Windows 11 KB5011563 update fixes SMB, DirectX blue screens

Microsoft has released the optional KB5011563 cumulative update preview for Windows 11, with fixes for stop errors triggering blue screens of death (BSOD) and other issues.

This preview update is part of Microsoft's scheduled March 2022 monthly "C" updates, allowing Windows 11 users to test the upcoming fixes released on April 12th as part of next month's Patch Tuesday.

Unlike regular Patch Tuesday Windows updates, the scheduled "C" non-security preview releases are optional. They're only used to test bug fixes and performance improvements ahead of the general release, so they do not provide security updates.

To install the KB5011563 update, you have to go to Settings > Windows Update and manually 'Check for updates.' Since it's an optional update, Windows will not install it until you click the 'Download now' button.

You can also manually download and install this month's Windows 11 cumulative update preview from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Blue screen fixes and more

As mentioned in the beginning, today's Windows 11 optional update highlights are fixes for two BSODs triggered by stop errors in DirectX and the SMB Server.

As Microsoft explained, KB5011563 "addresses a stop error (0xD1, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL) in the DirectX kernel component" and another issue "that causes stop error 0x1E in the SMB Server (srv2.sys)."

The update also adds support for displaying up to three high-priority toast notifications simultaneously, a feature specifically designed for apps that send notifications for calls, reminders, or alarms using Windows notifications.

It also fixes an issue that could cause Microsoft OneDrive files to lose focus after being renamed and pressing the Enter key.

After deploying KB5011563, Windows 11 will return the corresponding Settings page when searching for the word "widgets."

What's new in the Windows 11 KB5011563 update

After installing today's non-security cumulative update preview, Windows 11 will have its build number changed to 22000.593.

The Windows 11 KB5011563 cumulative update preview includes 26 quality improvements and fixes, including:

• Addresses an issue that causes SystemSettings.exe to stop working.

• Addresses an issue that increases the startup time for Windows. This issue occurs because a UI thread in a networking API stops responding when a 5G wireless wide area network (WWAN) device is slow to wake up.

• Addresses an issue that might cause Kerberos.dll to stop working within the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). This occurs when LSASS processes simultaneous Service for User (S4U) user-to-user (U2U) requests for the same client user.