14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has rolled out KB4481031, a .NET Framework cumulative update that brings improvements for version 3.5 and 4.7.2 on Windows 10 version 1809 and Windows Server 2019.
The update resolves several bugs in .NET Framework, and Microsoft explains in the changelog (which you can read in full in the box at the end of the article) that it fixes a garbage collection issue in JIT-compiled code and a problem hitting IIS-hosted net.tcp WCF services.
Interestingly, the update was originally shipped to Windows 10 devices via Windows Update as an automatic download, but Microsoft is now offering it only for users who manually check for updates.
To get the update, you need to head over to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and press the button that reads Check for updates. Most likely, the automatic rollout will resume next month when Microsoft ships the February 2019 Patch Tuesday fixes and KB4481031 would be released to all devices.
No installation issues so far
Microsoft does not provide a reason for its decision to make this available on-demand, but explains the following on the official KB page:
“For 24 hours, this Jan 22, 2019 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.7.2 (KB4481031) was made available broadly on Windows Update as an automatic update.
As of January 23, 2019, this update is no longer offered on Windows Update as an automatic update, but rather only to "seekers" who go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and then select Check for updates, as is expected. This update continues to be available on WSUS and Microsoft Update Catalog.”
There are no reports of failed installs or anything like that, and all devices, includes ours, installed the .NET Framework cumulative update correctly. We’ll continue to monitor the main feedback channels and update this article should any issues be reported.