The KB5031358 update, released on October 10, 2023, is a mandatory security update for Windows 11, version 21H2. This was a significant release as it marked the final security update for several editions of Windows 11 21H2 (Home, Pro, and Pro Education) before they reached their end of servicing. Update Highlights
Quality Improvements: This encompasses a broad range of fixes aimed at improving the overall stability and performance of the operating system. It includes addressing issues that might cause applications to crash, improving file system performance, and more.
The release of KB5031358 on October 10, 2023, marked a significant milestone for Windows 11 users, particularly those still running the original version (21H2). This cumulative update (OS Build 22000.2538) is notable for being the final security patch for several editions of Windows 11 version 21H2. Why This Update Matters: End of Service The KB5031358 update, released on October 10, 2023
Additionally, the update includes fixes for two zero-day vulnerabilities that were being actively exploited prior to October 2023:
Fixes memory leaks and issues with USB printers and Windows Defender Application Control. Installation Details File Size: Approximately for x64-based systems. Available via Windows Update Microsoft Update Catalog Common Issues and Fixes Many users reported installation errors like 0x80073701 0x800f0988 It includes addressing issues that might cause applications
| Issue | Affected Systems | Workaround |
|-------|----------------|------------|
| BitLocker provisioning failures in MDM (e.g., Intune) – error “0x800705b4” | Enterprise-managed devices with “Silent Encryption” policy | Use Manage-bde -protectors -add C: -Tpm manually, or update to November 2023 CU |
| Sysprep fails with error 0x80073cf2 after installing this update | Systems with Microsoft Store apps provisioned | Remove all Store apps before Sysprep (MS recommended) |
| Wi-Fi adapters may disconnect from enterprise 802.1x networks | Devices using PEAP-MSCHAPv2 | Update to KB5032190 (November 2023) |
Then schedule a reboot using:
Downside: A significant number of users reported a momentary black screen (1–2 seconds) when waking from sleep on multi-monitor x64 systems. Microsoft acknowledged this in a post-release known issue.
Conclusion: Minor boot time improvement, no gaming performance regression. The update fixes a high-CPU bug in the Search Indexer on Ryzen x64 chips. Why This Update Matters: End of Service Additionally,