- Microsoft rolls out account-related notifications in the Start menu and Settings app.
- The update KB5037768 also includes changes to make downloading and installing updates faster.
On May 14, 2024, Microsoft began the rollout of the update KB5037768 (build 9044.4412 and 19045.4412) for Windows 10 version 22H2 and 21H2 as the Patch Tuesday Update for May 2024. The security update includes various fixes, changes, and improvements for the notification system.
According to the official Microsoft notes, Windows 10 update KB5037768 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.
Perhaps, more importantly, this update fixes issues that may cause VPN connections to fail after installing the April 2024 update.
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 19045.4412 (KB5037768)
These are the new changes and fixes that Microsoft is making available as a preview in May 2024 for Windows 10:
Microsoft account notifications
The biggest addition to the update KB5037768 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 KB5037768 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.
Older version of Windows 10
In addition, the company is making available updates for older versions of the operating system, including versions 1809, 1607, and 1507.
For example, the company is rolling out the update KB5037765 for version 1809, bumping the build number to 17763.5820, resolving security vulnerabilities, and pushing some improvements, such as an update for the Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file.
Windows 10 1607 receives the update KB5037763, which bumps the version to build 14393.6981 and resolves several issues with this version.
Finally, Windows 10 1507 is getting the update KB5037788, which increases the version to build 10240.20651 and introduces a single fix to a problem with domain controllers.
Install build 19045.4412
If you want to download and install Windows 10 build 19045.4412, 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.
If you prefer manually installing the May 2024 update for Windows 10, download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
The update first became available as build 19045.4353 for version 22H2 in the Release Preview Channel, then the company updated the build to 19045.4355 in the Stable Channel as an optional update, and now it’s available as builds 9044.4412 and 19045.4412 for versions 21H2 and 22H2.
Microsoft is also releasing the update KB5037771 for Windows 11 as part of the May Patch Tuesday update.
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].