can take advantage of Sudo for Windows, previously available to Windows Insiders only, on Windows 11, version 24H2. If you enable it from Windows Settings > System > For Developers, you can run elevated commands (as an administrator) directly from an unelevated console session on Windows. Note that it comes disabled with the new security baseline.
• [CYBERSECURITY] Download the Be Cybersmart Kit and take advantage of other learning and support opportunities at Cybersecurity Awareness - Education and Resources. If you didn’t attend the October 30 event, watch the recording for Build a Security-First Culture in the Era of AI.
• [CYBERSECURITY] Do you know what to do about Kerberoasting, an Active Directory attack vector? Learn what it is, how to detect it, and how to prevent it with guidance to help mitigate Kerberoasting.
• [PASSWORDLESS] If you haven’t yet, help users at your organization save and sync passkeys for their Microsoft account with Windows Hello. Soon, they’ll be able to use those synced passkeys across multiple Windows 11 devices, including mobile. Once available to Windows Insiders in the coming months, they’ll just sign in to another Windows 11 device with their Microsoft account and complete a one-time setup.
• [PRINT] Improve endpoint security and eliminate driver issues by enabling Windows protected print mode. To enable it, open the Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers. Select and hold (or right-click) on Configure Windows protected print and select Edit. Select the Enabled radio button, then select Apply, then OK.

New in Copilot+ PCs and AI​

• [COPILOT KEY] On devices with the Copilot key, configure it in Settings > Personalization > Text input or with the SetCopilotHardwareKey policy. This setting will do nothing for PCs without the Copilot key. For users signed in to their account with a Microsoft Entra ID, the key opens the Microsoft 365 app. To change it to another app, the app must be in a signed MSIX package. This setting is available on Windows 11, versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2 with the October 2024 non-security preview update.
• [COPILOT+ PC] Windows 11, version 24H2 offers several exclusive features for Copilot+ PCs. These include Live Captions, Windows Studio Effects, Automatic Super Resolution, Cocreator in Paint, and Microsoft Photos restyle Image and Image Creator.
• [DEFENDER] If you intend to onboard your Copilot+ PCs to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, you might need to install the Windows Sense Client.

New in Windows Server​

• [ADMIN] Investigate and manage Windows Server with Windows Admin Center, now in public preview. Thanks to multiple improvements, you get improved virtual machine (VM) management options, easier installation, and seamless data migration.
• [WS 2025][PREVIEW] If you’re a Windows Server Insider, Windows Server Preview Build 26311 and Build 26304 are available.
• [SECURITY][PREVIEW] Preview the Windows Server 2025 Security Baseline with its three categories: Domain Controller (DC), Member Server, and Workgroup Member.
• [WDAC][PREVIEW] In the Windows Server Preview Build 26304, apply a new default policy via OSconfig to configure Windows Defender Application Control for Business (WDAC).
• [DATACENTER][PREVIEW] Try Windows Server 2025 Datacenter: Azure Edition preview build 26304 in Microsoft Azure. It’s available for both Desktop experience and Core version.

New in productivity and collaboration​

• [24H2] Experience better productivity with Windows 11, version 24H2. Its key features include: energy saver, hearing aid support with Bluetooth LE Audio, and Wi-Fi 7 support, as well as improvements to location settings, File Explorer, the taskbar, the system tray, and more.

Get the October 2024 security update to start using the following improvements, which might be rolled out gradually.

• [ACCOUNT] If you’re on Windows 11, version 23H2 or 22H2, you can now manage your Copilot Pro subscription in Settings > Accounts when signed in to your Microsoft account. You can also share local files directly from the Search box results on your taskbar.

Install the October 2024 non-security preview update to get the following Windows 11 improvements ahead of next month’s quality update:

• [NARRATOR] You can now copy what Narrator last spoke to clipboard with a new shortcut Narrator key + Ctrl + X. Additionally, use Narrator to read contents of a mail in the new Outlook app.
• [SETTINGS] Stop suggestions to turn off notifications from certain apps. Go to Settings > System > Notifications, look for “Notification Suggestions” in the senders list, and turn it off.
• [24H2] Preview additional improvements for your Windows 11, version 24H2 devices:
  • [NETWORKING] If you use the netsh wlan show networks command, read Wi-Fi SSIDs with Unicode characters seamlessly.
  • [WINDOWS SANDBOX][PREVIEW] Preview Windows Sandbox Client on Windows 11, version 24H2. Use the ellipsis icon (…) at the upper right on the app to access runtime clipboard redirection, audio/video input control, and the ability to share folders with the host at runtime.

Support user productivity at your organization with a new LinkedIn course, Windows 11 Essential Training.

Lifecycle milestones​

Check out our lifecycle documentation for the latest updates on Deprecated features in the Windows client and Features removed or no longer developed starting with Windows Server 2025 (preview).

• [24H2] Update your records with Windows 11, version 24H2 lifecycle dates. Home and Pro editions will be serviced through October 13, 2026. Enterprise and Education editions will be serviced through October 12, 2027.
• [WINDOWS 11 LTSC] Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 is now available for five-year support. Its features are similar to Windows 11, version 24H2, including improvements in management and servicing, accessibility, networking, security, and energy savings.
• [IOT LTSC] Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 began its 10-year support lifecycle this month. Its features are similar to Windows 11, version 24H2, including improvements in management and servicing, accessibility, security, and energy savings. You can download it from Microsoft Evaluation Center today.
• [WINDOWS 11 22H2] Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, version 22H2 and Windows 11, version 21H2 (Enterprise, Education, and IoT) reached end of servicing on October 8, 2024. They will no longer receive security or non-security, preview updates. We recommend that you update these devices to the latest version of Windows. Note: We will continue to support Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11, version 22H2 through October 14, 2025.
• [SERVER] In light of the upcoming PPTP and L2TP deprecation from future Windows Server versions, please start transitioning to more secure and efficient alternatives: SSTP and IKEv2.
• [VBSCRIPT] Starting this month, VBScript is available as a Feature on Demand (FoD) and is enabled by default on Windows 11, version 24H2. This marks the beginning of Phase 1 of VBScript deprecation.
• [WINDOWS 10] To help you plan for Windows 10 end of support in 12 months, use the Windows 10 End Of Support Calculator. Additionally, answer a few questions to evaluate your readiness for Windows 11 migration.

Windows Insider Preview news​

In celebration of 10 years of the Windows Insider Program, rewatch this month’s Windows Insider Webcast and subscribe to Windows Insider Program on YouTube.

Here’s a summary of this month’s new experiences available to Windows Insiders. Remember that gradual rollout reaches some devices earlier than others.

• [DEV][PREVIEW] Try the following Windows 11 innovations that have been released in three waves this month.
  • On Build 26120.2122, try the new “Copy as table” feature in Snipping Tool!
  • Build 26120.2200 brings updates to the Dynamic Lighting settings page, such as placeholder options for potential devices and direction options for the Wave and Gradient effects. Access Windows Studio Effects in Quick Settings from the system tray of the taskbar to use AI-based camera and audio enhancements. Hover over the new icon in the system tray to see which application is using the camera.
• [BETA][PREVIEW] Depending on the build you’re on, try this:
  • On Build 22635.4371, try the new “Copy as table” feature in Snipping Tool!
  • Share local files directly to supported apps by right-clicking them from File Explorer or the desktop (Build 22635.4367).
  • Build 22635.4435 brings updates to the Dynamic Lighting settings page, such as placeholder options for potential devices and direction options for the Wave and Gradient effects. You can also launch apps as an admin by holding Shift + CTRL and selecting the jump list item in the Start menu or taskbar.
• [CANARY][PREVIEW] Build 27729 includes the same “Copy as table” feature in Snipping Tool in the Canary Channel.

Note: Many new features are rolled out gradually and belong to different build versions. If you want to be the first to get features, you can switch the toggle to On to get the latest updates as soon as they are available via Settings > Windows Update. Please visit the Windows Insider Blog for complete details.

If you haven’t yet, register to experience the latest innovations for AI transformation at Microsoft Ignite in November. Until then!

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