Want IE mode on Edge to work better? Install KB5025305

It’s that time of the month, as Microsoft released another monthly non-security update for Windows 11 users. Billed as KB5025305, the update brings a lot of new improvements, including a nice touch on the Internet Explorer (IE) mode on Microsoft Edge.

Some users have complained that their pop-up windows open in the background instead of in the foreground when accessing the IE mode on Edge, and this is what the tech giant brought to the table with KB5025305 update.

This also marks the first non-security update since they changed the cycle. As we’ve previously reported, optional monthly updates are coming on the fourth week instead of the usual third.

We have found this to be the optimal time for us to publish and for you to consume these updates. That’s two weeks after your latest monthly security update and about two weeks before you’ll see these features become part of the next mandatory cumulative update.

The IE mode is a mode on Edge that lets you browse older sites, especially those that aren’t supported by modern browsers. As Microsoft cut support for IE in June 2022 to push users to migrate to Edge, the need for IE mode is more important than ever, especially for website developers.

So, what other updates are coming in KB5025305, you may ask? Here’s what Microsoft noted on their official release note.

What other updates are coming in KB5025305?

[Highlights]

• New! This update adds animations to a few icons on the Widgets taskbar button. These animations turn on when:
  • A new announcement appears on the Widgets taskbar button.
  • You hover over or click the Widgets taskbar button.
• New! This update adds a new toggle control on the Settings > Windows Update page. When you turn it on, we will prioritize your device to get the latest non-security updates and enhancements when they are available for your device. For managed devices, the toggle is disabled by default. For more information, see Get Windows updates as soon as they’re available for your device.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge IE mode. Pop-up windows open in the background instead of in the foreground.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Chinese input method. You cannot see all of the first suggested item.

[Improvements]

This non-security update includes quality improvements. When you install this KB:

• New! This update changes firewall settings. You can now configure application group rules.
• This update affects the Islamic Republic of Iran. The update supports the government’s daylight saving time change order from 2022.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) process. It might stop responding. Because of this, the machine restarts. The error is 0xc0000005 (STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION).
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge IE mode. The Tab Window Manager stops responding.
• This update addresses an issue that affects protected content. When you minimize a window that has protected content, the content displays when it should not. This occurs when you are using Taskbar Thumbnail Live Preview.
• This update addresses an issue that affects mobile device management (MDM) customers. The issue stops you from printing. This occurs because of an exception.
• This update changes the app icons for certain mobile providers.
• This update addresses an issue that affects signed Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies. They are not applied to the Secure Kernel. This occurs when you enable Secure Boot.  
• This update addresses an issue that displays Task View in the wrong area. This occurs when you close a full screen game by pressing Win+Tab.
• This update addresses an issue that occurs when you use a PIN to sign in to Windows Hello for Business. Signing in to Remote Desktop Services might fail. The error message is, “The request is not supported”.  
• This update addresses an issue that affects Administrator Account Lockout policies. GPResult and Resultant Set of Policy did not report them.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Unified Write Filter (UWF). When you turn it off by using a call to Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), your device might stop responding.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Resilient File System (ReFS). A stop error occurs that stops the OS from starting up correctly.
• This update addresses an issue that affects MySQL commands. The commands fail on Windows Xenon containers.
• This update addresses an issue that affects SMB Direct. Endpoints might not be available on systems that use multi-byte character sets.
• This update addresses an issue that affects apps that use DirectX on older Intel graphics drivers. You might receive an error from apphelp.dll.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the legacy Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) and the new Windows LAPS feature. They fail to manage the configured local account password. This occurs when you install the legacy LAPS .msi file after you have installed the April 11, 2023, Windows update on machines that have a legacy LAPS policy.  

Have you installed KB5025305? Let us know in the comments!