Download Windows 10 KB5029331 Preview Update [August 2023]

It is the 4th Tuesday of the month, and this means that it is time for Microsoft to release the Type D optional non-security update for its supported Windows operating systems. Microsoft has published KB5029331 for Windows 10 22H2. This is an optional update, which means it will only install if you allow it manually.

If you opt not to install this update, most of the fixes and improvements included in this update will be applied automatically when the next month’s Patch Tuesday updates are installed. However, if you do install it, your operating system’s build will be upgraded to 19045.3393.

KB5029331 introduces minor features and improvements to the Windows 10 operating system. The highlights of this update are that it improves Windows functionality of detecting your precise location when Location Services is enabled, and it expands the rollout of notification badging for Microsoft accounts on the Start menu.

You can choose to install this update on your Windows 10 PC today using the direct download link below, or through Windows Update, or wait for September’s Patch Tuesday release when the update will install automatically.

KB5029331 Release Summary

• KB Article: KB5029331
• OS Version: Windows 10 version 22H2
• Build: 19045.3393
• Size: 765.9 MB (64-Bit)
• Release Date: 22nd August 2023

Fixes and Improvements in KB5029331

The following list of fixes and improvements have been implemented with this release:

• This update improves how Windows detects your location. This helps to give you better weather, news, and traffic information.
• This update expands the rollout of notification badging for Microsoft accounts on the Start menu. A Microsoft account is what connects Windows to your Microsoft apps. The account backs up all your data and helps you to manage your subscriptions.
• This update adds the Windows Backup app to your device.
• This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in Israel.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the display of the search box.
• This update addresses an issue that affects settings. They do not sync even if you turn on the toggle on the Windows backup page in the Settings app.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Group Policy Service. It will not wait for 30 seconds, which is the default wait time, for the network to be available. Because of this, policies are not correctly processed.
• This update adds a new API for D3D12 Independent Devices. You can use it to create multiple D3D12 devices on the same adapter.
• This update addresses an issue that affects an app that simulates keyboard input. That app might not send Japanese characters to other apps.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a WS_EX_LAYERED window. The window might render with the wrong dimensions or at the wrong position. This occurs when you scale the display screen.
• This update addresses an issue that affects print jobs that are sent to a virtual print queue. They fail without an error.
• This update addresses an issue that affects disk partitions. The system might stop working. This occurs after you delete a disk partition and add the space from the deleted partition to an existing BitLocker partition.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Remote Desktop (RD) sessions. They disconnect when multiple apps are in use.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP). The Windows LAPS “BackupDirectory” policy setting was not reported. This occurs when the setting is set to 1, which is “Back up to AAD.”
• This update addresses a known issue that affects ClickOnce. Apps that you used ClickOnce to deploy might begin to prompt for installation. This occurs even when the ClickOnce apps are already installed and marked as “trusted”.
• The update addresses an issue that affects those who use Windows Update for Business. After you are asked to change your password at sign-in, the change operation fails. Then you cannot sign in. The error code is 0xc000006d.

With these fixes and improvements to Windows 10, there are still also some known issues with this update.

Known issues in KB5029331

An issue with the standalone (clean) installation of Windows 10 with this update is causing Microsoft Edge Legacy to be removed. However, it is not being replaced by the new Chromium-based Edge.

This occurs only when Windows has a custom offline media or an ISO image installed that does not include the 29th March 2021 SSU update. Microsoft suggests that you either install the March SSU update through slipstreaming or simply update an existing OS through Windows Update, so you will not be facing this issue.

Alternatively, you can simply download and install the new Microsoft Edge if you have already encountered this problem.

Download and install Windows 10 KB5029331

This optional non-security update can be installed through Windows Update and standalone installers.

We have given the direct download links to the standalone installers below, using which you can install the update on your Windows 10 version 22H2 PC, or you can simply update to the latest build using Windows Update through the given guide below.

Offline Installers

Download KB5029331 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 10 Version 22H2 64-Bit [765.9 MB]

Download KB5029331 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 10 Version 22H2 32-Bit [421.6 MB]

To install the update, simply run the downloaded MSU file and Windows will automatically install the update. To download any other updates related to any of the above, please check the Microsoft Catalog.

Windows Update

To install this update via Windows Update, you need to be running Windows 10 version 22H2. To check your version of the operating system, type in “winver” in the Run Command box and press Enter.

Once ensured you have the right OS version, perform the following steps to install KB5029331:

1. Navigate to the following:

   Settings app >> Update and Security >> Windows Update

2. Here, click “Check for updates.”

   

3. Click “Download and install” under the available optional update.

   

   You will see the following update available under Optional quality update available:

   2023-08 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64/x86-based Systems (KB5029331)

4. Once the update is downloaded and installed, click “Restart Now.”

Once the computer reboots, the update will be successfully installed. To confirm this, check the updated build number by typing in “winver” in the Run Command box.

Rollback/Remove Windows 10 Cumulative Update

If you do not wish to keep the installed update for some reason, you can always roll back to the previous build of the OS. However, this can only be performed within the next 10 days after installing the new update.

To roll back after 10 days, you will need to apply this trick.

Cleanup After Installing Windows Updates

If you want to save space after installing Windows updates, you can run the following commands one after the other in Command Prompt with administrative privileges:

dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Block KB5029331 from installing

Although this is an optional update, which means that it won’t install without you manually pressing any buttons. However, you can completely block it from installing, both temporarily or permanently, using these steps:

1. Download the “Show or hide updates” tool from Microsoft.

2. Run the utility and click Next to start the scanning process.

   

3. Next, click the “Hide updates” button.

   

4. Select the updates you want to block and click Next.

   

   This automatically hides the update from Windows Update and it will not be installed during the next update process.

5. Press the Close button.

If you want to unhide or show hidden updates, run the tool again and select “Show hidden updates” instead of “Hide updates.” The rest of the process is the same.

Final Analysis

Optional preview updates are published so they can be tested by the end users. Upon feedback, Microsoft may or may not make changes to the update before releasing it for every Windows 10 22H2 user in next month’s Patch Tuesday update.

After having tested KB5029331, we believe that it is safe for installation. However, if your Windows device is critical, or part of a production environment, it is always safer to install the matured Windows update.

Windows 10 optional non-security update history

KB Article	OS Versions	Build	Release Date	Significant Changes	Announcement
KB5031445	22H2	19045.3636	26-Oct-23	Fixes Outlook non-responsiveness, fixes WDAC, robocopy issues	Microsoft Announcement of KB5031445
KB5030300	22H2	19045.3516	26-Sep-23	– Improved search box experience – Animations to icons in news and interests	Microsoft Announcement of KB5030300
KB5029331	22H2	19045.3393	22-Aug-23	– Improvements to location detection – Expands rollout of notification badging for Microsoft accounts	Microsoft Announcement of KB5029331
KB5028244	22H2	19045.3271	25-Jul-23	-Fixes TDR error during gameplay – Audio and video device fixes – Fix for VPN client connectivity issue	Microsoft Announcement of KB5028244
KB5027293	22H2	19045.3155	27-Jun-23	– New features and improvements to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint – Several other fixes	Microsoft Announcement of KB5027293
KB5026435	22H2	19045.3031	23-May-23	– Fixes issue with speech recognition, improves the search experience and shows up to 3 high-priority toast notifications. – Introduces a new issue with 32-bit apps; intermittent copying, attaching, and moving problems.	Microsoft Announcement of KB5026435
KB5025297	22H2	19045.2913	25-Apr-23	Sync language and region settings to Microsoft account, a plethora of other fixes	Microsoft Announcement of KB5025297
KB5023773	22H2, 21H2, 20H2	1904X.2788	21-Mar-22	Fixes issues with USB printers	Microsoft Announcement of KB5023773