Recently, Microsoft pushed Windows 11 KB5009566 for all users as part of the Microsoft Patch Tuesday program. Along with the push of the new patch, Microsoft has also released an offline installer and direct download link for Windows 11 KB5009566, which allows anyone to manually patch their system by installing the msu package.
What’s new in Windows 11 KB5009566
The main content of this Patch Tuesday is related to security fixes and system improvements. The optional update for December 2021 was skipped due to Microsoft's previous Christmas and New Year break. If you are still using the November 2021 patch, you will also get the December 2021 fix after installing this January 2022 Tuesday patch.
This Windows 11 update will introduce new symbolic emojis, according to the devs, the new emojis use Fluent Design design and thus look modern, these emojis will also only appear in Windows 11, Windows 10 and previous systems will not introduce these emojis.
It should be noted that these emojis are arriving as the last major update in Windows 11 testing and Microsoft has been testing the new emoji design for some time. In addition to the design updates, Microsoft is introducing the classic paperclip emoji for Windows 11, a signature element among Microsoft's previous Office suite.
In terms of security fixes, Windows 11 KB5009566 fixes a number of issues, but the official changelog is rather vague, and when checking for updates, you'll only see prompts such as "Update Security". At the same time, Microsoft also says that there are no known issues with the new patch.
In addition to the cumulative update, Microsoft has brought new content to Windows 11 elsewhere, such as a new media player to replace Groove Music. The new media player looks like an integration of Groove Music and TV and movie apps, and it seems to be positioned as a successor to Groove Music rather than a successor to Windows Media Player.
*Windows 11 KB5009566 can be downloaded here.
Windows 11 Media Player
The new Media Player was first unveiled in late 2021 when it was accidentally first revealed during a live broadcast. Media Player is now out of beta and available for Windows 11 Build 22000+.
The new Media Player can be installed through the Microsoft App Store, and it will take the place of Groove Music. Unlike Groove, the media player uses a managed black and white + orange color scheme, a combination known as "Zest", and Microsoft is allowing users to switch to the system theme color accents in future releases.
The new media player is compatible with Groove Music's database and also supports HDR, however, it will not focus on professional video playback and will not take the place of professional players such as VLC.