Microsoft Releases New Optional Windows 11 Update to Fix Taskbar, Audio, and Display Issues

Microsoft has released new optional updates for Windows 11 and Windows 10 version 20H2 and newer. The latest Windows 11 optional update (KB5008353) includes several fixes for issues affecting audio devices, multi-monitor setups, auto-brightness as well as app icons in the taskbar.

This Windows 11 KB5008353 patch addresses a known issue preventing some image editing tools from rendering colors correctly on select HDR displays. Microsoft has also fixed L2TP VPN connection and domain controller reboot problems caused by the January Patch Tuesday updates. Here are all the bug fixes and improvements Microsoft highlighted in the release notes for the Windows 11 KB5008353 update:

• Updates an issue that causes the audio service to stop responding on some devices that support hardware-accelerated Bluetooth audio.
• Updates an issue that affects icons for apps when the apps are not running. On the taskbar, these icons might display as active as if the apps are running.
• Adds a new Your Microsoft Account page to the Accounts category in Windows Settings for Home and Professional editions.
• Updates an issue that incorrectly shows the volume icon in the taskbar as muted.
• Updates an issue that causes a device to stop working when it’s connected to multiple displays.
• Updates an issue that affects the auto-hide feature of the taskbar. The taskbar might not reliably appear when you hover over the primary or secondary display.
• Updates an issue that might prevent icons from appearing on the taskbar of a secondary display.
• Improves auto brightness to provide a better response under low light conditions on all the supported systems.
• Updates daylight savings time to start in February 2022 instead of March 2022 in Jordan.
• Adds the HelpWith feature, which uses Microsoft Bing technologies to suggest Help topics that are relevant for each Settings page.
• Updates an issue that displays outdated battery percentages for connected Bluetooth devices on the Bluetooth and other devices page in Settings.
• Updates a known issue that might prevent some image editing programs from rendering colors correctly on certain high dynamic range (HDR) displays. This frequently affects white colors that might display in bright yellow or other colors.

It is important to note that Microsoft has confirmed a known issue in the Windows 11 KB5008353 patch that may prevent the Outlook desktop app from showing recent emails. The company recommends users to resolve the problem by disabling Windows Desktop search.

New optional patches are available for Windows 10 version 20H2 and newer

If you’re running the Windows 10 version 20H2, 21H1, or 21H2, the optional KB5009596 patch is available to download from Windows Update, with a bunch of fixes for issues affecting printing, daylight savings time, Bluetooth devices, and more. You can find the full list of bug fixes for the KB5009596 update on this support page.

As usual, Windows 11 and 10 users who prefer to skip these optional updates will still receive all these fixes and improvements with the February Patch Tuesday update. As a reminder, Windows 10 version 2004, which was released back in May 2020, has already reached end of support on December 14, 2021. To continue receiving new security and quality updates, Windows 10 users should upgrade to the latest version of the OS as soon as possible.