Microsoft has unveiled the optional KB5041587 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2, enhancing the operating system’s functionality with a focus on improved sharing capabilities and a variety of fixes for File Explorer. This August 2024 non-security preview update streamlines the process of sharing content with Android devices, allowing users to utilize the Windows share window seamlessly.
To take advantage of this new feature, users must pair their Android devices with their Windows PCs. Microsoft advises utilizing the Link to Windows app on the Android device alongside the Phone Link application on the PC to establish this connection.
File Explorer Fixes and Enhancements
In addition to the sharing enhancements, KB5041587 addresses several critical issues within File Explorer. Users will find that the search function now operates correctly when invoking it with Ctrl+F, and focus issues that arose when using Shift+Tab have been resolved. Furthermore, a bug related to the Bind Filter Driver that caused system freezes when accessing symbolic links has been rectified, along with a hibernate stop error that previously left laptops unresponsive after resuming from hibernation following multiple lid closures.
To install the KB5041587 update, users can navigate to Settings > Windows Update and select ‘
Windows 11 KB5041587 Highlights
The August 2024 preview release not only enhances sharing capabilities but also introduces additional fixes and improvements, updating Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 to builds 22621.4112 and 22631.4112, respectively. This month’s non-security preview update includes further resolutions for:
- Input Method Editor (IME): A potential memory leak when closing a combo box with input focus.
- Bluetooth: Issues with external devices losing connection under specific Bluetooth policies.
- Unified Write Filter (UWF) and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM): A deadlock in UWF that prevents an SCCM task from re-enabling UWF, hindering device restarts.
- Windows Hello for Business: Problems with PIN reset functionality when selecting the “I forgot my PIN” link on the credentials screen.
In a related note, Microsoft has reminded users that the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 22H2 will reach their end of servicing (EOS) on October 8. Following this date, these editions will only receive security updates and will no longer be eligible for non-security preview updates. However, support for Enterprise and Education editions will continue beyond October.
To ensure ongoing access to both security and non-security updates after October 8, 2024, Microsoft recommends upgrading to the latest version of Windows. The latest iteration, Windows 11 23H2, also known as the Windows 11 2023 Update, was initially released on October 31 as an enablement package, following a month of enterprise testing as a Release Preview Insider build. It began broad deployment on July 18 and is now available to all eligible systems, with Redmond actively force-installing the Windows 11 23H2 feature update on systems nearing their end-of-service date since February.
