Microsoft offers an optional Windows 11 update. In addition to bug corrections and some small new products, this KB5053656 version especially improves research on PC, now much more efficient.
Microsoft has just offered a new optional update for Windows 11. Available since March 27, it has been designated under the number KB5053656, and brings some promising new products, including improvements in research. If this update remains optional for the moment, it foreshadows what we will find in the next Patch Tuesday which should arrive on Tuesday April 8.
As Microsoft explains in its version notesone of the main novelties of this update concerns so -called “semantic” research. Thanks to this technology, Windows research becomes smarter, capable of understanding requests in natural language. This means that instead of remembering the exact name of a file or a parameter, it is now possible to type simple sentences like “change the wallpaper” or “find my vacation photos” to display the right results in the settings, in the explorer or in the Windows search bar. Based on the local AI, thanks to the NPU (the calculation unit integrated into recent processors), this search applies to both local files and those stored in the cloud via OneDrive, and even works offline on certain PCs stamped Copilot+ equipped with a Snapdragon processor.
Windows 11 KB5053656: Small improvements welcome
But improved research does not stop there. Users can also benefit from real-time indexing of files stored in OneDrive, including those whose content corresponds to keywords. This function is ideal for those who manage a large number of documents or images, thus facilitating navigation in often overloaded folders. In addition, this research can even detect words present in the documents, without these being explicitly named in the file.
Another major aspect of this update concerns live subtitles. This function, already present in the previous versions of Windows, was enriched with the ability to translate more than 44 languages to English. It is particularly useful for video calls or viewing multilingual content, allowing a fluid understanding without having to use third -party translation tools. The addition of this function represents a real plus for users evolving in multicultural environments or working with foreign interlocutors.
The KB5053656 update also introduces greater flexibility for voice commands. We can thus formulate instructions more naturally, without having to comply with rigid syntaxes. For example, it is possible to ask Windows to open an application using different turns of sentences, which fluidifies interaction for those who prefer to speak rather than click. This improvement, although apparently minor, strengthens the comfort of daily use.
In terms of interface, small new products have also been introduced. The touch keyboard can now adopt a “gamepad” type provision, with keys aligned vertically to facilitate navigation with a controller, a well thought out function for players. In addition, a new icon of quick access to the Emoji panel has been added, making it possible to better integrate these small symbols into daily communication.
Microsoft was not content to add new products, the update also brought its share of fixes. Several bugs have been resolved, including problems linked to the screen orientation after the watch outing on hybrid devices, or the mismanagement of certain color profiles. Even the task manager has been optimized to provide better reading of the use of the processor, aligning its calculations on the sector standards.
Finally, special attention was paid to accessibility and comfort of use within the European Union. Web search from the taskbar now respects the default browser configured by the user, thus avoiding the systematic opening of Microsoft Edge. Small functions, such as “suggested actions”, have been removed, allowing Microsoft to focus their efforts on more relevant functions.
As always, this optional preversion is only available to those who checked the corresponding option in Windows Update. And as it is likely to contain bugs and generate unknown problems, we advise you to install it only in perfect knowledge of the facts, and only if you are curious to discover its novelties. In all other cases, and in particular on a “production” PC, it is strongly recommended to wisely wait for the compulsory update which will automatically arrive with the Tuesday patch of April.