Windows 11 build 22000.829 enables version upgrades during setup

Microsoft has released a new optional cumulative update for Windows 11 users, bringing the OS to build number 22000.829. This is the same build that rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview channel last week, but now it’s available for anyone who wants to install it. The update is labeled as KB5015882, and you can download it manually here.

The highlight of this update is that it allows Windows 11 to install major version updates for Windows during the out-of-box-experience (OOBE). Basically, when you first set up your computer with your user account, you can be prompted to install a version upgrade if it’s available and your device is eligible. This change comes at just the right time, considering we’re expecting Windows 11 version 22H2 to roll out at some point in the next few months. This way, people who buy a new PC with the original release of Windows 11 will be able to upgrade and get the latest features out of the box.

That’s not all that’s new, though. There’s also a new option to allow Windows 11 to show urgent notifications when focus assist is on. Here’s the breakdown of the highlights in this update:

• New!  Gives you the option to receive urgent notifications when focus assist is on. Focus assist is like a do not disturb mode that hides notifications.
• New! Gives you the option to update to a newer Windows 11 version at the very first startup of Windows if your device is eligible.
• Addresses an issue that causes File Explorer to stop working when you use the play and pause keyboard buttons on certain devices.
• Addresses an issue that causes File Explorer to stop working when you use the Start menu’s context menu (Win+X) and an external monitor is connected to your device.
• Addresses an issue that displays a blank window that you cannot close when you hover over the search icon on the taskbar.

• Addresses an issue that prevents certain troubleshooting tools from opening.

The full list of changes in Windows 11 build 22000.829 is much longer, and as you’d expect, it’s mostly about fixes and minor improvements. Various issues have been resolved, and you can find the full list below.

If you want to get these fixes, you can simply look for updates in Windows Update, then choose to install the KB5015882 cumulative update. Otherwise, you can download it manually with the link we provided at the top.

While this is an optional update, all of these changes will be making their way to everyone next month, when Microsoft rolls out new cumulative updates for Patch Tuesday. Those are mandatory updates, and they can often include additional fixes. Lately, though, Microsoft has mostly published Patch Tuesday updates without much of a changelog, so the bulk of the changes are in this update.