Microsoft Unveils KB5041585 Update for Windows 11 23H2
Microsoft has rolled out the KB5041585 cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2, introducing a suite of enhancements and features designed to improve user experience. This update, part of the August 2024 Patch Tuesday, is essential for users as it addresses various security vulnerabilities.
To install the latest update, navigate to Start > Settings > Windows Update and select ‘Check for Updates’. Alternatively, users can manually download the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog. For those who prefer a hands-off approach, Windows will automatically download and install the update during idle periods.
In addition, Microsoft has issued a reminder that Windows 11 22H2 will reach its end of service on October 8, 2024. Users are encouraged to upgrade to 23H2 to continue receiving crucial security updates.
What’s New in the Windows 11 KB5041585 Update
Upon installation, the Windows 11 22H2 build number will change to 22621.4037, while the 23H2 version will be updated to 22631.4037. This update brings several notable improvements, including a new feature that allows users to duplicate tabs in File Explorer with a simple right-click. Below is a summary of the key changes:
- BitLocker (known issue): A BitLocker recovery screen may appear on startup after installing the July 9, 2024 update, particularly if device encryption is enabled. Users can unlock their drives by entering the recovery key from their Microsoft account via Settings > Privacy & Security > Device encryption.
- Lock screen: This update resolves CVE-2024-38143, which affected the availability of the “Use my Windows user account” checkbox for Wi-Fi connections on the lock screen.
- NetJoinLegacyAccountReuse: The update removes the associated registry key. For further details, refer to KB5020276 regarding domain join hardening changes.
- Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) and Linux Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI): This update applies SBAT to Windows systems, preventing vulnerable Linux EFI (Shim bootloaders) from executing. Note that this update will not affect systems that dual-boot Windows and Linux, and older Linux ISO images may require updates from the vendor to boot correctly.
- Notification for Windows Share in China: New! For nearby sharing to function, both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be enabled. If they are off when nearby sharing is activated, Windows will prompt users to turn them on.
- Start menu: New! Users can now drag apps from the Pinned section of the Start menu directly to the taskbar.
- Taskbar:
- New! When the taskbar is in focus (via WIN + T), pressing a letter will navigate to the app starting with that letter. Repeated presses will cycle through multiple apps with the same starting letter. Additionally, pressing Home and End will shift focus to the first and last items on the taskbar.
- The End task option has been refined to eliminate the non-responsive dialog that previously appeared before stopping a task. This option is available when enabled in Settings > System > For Developers.
- File Explorer:
- New! Users can now duplicate tabs by right-clicking them.
- A memory leak issue may occur when interacting with archive folders.
- File Explorer may become unresponsive during browsing.
- Initial searches from Home may yield no results.
- The address bar dropdown may appear unexpectedly.
- Saving files to Gallery may result in errors.
