Optional Windows 11 update is stuffed with useful improvements

Yesterday, Microsoft released the optional KB5041587 update for Windows 11, which brings several improvements — most notably, performance boosts for AMD’s latest CPUs.

Despite being an optional update, it’s probably worth installing this one alongside the usual automatic updates. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s new in this Windows 11 update?

Windows 11 update KB5041587 brings the version up to Build 22631.4112 and is available for Windows 11 Enterprise and Education version 22H2 and Windows 11 version 23H2.

Windows Share to Android phone

You now have the option to send files directly to an Android phone via Windows Share. Unlike with Nearby Sharing, the Android device doesn’t need to be in the vicinity for this to work — it just needs to be paired with your PC via Phone Link.

Related: How to use Nearby Sharing in Windows

After selecting a file, you can select the My phone option in the Windows Share window to send the file directly to your already-paired Android device. This is both simple and ingenious for quickly sending photos or documents to your phone.

Narrator improvements

Windows 11’s Narrator will read out loud the contents of documents and websites that you browse. With this update, Narrator’s scanning gets improvements to speed and accuracy, particularly when using the Edge browser and when reading large documents.

You can turn on Narrator using the Windows key + Ctrl + Enter keyboard shortcut. Once it’s on, you can activate Narrator’s scan mode with the Caps Lock + Spacebar keyboard shortcut.

Dictation improvements

Windows 11’s voice typing got performance improvements as well, allowing you to spell characters at a much faster rate. You also now have more commands for selecting, deleting, and moving within text.

File Explorer improvements

Several File Explorer bugs have been fixed in this update, including the Ctrl + F keyboard shortcut sometimes not starting a search, the Shift + Tab keyboard shortcut sometimes losing keyboard focus, and a few issues that arise when using Screen Reader.

AMD CPU improvements

Last but not least, the disappointing performance of AMD’s newer CPUs has been improved. Users with Ryzen 5000, 7000, and 9000 CPUs can look forward to up to 13 percent better performance.

Further reading: Ryzen CPU performance boosts now available to all Windows 11 users

Install this Windows 11 update

You can read the list of all improvements in the update log. Unlike the August 2024 security update, this optional update isn’t automatically downloaded or installed on your PC.

If you want these improvements and features, you must manually install the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and selecting to install update KB5041587.