KB5077242

Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5077242 for Windows 11 version 25H2 for participants in the Beta Channel preview program – Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26220.7934). This update brings several important changes, including improved security and performance for batch files, a new shared audio listening feature, improvements for screen reader, taskbar, storage, input, and an updated Paint app.

• Improved security and performance for batch files The build adds additional controls for processing batch files (.bat) and CMD scripts. Administrators can enable a more secure mode where the file is locked during execution, preventing modification and reducing the risk of substitution or malicious code injection. Performance has also been improved when code integrity checking is enabled: digital signature verification is now performed once for the entire file rather than for each individual instruction, speeding up execution of large scripts.
• Shared Audio Listening Introduced last fall, this feature allows two users to listen to audio simultaneously through compatible Bluetooth LE Audio devices. This build adds individual volume sliders for each listener, allowing independent volume adjustment. A shared listening indicator appears on the taskbar; clicking it quickly opens settings, adjusts volume, or stops playback. The list of supported devices has expanded: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Xbox Wireless Headset have been added.
• Screen Reader improvements Screen reader users can now use the keyboard shortcut "Narrator + \" to read the status bar contents in applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For example, in Word you can find out the number of pages or words in a document, and in Excel you can select multiple cells and hear the sum or average of the selected data without changing current focus.
• Taskbar changes The release of improved animations when using auto-hide taskbar mode has been temporarily paused. At the same time, the reliability of loading taskbar components in Safe Mode has been improved. Microsoft thanks preview program participants for their feedback.
• Storage improvements Reliability of deleting Windows update files and the windows.old folder via Settings > System > Storage has been improved.
• Input improvements Text input reliability when using the ADLaM keyboard has been improved.
• Paint app update Paint version 11.2601.391.0 adds the long-awaited Freeform rotate feature. You can now rotate shapes, text, and any active selections to any desired angle. Select an object and use the rotation handle above it, or choose "Freeform rotate" from the Rotate menu and specify the exact angle value. This allows more precise placement adjustment and makes the workflow more flexible when creating illustrations and editing graphics.

The update is installed via Windows Update: go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A computer restart is required to complete the installation.

How the new features work:

Improved security and performance for batch files: When executing .bat or .cmd in the new secure mode, the system locks the file during execution, preventing modification or substitution. Digital signature verification is performed once for the entire file rather than per instruction, speeding up large scripts.

Shared Audio Listening: Allows two users to listen simultaneously via compatible Bluetooth LE Audio devices. This build adds individual volume sliders for each listener. A taskbar indicator appears; clicking it opens settings, adjusts volume, or stops playback. Supports Galaxy Buds 4, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Xbox Wireless Headset.

Screen Reader improvements: Narrator now uses Narrator + to read status bar contents in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. In Excel, select cells to hear sum or average without changing focus. In Word, read page or word count.

Taskbar changes: Improved auto-hide taskbar animations are temporarily paused. However, reliability of loading taskbar components in Safe Mode has been improved. Microsoft thanks preview participants for their feedback.

Storage improvements: Reliability of deleting Windows update files and the windows.old folder via Settings > System > Storage has been improved. Deletion operations are less prone to file-locking errors.

Input improvements: Text input reliability when using the ADLaM keyboard has been improved. Rare freezes and duplicate characters during fast typing in some applications have been fixed.

Paint app update: Paint version 11.2601.391.0 adds Freeform rotate. Rotate shapes, text, and selections to any angle via the rotation handle or specify exact angle in the Rotate menu.

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