New optional update available for version 1903 and 1909

Sep 17, 2020 16:13 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has released new optional cumulative updates for Windows 10, and users running version 1903 and 1909 are among those who can download and test new improvements today.

Just like before, Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909 are provided with the same cumulative update because they come with an identical set of system files. Microsoft explains:

“Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909 share a common core operating system and an identical set of system files. As a result, the new features in Windows 10, version 1909 were included in the recent monthly quality update for Windows 10, version 1903 (released October 8, 2019), but are currently in a dormant state. These new features will remain dormant until they are turned on using an enablement package, which is a small, quick-to-install “master switch” that simply activates the Windows 10, version 1909 features.”

The new optional update that is available today is KB4577062, and it includes several important changes, like a notification in Internet Explorer that Flash Player support is coming to an end.

Adobe announced back in 2017 that it would be killing off Flash Player at the end of 2020, and now that the time has come, Microsoft is preparing for the change too. Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge will no longer support Flash Player, and thus users running the browser will see a notification after launching it.

At the same time, this cumulative update also introduces fixes for apps that enter a repair state, which obviously makes it impossible for users to launch them. There are also improvements for the experience with a pen, as Microsoft explains that some devices just stopped responding after using this touch input for several hours.

Microsoft says this update also includes improvements for the default apps, but also for File Explorer, the default file manager available on Windows 10. File Explorer continues to be the preferred choice for many users on the OS, despite Microsoft still not rolling out highly anticipated features like tab support.

Microsoft explains about cumulative update KB4577062:

“Addresses an issue that causes File Explorer to close unexpectedly when you use a Ribbon shell extension under specific circumstances. Addresses an issue that affects default application associations during certain upgrade scenarios. This might cause numerous toast notifications to appear when you first sign in after the upgrade.”

If you previously purchased a Microsoft Surface Pro X or a Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, you might have noticed that the experience with the Surface Slim Pen isn’t always working exactly as expected. Microsoft says that in some cases, the pen could just cause a Blue Screen of Death, so installing this cumulative update should correct the behavior.

There are several improvements for enterprises too, including the one below:

“Addresses an issue that might create duplicate Foreign Security Principal directory objects for Authenticated and Interactive users in the domain partition. As a result, the original directory objects have “CNF” added to their names and are mangled. This issue occurs when you promote a new domain controller using the CriticalReplicationOnly flag.”

While this is an optional update, Microsoft is set to include all its improvements in the next cumulative updates rolling out to Windows 10 devices as part of the October Patch Tuesday cycle. At that point, these patches will be shipped automatically via Windows Update, while right now, you just need to check for updates manually to be offered the cumulative updates. The updates have also been published on the Microsoft Update Catalog.

You can check out the full changelog in the box after the jump.

September 16, 2020—KB4577062 (OS Builds 18362.1110 And 18363.1110) Preview