- Microsoft rolls out account-related notifications in the Start menu and Settings app.
- The update KB5036979 also includes changes to make downloading and installing updates faster.
- The company plans to roll out these changes during the May 2024 Patch Tuesday Update.
- This update was previously available as build 19045.4353 in the Release Preview Channel.
UPDATED 4/24/2024: Microsoft released the preview update KB5036979 (build 19045.4355) on April 24, 2024, for Windows 10 devices in the Stable Channel as an optional install. The non-security update includes various fixes, changes, and improvements for the notification system, which the company plans to release during the next monthly system update.
According to the official Microsoft notes (previous announcement in the Release Preview Channel), Windows 10 build 19045.4355 introduces Microsoft account-related notifications that will appear in the Start menu profile menu and the Settings app and changes the update mechanism process to make downloads and installations faster.
In addition, this flight improves memory efficiency in some hardware setups, rolls out changes for the Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file, and improves the overall experience of the Windows Search.
Furthermore, you will find several fixes for problems that, for example, prevent Copilot from working correctly, address startup problems for dual-boot systems, wireless earbuds, networking, and more.
What is new on Windows 10 build 19045.4355 (KB5036979)
These are the new changes and fixes that Microsoft is making available as a preview in April 2024 for Windows 10:
Microsoft account notifications
The biggest addition to the update KB5036979 is the new account-related notifications that will now appear in the Start profile menu and the Settings app Home page. These notifications will alert you about details and actions you may need to take on your Microsoft account, including reminders to use OneDrive to back up your files in the cloud and add missing information, such as your phone number, to recover your account.
These notifications will be enabled by default, but you can disable them from Settings > Privacy > General and turn off the “Show me notifications in the Settings app. When Off, required notifications are still shown” toggle switch.
On Settings > Personalization > Start, you will have to turn off the “Show me account-related notifications. When Off, required notifications are still shown” toggle switch.
These changes are not exactly new. Microsoft also released account-related notifications to Windows 11 users with the rollout of version 23H2.
Although this approach is meant to help users protect their files and accounts, it can also be considered another tactic from the company to lure users into using OneDrive and, as a result, Microsoft 365 services. If you want to protect your files and installation, you can perform a full backup regularly with the legacy backup feature available on Windows 10.
Windows Update
As part of the KB5036979 rollout, Microsoft is changing LCU (Last Cumulative Update) to reduce the update package size by 20 percent. The company is accomplishing this by removing the “reverse differentials” for the LCU, and this data will now be generated by the client.
These changes will result in faster downloads, reduction of bandwidth, optimization of network traffic, and improved performance.
What is the LCU (Last Cumulative Update)? This is the folder in C:/Windows/Servicing/LCU that contains a backup of the last cumulative update installed on the computer, in case you want to remove it. This is a system folder that cannot be deleted or tampered with.
Fixes and improvements
This update also improves memory granularity, which means better performance in specific hardware setups.
It updates some mobile operators’ Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles.
Microsoft is also making the necessary changes in the “DriverSiPolicy.p7b” file (Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist) to block drivers that could be vulnerable to security attacks.
The Windows 10 update KB5036979 introduces changes to make it easier to find an app after installation using Windows Search.
If you have a dual-boot system, this release will address an issue that may cause startup problems, and this update fixes issues with Copilot, Bluetooth connections for earbuds, memory leaks, hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), and more.
Finally, it also improves the quality and reliability of widgets on the Lock screen.
Install build 19045.4355
If you want to download and install Windows 10 build 19045.4355, you can force the update from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch and click the “Check for updates” button.
It’s important to note that this is the second preview. The company will eventually make this update with a different build number available to everyone with the same KB number but with a slightly higher build number.
Update April 24, 2024: This content has been updated to include new details and confirm that the update is available in the Stable Channel.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].