Microsoft has released the optional KB5041587 cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 preview, which adds sharing to Android devices and fixes several File Explorer issues.
The August 2024 non-security preview update improves Windows sharing features, allowing users to easily share content with their Android devices using the Windows sharing window.
“To do this, pair your Android device with your Windows PC. Use Link for the Windows app on your Android device and Phone Link on your PC,” says Microsoft.
KB5041587 also fixes several File Explorer issues that cause search not to start when you press Ctrl+F and lose focus when you press Shift+Tab.
Redmond has also fixed a Bind Filter Driver bug that causes the system to freeze when accessing symbolic links, as well as a hibernation bug that causes laptops to stop responding after resuming from hibernation if you’ve closed and opened the lid many times.
You can install the KB5041587 Windows 11 update by going to Settings > Windows Update and clicking “Check for updates.” As this is an optional update, install it by clicking the ‘Download and Install’ link.
You can also manually download and install this non-security preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Windows 11 KB5041587 highlights
The August 2024 preview release includes additional fixes and improvements and will update Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 to builds 22621.4112 and 22631.4112.
This month’s non-security preview update also brings additional fixes to:
- [Input Method Editor (IME)] When a combobox has input focus, a memory leak may occur when you close the window.
- [Bluetooth] External devices lose connection when you implement certain Bluetooth policies.
- [Unified Write Filter (UWF) and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)] An SCCM task to reactivate the UWF fails due to a deadlock in the UWF. This prevents the device from restarting when you expect it to.
- [Windows Hello for Business] PIN reset does not work when you select the “I forgot my PIN” link on the credentials screen.
Microsoft also reminded today that Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 22H2 will reach the end of service (EOS) on October 8.
Until then, these two Windows editions will only receive security updates and will no longer receive non-security preview updates. However, Redmond will continue to support Enterprise and Education editions even after October.
“To continue receiving security and non-security updates after October 8, 2024, we recommend that you update to the latest version of Windows,” the company added.
Windows 11 23H2 (also known as the Windows 11 2023 Update), the latest Windows version, was released on October 31 as an activation pack after first being rolled out a month earlier as a Release Preview Insider build for enterprise testing.
It went into broad rollout last month, on July 18th, and is now widely available to all searchers on eligible systems. Redmond has been force-installing the Windows 11 23H2 feature update since February on eligible systems that reached or were close to their end date.