Microsoft Releases Windows 11 Build 22000.493 (KB5010386) to Fix SSD Performance

Windows 11 KB5010386 is now rolling out to users in the production channel (including the test channel), and is a fairly large cumulative update.

The "Patch Tuesday" update includes all the fixes from the previous optional update, and it also includes security fixes. If you skipped the last optional update released in late January, this will happen.

As described in a previous article, upgrading to Windows 11 can cause problems with SSD drives slowing down read and write read speeds. While the issue was supposedly fixed in the January 2022 cumulative update, some users have been complaining of sluggish drives even after installing the update.

So with the Windows 11 February 2022 update, Microsoft has made a full fix for the performance issue. In the changelog, Microsoft explains that it fixes a performance regression bug that occurs on some configurations when you enable Update Serial Number (USN) logging.

Windows 11 KB5010386 (Build 22000.493) highlights

• Fixed a number of security issues, including an issue that crashed Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) operations.
• Introduced support for the Help feature, which is based on Microsoft Bing technology and is used to recommend help topics related to each Windows settings page.
• Fixed an annoying bug where the operating system displayed an old battery percentage for connected Bluetooth devices.
• An issue with some image editing programs not rendering colors correctly on some HDR displays has been fixed.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue that affected the auto-hide feature of the Windows 11 taskbar.
• As mentioned at the beginning, Microsoft has fixed an issue with USN logging, a feature that records changes to files on a drive. the bug in the USN configuration was apparently related to performance issues with solid state drives, and installing the patch should result in significantly faster write speeds.
• Microsoft says it has also made a change that will result in better response in low-light conditions on all supported devices. This major issue has also been fixed, according to the changelog, which states that HDR displays will not be able to acquire color.
• Another issue that has been fixed is that the operating system's audio service would stop responding on certain configurations. Likewise, Microsoft has patched an issue where application icons would appear on the taskbar when the application was not actually running.
• Windows 11 Build 22000.493 also fixes a bug where the volume icon in the taskbar would show up as muted.

Other fixes in this update

• Fixes an issue that caused rendering in Microsoft Edge Internet Explorer mode.
• Fixed an issue that prevented entering strings in Input Method Editor (IME).
• Fixed an issue that crashed the audio service in Windows 11 and affected hardware-accelerated Bluetooth audio.
• Fixed an issue with Virtual Private Network profiles.
• Fixed an issue with Azure Active Directory (AAD) that affected written applications working.

Settings app improvements

With the February 2022 update, the Settings app for Windows 11 will be further improved and it will include a new way to manage Microsoft subscriptions. Users will be able to manage Office subscriptions or personal Xbox Game Pass subscriptions directly from Settings >> Accounts >> Your Microsoft account.

Windows 11 can now display your subscriptions and payment history. Other features include rewards and things you'll find on the Microsoft Account web page.

In addition, Microsoft is adding a new Help section to all pages of the Settings app. This will allow users to learn more about the features available on Bing.

Known issues of Windows 11 KB5010386 (Build 22000.493)

Microsoft is not currently aware of any critical issues in this release, but you should be aware of a strange bug where recent emails may not appear in the search results of the Outlook desktop application. This bug affects POP, IMAP, Microsoft Exchange, and Microsoft 365 accounts.

If you find the issue after deploying the update, you will be able to uninstall the update and roll your device back to its previous state by following these steps.

Open Settings >> Select Windows Update on the left pane >> Click on Update history on the right >> Find the package and click the Uninstall button.

Microsoft has also updated the Windows 11 Service Stack package to 22000.460, which provides quality improvements to the Service Stack, the component that installs Windows updates. Service Stack Update (SSU) ensures that you have a robust and reliable service stack so that your device can receive and install Microsoft updates.