If you are running Windows 11 version 24H2 on your device, you might want to check for updates. Microsoft has released a new cumulative update KB5050009 for Windows 11 24H2 and KB5050021 for versions 23H2 and 22H2. These security updates address vulnerabilities and strengthen defences against BYOVD attacks. Today’s update also a new section for touchscreen edge gestures, enable sharing content to an Android device from the context menu in File Explorer and on the desktop, updates to Dynamic Lighting Settings and more. You can download the Windows 11 KB5050009 update from Settings > Windows Update and click on ‘Check for Updates.’
Well If you want to skip this particular cumulative update, you’ll need to pause it by hitting on the ‘pause updates’ button for up to 7 days. Also, Windows 11 KB5050009 offline installers are available for download on the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Windows 11 KB5050009 update
Being part of the January 2025 Patch Tuesday update, the primary focus of Windows 11 KB5050009 is enhancing protection against Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks. The update includes an updated Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist (DriverSiPolicy.p7b). This blocklist prevents known vulnerable kernel drivers from loading, mitigating a common attack vector used to gain elevated privileges and compromise system security.
[Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)] This update adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
Beyond security, KB5050009 introduces several user-facing enhancements:
- Touchscreen Edge Gestures: New settings allow users to disable left or right screen edge touch gestures (Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touch).
- IME Toolbar: The Input Method Editor (IME) toolbar now hides when apps are in full-screen mode while typing Chinese or Japanese characters.
- File Explorer:
- Content sharing to Android devices is now possible directly from the context menu (requires Phone Link setup).
- Fixes address spacing issues in the left pane and a cut-off search box in small windows.
- Dynamic Lighting: Improved handling of non-connected devices and added new direction options (Forward, Backward, Outward, Inward) to the Wave effect, and Forward to the Gradient effect.
- Jump Lists: Holding Shift + CTRL and clicking a jump list item now opens it with administrator privileges.
- Speech in Windows: Speech-to-text and text-to-speech features have been improved, potentially requiring manual updates of language files from the Microsoft Store. This affects Narrator, voice access, live captions, live translations, and voice typing.
- Display:
- Addresses issues with app windows accumulating in a corner after sleep when using multiple monitors.
- Fixes incorrect Mica material display with slideshow backgrounds.
- Resolves lag and screen tearing on some secondary displays in full-screen mode.
- Mouse: The “Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key” feature now displays correctly sized circles on all displays.
- Clipboard: Fixes an issue where clipboard history might appear empty despite being enabled and containing copied content.
Microsoft has acknowledged known issues:
- OpenSSH Service: The update may prevent the OpenSSH service from starting.
- Citrix Components: Certain Citrix components, particularly Citrix Session Recording Agent (SRA) version 2411, may cause installation problems.
You can read the complete changelog at Microsoft’s official site here.
Download Windows 11 latest updates
It’s an important update and Microsoft recommends downloading and installing Windows 11 updates immediately on your device. The new build can be downloaded directly from Windows Update. Also, you can download the KB5050009 offline installer if you prefer.
- Open Windows 11 settings using the Windows key + I
- Locate Windows Update then hit the check for updates button, you’ll see the following patch:
2025-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5050009)
- This will start downloading Windows 11 KB5050009 update files from the Microsoft server,
- Once done, click on install now, and when prompted restart your PC to apply the updates.
After installing KB5050009, Windows 11 24H2 updates to build 26100.2894.
- Windows 11 KB5050009 (OS Build 26100.2894) offline installer Direct Download Link.
- Windows 11 KB5050021 (OS Build 22631.4751) offline installer Direct Download Link.
The above link redirects to the Windows update catalogue, it’s a library of updates published by the tech giant in the past several months. You can search the above KB package in the catalogue and click on the ‘download’ button to grab the offline installer.
The offline installer is offered in .msu file format. To get started, simply double-click on the file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once done, you can run winver command to check your device upgraded to Windows 11 Build 26100.2894.
If you are looking to download Windows 11 ISO click here.
If you face any difficulty while installing Windows updates, are stuck checking for hours. Or the Windows 11 KB5050009 update failed to install with different errors check out this post.
