Windows 11 KB5041585 cumulative update released with fixes, new features

Microsoft has released the KB5041585 cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2, which includes many improvements and changes, including the ability to directly drag apps from the Pinned section of the Start menu and pin them to the taskbar.

This update was released as part of Microsoft's August 2024 Patch Tuesday and is mandatory to install as it contains security updates for a variety of vulnerabilities.

To install today's Windows 11 update, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and click  'Check for Updates'. You can also manually install this update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

If you don't perform a Check for Update, Windows will automatically download and install it when you are not actively using your computer.

Microsoft is also warning that Windows 11 22H2 will reach end of service on October 8, 2024, and that users should upgrade to 23H2 before then to keep receiving security updates.

What's new in the Windows 11 KB5041585 update

Installing the KB5041585 update will change the Windows 11 22H2 build number to 22621.4037 and the Windows 11 version 23H2 to 22631.4037.

It includes several improvements, including a new feature that allows you to duplicate a tab in File Explorer by right-clicking it.

Here's the complete list of changes, but remember that some of the improvements and fixes are gradually rolling out:

• [FIX: BitLocker (known issue)] A BitLocker recovery screen shows when you start up your device. This occurs after you install the July 9, 2024, update. This issue is more likely to occur if device encryption is on. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Device encryption. To unlock your drive, Windows might ask you to enter the recovery key from your Microsoft account.

• [Lock screen] This update addresses CVE-2024-38143. Because of this, the “Use my windows user account” check box is not available on the lock screen to connect to Wi-Fi.

• [NetJoinLegacyAccountReuse] This update removes this registry key. For more information refer to KB5020276—Netjoin: Domain join hardening changes.

• [Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) and Linux Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)] This update applies SBAT to systems that run Windows. This stops vulnerable Linux EFI (Shim bootloaders) from running. This SBAT update will not apply to systems that dual-boot Windows and Linux. After the SBAT update is applied, older Linux ISO images might not boot. If this occurs, work with your Linux vendor to get an updated ISO image.

• [Notification for Windows Share in China] New! For nearby sharing to work, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be on. If they are off when you turn on nearby sharing, Windows will ask you to allow them to be turned on.

• [Start menu] New! You can drag apps from the Pinned section of the menu and pin them to the taskbar.

• [Taskbar]

  • New! When the taskbar has keyboard focus (WIN + T), you can press a letter, and you will go to the app whose name starts with that letter. When you press a letter more than once, you will go to the next app whose name starts with that letter. Pressing a letter more than once only works if there are multiple pinned or open apps whose name starts with that letter. If you are using an uncombined taskbar, when you press a letter, you go to the window whose name starts with that letter. Also, when you press Home and End, the keyboard focus changes to the first and last items in the taskbar.

  • The End task option no longer shows a not responding dialog before it stops a task. This option is only available when you turn on End task in Settings > System > For Developers.

• [File Explorer]

  • New!  When you right-click a tab, you have the choice to duplicate it.

  • A memory leak occurs when you interact with archive folders.

  • File Explorer stops responding when you browse within it.

  • When you search from Home for the first time, you might not get any results.

  • The address bar dropdown menu might appear when you do not expect it.

  • When you use the Save dialog to save a file to Gallery, an error occurs. Because of this update, your file saves to the Pictures library instead.

  • The search box does not show the correct folder name when you are in Gallery.

  • A blank area shows at the top of File Explorer.

  • The back and forward mouse buttons do not work when you hover over the Recommended Files section of Home.

  • Images flash when you view them in the Gallery.

• [Desktop icons] Spacing between them might become very wide.

As for known issues, Microsoft says it's not aware of any known issues, having fixed an outstanding problem where Windows kept booting into the BitLocker recovery environment.

You can find the full changelog for the KB5041585 update on Microsoft's support website.