New Update Windows 10 KB5017380 'optional preview' update released with new FIDO2 features

[silversurfer]

What's new in Windows 10 KB5017380​

With this update, Microsoft has introduced a new security feature that allows you to log in to sites in a Remote Desktop session and authenticate using your local FIDO2 hardware security keys or Windows Hello.

In addition, you can now log in to your Windows device over RDP using Azure Active Directory (AD) authentication with local Windows Hello or FIDO 2 security keys.

"Introduces functionality that lets you use Azure Active Directory (AD) authentication to sign in to Windows using Remote Desktop," reads today's update.
"Then, you can use Windows Hello or security devices, such as Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) keys, for remote sign in. It also enables the use of Conditional Access policies."

In addition to the FIDO2 enhancements, the Windows 10 KB5017380 cumulative update preview includes forty other improvements or fixes, with nine changes highlighted by Microsoft listed below:

• New! News and Interests settings can now be found under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > News and interests. Otherwise,right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
• New! All taskbar orientations now support news and interests. A top, left, or right taskbar now has features and settings much like the horizontal taskbar.
• Addresses an issue that requires you to reinstall an app if you did not get the app from the Microsoft Store. This issue occurs after you upgrade to Windows 10 or a newer OS.
• Fixes a rare blue screen of death that occurred after you change the display mode while you are using more than one display.
• Addresses an issue that forces the IE mode tabs in a session to reload.
• Addresses an issue that affects IE mode after you open a PDF file. When you try to open a different page using the same browser window, the page will not open in that browser window.
• Addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft Japanese IME when it is active and the IME mode is on. When you use the numeric keypad to insert a dash (-) character, the IME inserts the wrong one.
• Addresses an issue that affects the rendering of the search box. It does not render properly if you sign in using Tablet mode.
• Addresses a known issue that affects daylight saving time in Chile. This issue might affect the time and dates used for meetings, apps, tasks, services, transactions, and more.

Microsoft warns that after installing this update, some Windows devices may have issues playing audio.

"After installing this update, some Windows devices might have issues with audio not working. Some affected Windows devices might have no audio, but other affected Windows devices might only have issues on certain ports, certain audio devices or only within certain applications," reads the KB5017380 release notes.

"Most affected audio devices drivers have the "audio enhancements" setting disabled before installing this update or the sound device driver has issues with the "audio enhancements" feature."

You can find a complete list of fixes in the KB5017380 support bulletin.

Windows 10 KB5017380 preview update released with new FIDO2 features

Microsoft has released the optional KB5017380 Preview cumulative update for Windows 10 20H2, Windows 10 21H1, and Windows 10 21H2 with new FIDO2 and Windows Hello features.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[show-Zi]

I thought I was the only one who applied this update since no one was talking about it.
Looking forward to 22h2 on the 10.

 

[ForgottenSeer 95367]

What is concerning is that users cannot identify "optional" updates in Windows Update. They think if the update shows up in the Windows Update list as "Download & Install" that it is a general availability (GA) stable release, when in fact, that means that it is optional and not GA. Microsoft is the cause of this ignorance and confusion due to its absurdly confused terminology, unclear WIndows Update GUI wording & layout, and the silly development pipeline\channels that are revamped and renamed every other year.

 

[show-Zi]

Regarding the distribution of update programs, I cannot deny the impression that it has been worse since version 10. Including information for security patches and insider previews, it's a real mess.
On top of that, with OS 10 and 11 running side by side, there's no reason not to get confused.