Microsoft rolls out new KB5035853 update for Windows 11 with key fixes and welcome enhancements

Microsoft has released the KB5035853 cumulative update for Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2, with build numbers 22631.3296 and 22621.329, bringing a host of improvements and security fixes to users. As part of the March 2024 Patch Tuesday, this update is a significant one, addressing various issues and introducing new features to enhance the user experience. Here’s what you need to know about the latest update for Windows 11.

What’s new in KB5035853?

Downloading KB5035853 on arm64

The KB5035853 update, released on March 12, 2024, includes a range of fixes and changes. Notably, it addresses security issues for the Windows operating system and includes quality improvements that were part of the previous update KB5034848, released on February 27, 2024.

Key changes in the update include:

• Mobile Devices settings: The Phone Link settings page has been renamed to Mobile Devices, streamlining the user interface.
• Snipping Tool integration: Users can now edit recent photos and screenshots from their Android device directly on their PC with the Snipping Tool, thanks to instant notifications.
• USB 80Gbps support: The update adds support for the USB 80Gbps standard, doubling the bandwidth of the previous USB 40Gbps, for compatible PCs and peripherals.
• Game installation stability: Games installed on a secondary drive will now remain installed, addressing a previous issue with game installations.
• Printer alignment fixes: An issue affecting long-edge fed printers with incorrect stapling or hole punch alignment has been resolved.
  Windows Settings sesponsiveness: The Windows Settings Home page has been improved to prevent random unresponsiveness.
• Networking improvements: Devices will now more reliably switch from cellular to Wi-Fi when Wi-Fi is available.
• Sleep issue resolution: A fix has been implemented for a problem that prevented systems from going to sleep when an external device was connected.
• Windows Backup App: The app will no longer show in the user interface in regions where it is not supported.
• Installation error fix: The update addresses a known issue where updates failed to install and displayed 0x800F0922 errors in Windows Update.

Important dates and servicing stack update

The update also comes with important announcements regarding the end of non-security updates for Windows 11, version 22H2. The new end date for these updates is June 24, 2025, for Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise multi-session editions. Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions will receive non-security preview updates until June 26, 2024.

Additionally, the servicing stack update – 22621.3294 and 22631.3294 – makes quality improvements to the component that installs Windows updates, ensuring a robust and reliable servicing stack.

How to get the update

Users can install the KB5035853 update by navigating to Start > Settings > Windows Update and clicking on “Check for Updates.” The update should install automatically during the normally scheduled patch window, but it is also available on the Microsoft Update Catalog for manual installation.

The March 2024 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 is a comprehensive package that not only enhances security but also brings practical improvements to the user experience. As Microsoft continues to refine Windows 11, users are encouraged to install these updates to benefit from the latest features and protections.