Windows 11’s November Updates Are Rolling Out: Why You Need To Update?

Microsoft has rolled out the November 2024 Patch Tuesday updates, releasing the Windows 11 cumulative updates KB5046617 and KB5046633. These updates are crucial for users, as they address significant security vulnerabilities and bring a slew of fixes and improvements to the operating system.

Mandatory Security Updates

Both KB5046617 and KB5046633 are mandatory cumulative updates because they contain the November 2024 Patch Tuesday security patches for vulnerabilities discovered in previous months. Users are strongly advised to install these updates promptly to safeguard their systems against potential threats.

Read Also: Top 2 ways to install the Windows 11 

What’s New in KB5046617 and KB5046633

After installing the updates, Windows 11 version 24H2 will have its build number changed to 26100.2314, and version 23H2 will be updated to 22631.4460. The updates bring a host of fixes and enhancements:

• Task Manager Fixes: Resolved issues where Task Manager incorrectly displayed zero running processes and an incorrect count for the number of groups when “Group by type” was enabled.
• Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Fixed accessibility issues with Dev Drive.
• Internet Connection: Addressed a problem where a small number of devices couldn’t connect to the internet due to DHCP server responses having duplicate DHCP options.
• Notifications: Introduced the ability to stop suggestions to turn off notifications from certain apps directly from the notification ellipsis or through Settings.
• Wi-Fi Password Dialog: Updated the dialogue to align with Windows 11’s visual design.
• Narrator Enhancements: Added new shortcuts and auto-reading features for email content in the new Outlook, mirroring the behaviour of the classic Outlook.
• Start Menu: Renamed “All apps” to simply “All” for a cleaner look.
• ALT + Tab Fix: Fixed an issue where the screen would go black for a few seconds when switching between certain windows.
• Copilot Key Settings: Users can now configure the Copilot key on the keyboard to open different apps or search, enhancing personalization.

Addressing Critical Vulnerabilities

The updates also tackle four actively exploited vulnerabilities:

• CVE-2024-49039: A zero-day flaw in the Windows Task Scheduler that allows attackers to elevate their privileges.
• CVE-2024-43451: A spoofing flaw that could reveal Net-NTLMv2 hashes, facilitating pass-the-hash attacks.
• CVE-2024-49019 and CVE-2024-49040: Publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in Active Directory Certificate Services and Microsoft Exchange Server, respectively.

Experts Weigh In

Security professionals emphasize the importance of these updates. Ben McCarthy, lead cybersecurity engineer at Immersive Labs, highlighted CVE-2024-43602 as one of the most threatening vulnerabilities, given its potential to allow attackers to perform privileged acts on remote machines within a network.

Similarly, Satnam Narang from Tenable noted the persistent focus of attackers on NTLM vulnerabilities, pointing out that CVE-2024-43451 is the third NTLM zero-day exploit this year.

A Call to Action: How To Update Windows 11?

It’s not just about new features and fixes; it’s about security. Users should head to Start > Settings > Windows Update and click on ‘Check for Updates’ to ensure their systems are protected.

Read Also: How to upgrade an old PC to Windows 11

While updates can sometimes feel like a nuisance, they are the frontline defence against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. Ignoring them is like leaving your front door unlocked in a questionable neighbourhood. So, don’t delay—update today.