KB5044380 introduces a new Gamepad keyboard layout for Windows 11

Windows 11 Build 22631.4387 (KB5044380) is now available to members of the Release Preview Channel. This release introduces several new features and enhancements into gradual and regular groups.

One of the most notable new features is the ability to access content on your smartphone directly from the Start menu on your PC. Initially, only Android users connected using the Phone Link feature will be able to take advantage of this, with iOS support coming later.

Another new feature is a revised Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard. With this update, you can use an Xbox controller to move around the screen and type, and there are new button accelerators, including the X button for backspace and the Y button for the spacebar. In addition, the “All apps” list in the Start menu has been renamed to just “All.”

Similar to the Release Preview Channel, on the notifications front, you can now prevent app notifications from suggesting that you turn off notifications. If you receive a notification that includes a suggestion to turn off notifications from the app, you can select the ellipses in the notification to turn the suggestion off. You can also go to Settings > System > Notifications and turn off notification suggestions for individual apps.

Microsoft has changed the name of the Tailored Experiences setting to Personalized Offers in the out-of-box experience (OOBE) and moved it to the Privacy & Security page in Settings. This setting allows you to opt out of experiences tailored to your device.

KB5044380 also includes a new Copilot key configuration setting beginning to roll out on new devices with the dedicated Copilot key. The key opens the Copilot app by default, but with this update, you can configure it to open Microsoft 365, another app, or Search instead.

This release fixes a number of key issues. For example, Microsoft says it’s resolved a problem that caused some devices to use more battery power than expected while in Modern Standby.

Other fixes address issues with Teams meetings on Windows 11, system stability, printing over USB, and more.

KB5044380 should now be available for devices in the Release Preview Channel. The full changelog is here.