Windows 11 receives August 2024 update (KB5041585)

• Windows 11 build 22621.4037 and 22631.4037 for versions 22H2 and 23H2 as update KB5041585 for August 2024.
• The update pushes new features for File Explorer and Start menu as well as fixes for End Task, Taskbar, and Share.

Microsoft is now rolling out the Windows 11 build 22621.4037 and 22631.4037 for versions 22H2 and 23H2 (KB5041585) as the August 2024 Patch Tuesday update with new features, fixes, and improvements.

According to the official announcements from August 13, 2024, update KB5041585 for Windows 11 introduces a newer version of File Explorer that offers the option to duplicate tabs and fixes crashes and hangs. The Start menu now allows users to drag and pin apps to the Taskbar. In addition, the preview rolls out various fixes for networking, printing, and more.

Microsoft also notes that Windows 11 22H2 (Home and Pro) will reach the end of service on October 8, 2024, and after this date, these editions of the operating system will no longer receive security updates.

On Windows 10, the update KB5040525 only introduces networking, printing, security, and more fixes.

Windows 11 update KB5041585 changes

As part of the changes for builds 22621.4037 and 22631.4037, you will find:

File Explorer

In File Explorer, the right-click context menu for a tab now includes the option to duplicate the tab.

The update also fixes memory leaks when working with archive folders, introduces minor design bugs, and addresses problems with the search experience, the back button, and problems with the Gallery and Save dialog.

Start menu

It’s now possible to drag an app from the Start menu and pin it to the Taskbar. Although you have been able to pin apps to the Taskbar for a long time, you need to right-click the app and select the pin option.

End Task

The “End Task” option to terminate unresponsive apps will no longer show the “Not responding” message to confirm that the process is being closed.

Windows Share

For users in China, the system will show a prompt to turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to use Windows Share with the Nearby Share feature. In other regions, such as the United States, when you want to share files with other devices, Nearby Share will automatically turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Taskbar

Similar to the build 22635.3930, in the Taskbar, you can now use the “Windows key + T” keyboard shortcut to bring the focus, and then, if you press the first letter for the name of an app, the focus will jump to that app in the Taskbar. For example, if you press the “F” key, it will focus on the File Explorer app button.

If you have multiple apps that start with the same letter, pressing the key again will cycle through the apps that start with the same letter.

If you’re using the uncombined option for the Taskbar, the first letter navigation will use the window name.

Finally, while the Taskbar is in focus, pressing the “Home” and “End” keys will move the focus to the first and last items.

Other improvements

The update for Windows 11 fixes problems with the Universal Print Clients, which fail to communicate with the print service, and addresses the issue of trying to print from an app running from a USB device.

In addition, Microsoft is also updating the Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file to include a list of drivers at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.

You will also find resolutions for problems with Bluetooth, Windows Backup, and the cache manager. Furthermore, the update rolls out fixes for the Group Policy Preferences Item Level Targeting (ILT) and Local Users and Groups, TCP/IP causing high processor usage, the NetAdapterCx module, and Autopilot.

Microsoft also notes that this update addresses the BitLocker recovery screen that shows when starting the computer. However, you will need to provide the recovery key to start the device and download the August 2024 update.

Furthermore, this release fixes the Lock screen’s missing the “Use my Windows user account” check box to connect to Wi-Fi, removes the “NetJoinLegacyAccountReuse” Registry key, and applies the Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) to systems running the operating system to prevent the vulnerable Linux EFI (Shim bootloaders) from running.

Installing updates

To download and install this update on Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option, and click the “Check for Updates” button.

If you prefer manually installing the August 2024 update for Windows 11, download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

If you encounter issues after applying this cumulative update, you can uninstall it using these instructions to revert to the previous version of the operating system.

These updates were initially available as build 22621.3951 and 22631.3951 (KB5040527) in the Release Preview Channel on July 11, then they became available for download as build 22621.3958 and 22631.3958 (KB5040527) in the Stable Channel on July 25 before they rolled as the August 2024 update.

Update August 13, 2024: This page has been updated to ensure accuracy and include the latest information.