Microsoft has just rolled out the KB5046714 optional update for Windows 10 in November 2024, targeting systems running version 22H2. While this update doesn’t introduce shiny new features, it does serve as a critical patch aimed at addressing some genuinely pesky issues that users have faced. Here’s your deep dive into what this update entails, why it matters, and how you can take full advantage of it.
Your Start Menu therefore remains uncluttered with "Suggestions," but it also leaves users wondering whether Microsoft plans to incorporate it as an unavoidable inclusion down the road. For now, though, Windows 10 users can rest easy without the ad-hoc Microsoft Store nudges.
It also hints at Microsoft’s strategy of utilizing optional updates for ironing out very specific issues—without overburdening users or systems with unnecessary changes outside critical security needs.
For those comfortable testing the waters, manually installing KB5046714 is a worthwhile venture. And for everyone else, fret not—it'll likely roll into a cumulative update soon enough.
Are you planning to install this optional update? Let us know how it fits into your system journey. Be the voice of experience for fellow Windows enthusiasts here on WindowsForum.com!
Source: Windows Latest Windows 10 KB5046714 out with fixes, direct download .msu
What's New in Windows 10 Build 19045.5198?
Let’s break down the changes and fixes introduced in Build 19045.5198. While Microsoft has kept the visual bells and whistles to a minimum, this update plays superhero by addressing specific nuisances across software and hardware functionalities:- Cloud Backup Fix for Win32 Apps:
- You may have encountered an issue where shortcuts for Win32 apps failed to back up on cloud services. This meant that restoring your system from a backup inexplicably left you without these icons. The KB5046714 update resolves this niggling problem, ensuring your shortcuts are where they need to be when disaster recovery calls.
- File Duplication Issue in Cloud Services:
- Cloud users, particularly those leveraging services like Dropbox, faced bizarre behavior where copying a file moved it instead of duplicating it. The update corrects this, so your files remain safe and operational without any unsettling vanishing acts.
- Windows Activation Problems After Motherboard Swaps:
- Replacing a faulty motherboard on an OEM Windows 10 machine often left users in licensing limbo. Even if your license was tied to your Microsoft Account (a process called "Digital Entitlement"), the activation could fail, leaving your PC unlicensed. This issue is finally crushed in KB5046714, ensuring seamless activation even after hardware replacements.
- IPP Printer Freezing:
- If you've ever attempted to print over the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) and found yourself staring helplessly at an unresponsive system, you’re not alone. KB5046714 squashes this bug, making printing less of a hassle and more of the plug-and-play experience it’s supposed to be.
- Mobile Operator COSA Profile Updates:
- Certain cellular operators’ profiles have been updated within the Centralized Observation and Service Availability (COSA), improving connectivity for mobile-data-enabled Windows 10 systems.
Why Is This An 'Optional' Update?
As tempting as it might sound to jump straight into downloading every update, Microsoft has designated KB5046714 as optional. This means it won't be automatically installed—users will have to manually trigger the update download via the Settings app. Why does this matter? Optional updates are typically considered lower priority unless they address specific problems you’re encountering. They also let Microsoft shape these patches into perfection before baking them into the next mandatory update.Accessing KB5046714 (Manual Installation Steps)
Although "optional," KB5046714 is readily available for those who wish to install it. Here’s how:- Directly Through Windows Update:
- Open Settings > Updates & Security.
- Navigate to Windows Update, then click Check for updates.
- If KB5046714 pops up under the Optional Updates section, simply select and install it.
- Using the Standalone Installer (.MSU):
- Microsoft has made this update available via its Windows Update Catalog. This method is ideal if the Settings app fails to recognize it on your system.
- Download the appropriate installer file (64-bit or 32-bit depending on your system architecture).
- After downloading, locate the file in the Downloads folder and run it. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
What’s Missing?
While this update polishes off some distinct bugs, it notably skips introducing new features. A recommendation section for Microsoft Store apps seen in Insider builds didn't make the cut here (though rumors hint it could surface in future updates).Your Start Menu therefore remains uncluttered with "Suggestions," but it also leaves users wondering whether Microsoft plans to incorporate it as an unavoidable inclusion down the road. For now, though, Windows 10 users can rest easy without the ad-hoc Microsoft Store nudges.
Benefits vs. Drawbacks?
Every update raises the question: Should I install this?Pros:
- Fixes critical cloud-related bugs.
- Resolves hardware activation headaches.
- Streamlines printing for IPP users.
- Optimizes experience for mobile-connected systems.
Cons:
- Some users view non-mandatory updates skeptically, fearing instability or overlooked bugs.
- Optional updates don’t guarantee transformative performance benefits, so some might not be motivated to install unless affected by the highlighted issues.
Potential Pitfalls or Reports of Bugs
So far, KB5046714 lacks any known installation issues or post-installation bugs. That’s not to say problems won’t emerge in the wild (after all, Windows updates and unintended consequences are often synonymous). We'll monitor for further feedback and relay any updates if issues are reported by the community.Long-Term Implications
This patch demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to keeping Windows 10 relevant until its official retirement in 2025. Even as the Redmond giant steers the Windows 11 ship with all its next-gen technologies like AI integration, Windows 10 continues to receive polished fixes and updates to maintain reliability.It also hints at Microsoft’s strategy of utilizing optional updates for ironing out very specific issues—without overburdening users or systems with unnecessary changes outside critical security needs.
Final Thoughts
Windows 10 KB5046714 might not be revolutionary, but it serves as an effective broom sweeping up minor annoyances that had a real impact on user workflows. By addressing cloud nuances, activation hiccups, and IPP printing freezes, this update solidifies its place as a quality improvement measure.For those comfortable testing the waters, manually installing KB5046714 is a worthwhile venture. And for everyone else, fret not—it'll likely roll into a cumulative update soon enough.
Are you planning to install this optional update? Let us know how it fits into your system journey. Be the voice of experience for fellow Windows enthusiasts here on WindowsForum.com!
Source: Windows Latest Windows 10 KB5046714 out with fixes, direct download .msu
