Exploring Windows Update KB5055523: A Deep Dive into the April 2025 Patch for Windows 11

Welcome to another tech update! Today, we're diving into the details of Windows Update KB5055523, released on April 8, 2025, as part of Microsoft's Patch Tuesday for Windows 11, version 24H2. This mandatory security update brings the operating system to Build 26100.3775, delivering a mix of critical security fixes, quality improvements, and some exciting new features-particularly for Copilot+ PC users. Whether you're a casual user or an IT enthusiast, let's break down what this update offers, how it impacts your system, and what you need to know.

What is KB5055523?

KB5055523 is a cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2, designed to address security vulnerabilities and enhance system stability. Released on April 8, 2025, it's part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to keeping Windows secure and up-to-date. This update includes all the improvements from the optional KB5053656 update (released March 27, 2025) and introduces additional fixes and features. As a mandatory security patch, it will automatically download and install via Windows Update, though you can also grab it manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog if you prefer.

The update tackles a range of issues, from security flaws to user experience bugs, while sprinkling in some innovative enhancements-especially for those with Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon, AMD, or Intel chips. Let's explore the highlights.

Key Features and Improvements

AI-Powered Windows Search for Copilot+ PCsIf you're rocking a Copilot+ PC (equipped with a Neural Processing Unit delivering over 40 TOPS), this update supercharges your Windows Search experience. Enhanced with semantic indexing models alongside traditional lexical indexing, finding documents, photos, and settings is now smarter and faster. You don't need to remember exact file names or phrases-just type what you're thinking, and the system figures it out. Bonus: it works offline, making it a game-changer for productivity on the go.
Live Captions and Real-Time TranslationCommunication gets a boost, especially on Copilot+ devices. AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs now support live captions that translate over 44 languages into English in real time-perfect for video calls, recordings, or streamed content. Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs go a step further, adding real-time translation to Chinese (Simplified). Supported languages include everything from Arabic to Swedish, broadening accessibility and usability.
Gamepad Keyboard LayoutGamers rejoice! KB5055523 introduces a new touch keyboard layout optimized for gamepads. Featuring button accelerators-like using the X button for backspace or the Y button for spacebar-this makes typing with a controller more intuitive and efficient. It's a small but thoughtful addition for those who prefer gaming peripherals over traditional keyboards.
Lock Screen Widgets in the EEAFor users in the European Economic Area (EEA), the lock screen now supports customizable widgets (previously dubbed "Weather and more"). You can add, remove, or rearrange widgets like Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic via Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. It's a handy way to glance at key info without unlocking your device.
Task Manager CPU Usage FixEver noticed inconsistent CPU usage stats across Task Manager pages? This update standardizes the calculation across the Processes, Performance, and Users tabs, aligning it with industry norms. No more head-scratching over mismatched numbers-it's now consistent and reliable.
File Explorer Menu Bug SquashedA pesky File Explorer bug, where the three-dot (...) menu opened in the wrong direction (sometimes off-screen), has finally been fixed. This issue plagued users since the 24H2 rollout in October 2024, but KB5055523 restores order, ensuring the menu behaves as expected.
Security EnhancementsAs a Patch Tuesday update, KB5055523 patches numerous security vulnerabilities, including one actively exploited zero-day flaw: CVE-2025-29824 (Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability). This allowed local attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges, making it a critical fix. Overall, the update addresses 134 flaws, with 11 classified as Critical Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities.

Notable Fixes

Kerberos Authentication: Resolved an issue where authentication stalled when using RC4 encryption in certain scenarios.
ctfmon.exe Reliability: Improved stability by fixing crashes tied to system restarts or copying data from specific apps.
BSOD on Wake: Fixed a Blue Screen of Death trigger when exiting sleep mode on 24H2 devices.
Windows Hello: Addressed a rare issue post-reset where facial recognition or PIN login failed on devices with specific security features enabled (workaround: re-enroll via Settings).

Known Issues

While Microsoft reports no major new bugs with KB5055523, a few lingering issues persist:

Citrix SRA Incompatibility: Devices with Citrix Session Recording Agent (SRA) version 2411 may fail to install updates, reverting changes on reboot. A workaround exists via Citrix's documentation.
Roblox on ARM: ARM device users might still struggle to download Roblox from the Microsoft Store (workaround: get it from Roblox.com).
Unexpected Inetpub Folder: Post-update, an empty "C:\inetpub" folder may appear, even without IIS installed. It's harmless and can be deleted.

How to Install KB5055523

Since it's a mandatory update, KB5055523 will roll out automatically via Windows Update. To check manually:

Open Settings > Windows Update.
Click Check for Updates.
Download and install when prompted, then restart your PC.

For offline installation, head to the Microsoft Update Catalog, where you'll find direct download links for 64-bit (x64) and ARM64 versions. Note: the ARM version is a hefty 3GB due to bundled AI models, while the x64 version is around 1.3GB.

Final Thoughts

Windows Update KB5055523 is a solid step forward for Windows 11 24H2, blending essential security patches with user-focused enhancements. The AI-driven search and translation features steal the show for Copilot+ users, while everyday fixes like the File Explorer menu resolution bring relief to all. Sure, the update size is ballooning (thanks, AI models!), but the benefits-especially for security and usability-make it worthwhile.