Microsoft has released the final non-security preview update for Windows 10, version 22H2, which includes fixes for the out-of-box experience and SMBv1 protocol connectivity.
This is an optional cumulative update that delivers updates at the end of each month, allowing Windows administrators to test improvements and bug fixes that will roll out to all users during the next month’s Patch Tuesday release.
KB5066198 addresses a known issue privately acknowledged by Microsoft last week that impacts those connecting to SMBv1 shares over the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) networking protocol after installing the September 2025 KB5065429 security update.
It also resolves an issue when using Windows Autopilot to deploy Windows 10 22H2 to devices where Enrollment Status Page (ESP) is enabled, if the ESP doesn’t load during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).
To install today’s preview update, go to ‘Windows Update’ and click ‘Check for Updates.’ Because this is an optional update, you will also be asked to confirm if you want to install it by clicking a ‘Download and install’ link. Windows 10 users can also install KB5066198 manually after downloading it from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Once installed, the September 2025 non-security update improves the servicing stack, the component responsible for installing Windows updates, and will update Windows 10 22H2 systems to build 19045.6396.
This optional update also includes the following fixes and quality improvements that shipped with the KB5065429 cumulative update during this month’s Patch Tuesday:
- [File Server] New! As part of the Windows updates released since September 9, this update enables support for IT administrators to deploy hardening measures for SMB.
- [App compatibility (known issue)] Fixed: Addresses an issue that caused non-admin users to receive unexpected User Account Control (UAC) prompts when MSI installers perform configuration or repair operations during the initial installation of an application.
- [WinSock] Fixed: This known issue occurred after installing the August 2025 Windows security update (KB5063709). You might experience delays or uneven audio and video performance issues when using Network Device Interface (NDI) to stream or transfer feeds between PCs.
Microsoft will stop providing security updates to address newly discovered vulnerabilities after Windows 10 reaches the end of support on October 14, leaving unpatched systems vulnerable to attacks and malware if they don’t upgrade to Windows 11 or migrate to Windows 11 in the cloud with Windows 365.
Users can also delay the Windows 11 switch by enrolling in the ESU program, which costs $61 per device for one year for enterprise customers and $30 for home users. The program is available for free to home users who use Microsoft Rewards points to enroll or are willing to enable Windows Backup to sync their data to the cloud.
However, following pressure from the consumer protection organization Euroconsumers, Microsoft revealed this week that it will also allow individual customers in the European Economic Area (EEA) to enroll in the ESU program for free if they log in to Windows and enroll using a Microsoft account.
According to Statcounter Global Stats, nearly a year after its release, Windows 11 has surpassed the number of installations of Windows 10. Currently, over 49% of all Windows systems are running Windows 11, while just over 45% are using Windows 10.
46% of environments had passwords cracked, nearly doubling from 25% last year.
Get the Picus Blue Report 2025 now for a comprehensive look at more findings on prevention, detection, and data exfiltration trends.
