Microsoft has released the optional KB5041587 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2, which adds sharing to Android devices and fixes multiple File Explorer issues.

The August 2024 non-security preview update improves Windows sharing capabilities, enabling users to easily share content with their Android devices using the Windows share window.

"To do this, you must pair your Android device to your Windows PC. Use the Link to Windows app on your Android device and Phone Link on your PC," Microsoft says. 

KB5041587 also addresses several File Explorer issues causing the search not to start when pressing Ctrl+F and losing focus when pressing Shift+Tab.

Redmond also fixed a Bind Filter Driver bug that causes the system to freeze when accessing symbolic links, as well as a hibernate stop error that makes laptops stop responding after resuming from hibernation if you have closed and opened the lid many times.

You can install the KB5041587 Windows 11 update by going into Settings > Windows Update and clicking on 'Check for Updates." Since this is an optional update, you must 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 comes with additional fixes for:

• [Input Method Editor (IME)] When a combo box has input focus, a memory leak might occur when you close that window.
• [Bluetooth] External devices lose connection when you deploy certain Bluetooth policies.
• [Unified Write Filter (UWF) and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)] An SCCM task to re-enable UWF fails because of a deadlock in UWF. This stops the device from restarting when you expect it.
• [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 servicing (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 supporting 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 enablement package after first rolling out one month earlier as a Release Preview Insider build for enterprise testing.

It entered broad deployment last month, on July 18, and is now broadly available to all seekers 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-of-service date.