Microsoft has released Windows 11 build 22635.4870 (KB5050087) to the Beta Channel, introducing visual improvements to the Lock Screen and File Explorer.
This update, part of the 23H2 development cycle, modifies Lock Screen settings to better organize widgets. File Explorer now displays user icons under the “Activity” column on the Home page.
The update also includes fixes for the Start menu, File Explorer, USB devices, and other areas.
Windows 11 build 22635.4870 (Beta)
The most notable changes in build 22635.4870 are:
- Lock Screen customizable widgets
- File Explorer with user icons
- Various fixes and improvements
Lock Screen Widget Customization
Update KB5050087 revamps the “Lock Screen” settings page by replacing the “Lock screen status” setting with a new “Your widgets” setting.
Enabling Lock Screen Widgets with ViVeTool
The new lock screen widgets feature is rolling out gradually. You can enable it manually using the ViVeTool and running the following command:
vivetool /enable /id:50179255,53672489
Managing Lock Screen Widgets via Settings
Step 1: Open Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to Personalization > Lock screen.
Step 3: Locate the “Your widgets” setting.
Step 4: Toggle the “Your widgets” setting to the “On” position to enable widgets on the lock screen, or to the “Off” position to disable them.
Step 5: Click on the “Your widgets” setting to customize the widgets.
Step 6: Add, re-arrange, and remove widgets as desired.
Group Policy for Widget Control
For administrators, Microsoft has introduced a new “Disable Widgets On Lock Screen” policy in the Group Policy Editor. This policy can be found under Computer Configurations > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets.
This allows administrators to centrally manage the availability of widgets on the lock screen.
File Explorer User Icons
File Explorer has been updated to display user icons under the “Activity” column and “Recommended” tab on the Home page.
Step 1: Open File Explorer.
Step 2: Navigate to the Home page.
Step 3: Look for the “Activity” column or the “Recommended” section.
Step 4: Observe the user icons displayed next to files or activities.
Clicking or hovering over the icon displays the Live Persona Card from Microsoft 365. This feature is available for users with work or school accounts.
Additional Fixes and Improvements
Build 22635.4870 includes numerous bug fixes and improvements:
- Fixes an issue where the Start menu crashed when interacting with letters in the apps list.
- Corrects incorrect colors in the account manager flyout when using a mixed dark and light custom mode on the “Colors” settings page.
- Resolves an issue where a minimized File Explorer window might not render correctly when restored.
- Improves File Explorer reliability by addressing frequent crashes.
- Fixes “explorer.exe” crashes.
- Addresses the “sihost.exe” background crash.
- Resolves USB camera detection issues.
- Fixes Code 10 error (“This device cannot start”) when connecting to certain external audio management USB devices.
Windows Insider Program Enrollment
Step 1: Open Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Insider Program.
Step 3: Click “Get started” and follow the on-screen instructions to link your Microsoft account.
Step 4: Select the Beta Channel as your desired Insider level.
Step 5: Accept the terms and restart your computer.
Step 6: After restarting, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for Updates”.
You won’t receive these changes if you have already updated to Windows 11 build 26120.3073.
This update offers welcome customization options and addresses several known issues.