Microsoft has rolled out its latest update for Windows 11, bringing with it a host of enhancements and critical fixes. The August cumulative update, identified as KB5041585, addresses a significant BitLocker issue that emerged from the previous month’s update. This glitch, which unexpectedly prompted the BitLocker recovery page upon reboot, understandably caused concern among users, particularly in business environments where data security is paramount. The recovery prompt required users to enter their recovery details, an inconvenience that many would prefer to avoid.
While the BitLocker bug primarily impacted business users, it’s worth noting that BitLocker is also available to consumers utilizing Windows 11 Pro. As such, those users who hesitated to install the July update due to this issue can now proceed with confidence, knowing the fix has been implemented. Windows 11 Home users, on the other hand, were not affected, as this version does not include BitLocker.
Useful tweaks and fixes in the August update
In addition to resolving the BitLocker issue, the August update introduces several user-friendly enhancements to the Windows 11 interface. Notably, File Explorer now allows users to duplicate tabs with ease; a simple right-click on a tab reveals the ‘Duplicate tab’ option. This feature is expected to streamline workflow for users who frequently manage multiple files.
Moreover, the performance of File Explorer has seen notable improvements. Users will benefit from fixes addressing search functionality failures and a memory leak bug that previously hindered the opening of archive files, such as ZIPs. The update also resolves various other bugs affecting File Explorer, including issues with Gallery search and image display.
As is customary with these updates, a range of security fixes has been included to bolster system protection. The August update should automatically be delivered to Windows 11 PCs, but for those who wish to ensure they have the latest version, a manual check can be performed. Simply navigate to the Start menu, select Settings, and then Windows Update.