Microsoft is now providing administrators with a new Windows 11 policy that controls how monthly non-security preview updates are installed on business devices.
See also: Windows 11's new modern File Explorer
The newly introduced policy provides IT administrators with the tools they need to manage the implementation of new Windows 11 features and fixes before the general release scheduled each month on Patch Tuesday.
By checking “Enable optional updates,” users are allowed to configure access to optional updates within the organization on systems running at least Windows 11 22H2.
See also: Install Windows 11 without the annoying bloatware
After activation, users can choose to receive optional updates automatically, which may include controlled feature releases (CFRs), or they can manually select which optional updates they want to install.
On devices where the new policy is configured, users can choose to:
- Automatically receive the latest optional updates by selecting “Automatically receive optional updates (including CFRs).
- Automatically receive optional cumulative updates only if “Automatically receive optional updates” is selected.
- Choose which optional updates you receive by going to Settings > Windows Update › Advanced options > Optional updates and selecting “Users can select which optional updates to receive.”
Users also have the option to enable the “Get the latest updates as soon as they're available” switch, which will automatically provide optional updates and incremental feature releases (this will require a system restart).
According to Microsoft, all quality update deferral settings will be honored, regardless of the choice made after configuring the policy.
Of course, some users may choose to do nothing until the optional updates reach their device as usual, said Anton Fontanov, Microsoft Program Manager.
Regardless of the choice they make, you can be sure that users' devices will receive regular security updates, exactly as you have configured them.
For Windows 11 devices managed through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Windows Update for Business, the policy can be found at the following location:
- Group Policy: /Windows Components/Windows Update/Manage end user experience/Enable optional non-security updates
- Configuration Service Provider (CSP) Policy: /Policy/Config/Update/AllowOptionalContent
Today, Microsoft also released the non-security preview of the KB5029351 August 2023 update for Windows 11 22H2 with fixes for several search issues.
The optional update fixes an issue when waking the system from sleep mode where clicking the search icon fails to launch the Search app.
Additionally, it improves the reliability of the Search app and addresses an issue that affects the dimensions of the search box when using Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Book devices in tablet mode.
Information source: bleepingcomputer.com
