Windows 10 KB5052077 update fixes broken SSH connections

​​Microsoft has released the optional KB5052077 preview cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2 with nine bug fixes and changes, including a fix for a longstanding known issue that breaks SSH connections.

When it first acknowledged the issue in November, the company said it affects a "limited number" of devices running Windows enterprise, IOT, and education editions, with Redmond investigating whether Windows Home or Pro editions are also affected.

"Following the installation of the October 2024 security update, some customers report that the OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell) service fails to start, preventing SSH connections," the company said in support documents issued for October's Patch Tuesday KB5045594 cumulative and KB5045594 preview updates.

Redmond started testing the fix for this known issue on Thursday when it rolled out the Windows 11 Build 26100.3321 (KB5052093) for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel on Windows 11 24H2 (Build 26100).

The KB5052077 cumulative update is an optional non-security preview update released at the end of every month. It allows Windows admins to test upcoming fixes and improvements released with the upcoming March 2025 Patch Tuesday cumulative updates.

However, preview updates, unlike Patch Tuesday cumulative updates, don't include security updates. Windows users can install the KB5052077 update by going into Settings, clicking on Windows Update, and manually performing a 'Check for Updates.'

As this is an optional update, you will be asked if you want to install it by clicking the 'Download and install' link. You can also manually download and install the KB5052077 preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Windows 10 KB5052077 highlights

Once installed, this preview release will update Windows 10 22H2 systems to Build 19045.5555.

The February 2025 non-security optional update comes with additional fixes and improvements, the more significant ones listed below:

• [Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe}] Fixed: Dwm.exe repeatedly stops responding.
• [Country and Operator Settings Asset] This update brings COSA profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
• Fixed: The Chinese IME stops responding when changing the font family or size.
• Fixed: The color contrast ratio of the Chinese IME search suggestion panel is less than you expect.

Microsoft also reported two known issues with KB5052077, including one where some Citrix components may prevent the installation of the January 2025 Windows security update.

"Affected devices might initially download and apply the January 2025 Windows security update correctly, such as via the Windows Update page in Settings," the company explains. "However, when restarting the device to complete the update installation, an error message with text similar to 'Something didn't go as planned. No need to worry – undoing changes' appears. The device will then revert to the Windows updates previously present on the device."

KB5052077 is also affected by a System Guard Runtime Monitor Broker services issue that adds 'Event 7023' errors to the Event Viewer on systems that have installed Windows updates released since January 14, 2025.

Although Windows 10 will reach the end of support in less than seven months, over 60% of all Windows systems worldwide still run Windows 10, while less than 37% run Windows 11, according to Statcounter Global data.

However, Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases like Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 and Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) releases like Windows 10 2016 LTSB, which cater to specialized devices, will still receive updates beyond October 2025.