Windows 11 KB5031455 for 23H2 is causing problems

Microsoft is having some issues with the latest update of Windows 11, but it's OK since it's still on preview.

Windows 11 Copilot UI
Windows 11 Copilot UI
  • Microsoft’s update KB5031455 for Windows 11 23H2 is causing issues.
  • The update is causing problems during and after installation.
  • The company has also confirmed a problem with Copilot.

As part of the Windows 11 23H2 (2023 Update) rollout, Microsoft made the update KB5031455 available on October 31, 2023. However, since then, some issues have been arising, some of which the company has already acknowledged, mitigated, or resolved, and a few others that users have been reporting but the company hasn’t confirmed.

Specifically to the update KB5031455, Microsoft has confirmed that on devices with multiple monitors, users will notice issues with desktop icons moving unexpectedly between monitors or other icon alignment problems when launching Copilot.

At the time I’m writing this content, the company is not blocking the update on affected devices, but it’s turning off Copilot to prevent users from coming across this issue. (If you have a multi-monitor setup and Copilot isn’t available, now you know why.)

The software giant has also already mitigated a problem with BitLocker to prevent the error 6500 in MDMs and compatibility issues with Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers.

In addition, it has been reported by some users that the update KB5031455 won’t install on some devices, resulting in errors 0x800f081f, 0x8000ffff, 0x8007007e, 0x80073701, and 0x800f0984. (It’s unclear how many people have been affected by this problem, but it seems this is an instance of some isolated cases.)

Other users have also reported issues with performance during usage and gaming, including for apps like File Explorer.

I have also noticed poor performance with File Explorer. In my time using the file manager, I have seen that it takes longer to launch, including delays rending the interface, and dragging tabs in and out of the app takes a long time.

This could happen because Windows 11 23H2 introduces a new version of File Explorer that may look familiar but is based on new programming code using XAML and Windows UI Library 3 (WinUI 3).

If you’re facing one of these or other issues, it’s still possible to uninstall the update KB5031455 from your computer. The update is still in preview, meaning it’s not yet required to install it. However, it may become mandatory on November 14, when the Patch Tuesday will begin to roll out to compatible devices.

It’s important to note that the update KB5031455 is part of the version 23H2 rollout, but it’s also available for version 22H2. Technically, the device needs to install the update KB5031455 to download the new features and changes, and then the KB5027397 enablement package will install to enable the new features, change the version number from 22H2 to 23H2, and reset the support cycle for another 24 months for the Home and Pro editions and 36 months for the Enterprise and Education editions.

About the author

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 15 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 21 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].