Windows 11 KB5043076 is a pretty nice release. It includes AMD Branch Prediction Optimization, which was rolled out last month as part of an optional update (KB5041587), but there’s a catch – September 2024 Update KB5043076 is failing to install and causing other problems, including File Explorer crashes when opening it from the taskbar.
AMD Branch Prediction optimization was first rolled out with Windows 11 24H2. It has been backported to Windows 11 23H2. After installing the KB5043076 update, you’ll notice up to 10% performance boost when using Ryzen 7700X and 11% on the 9700X. In early tests, several games have performed 5-10% better.
AMD Branch Prediction optimization is supposed to improve performance for Ryzen 9000 processors, but it’s also helping some Ryzen 7000-series chips running Windows 11 23H2 or newer. This update is apparently one of the biggest releases for AMD, which is why many people have rushed to download it.
Unfortunately, according to several reports, Windows 11’s September 2024 update is causing too many problems.
Watch out for issues with File Explorer in KB5043076
For example, some users have reported that File Explorer crashes when launched from the taskbar.
This issue was also observed in the August optional update, and it looks like it has slipped into the September patch.
Another user shared that the crash happens occasionally and sometimes a specific .dll file is the cause. This issue has been observed after installing Windows 11 September 2024 Update.
There are reports of Phishing Protection in Windows Security resetting to “off” when turned on. This happens after restarting or shutting down the PC.
We have also seen reports of Windows.UI.Xaml.dll running into problems after September 2024 Patch Tuesday, with one user noting in a Feedback Hub post, “KB5043076 has issues with Windows.UI.Xaml.dll and msvcrt.dll, bringing issues with anything that uses consent.exe and SystemSettings.exe. Due to it affecting consent.exe, also known as User Account Control, I cannot apply a fix, and uninstalling the update forces Windows to reinstall it.”
“Security update KB5043076 brakes UAC – Run as Administrator on my Enterprise W10 22H2, W11 22h2 and 23H2 machines: For me it blocks when I try to click “Run as administrator,” another user noted.
Other problems in Windows 11 KB5043076 update:
- One user complained that after the update, the search feature takes a long time to load
- A user flagged internet issues even when their device was connected to the router.
Some users described that after the cumulative update, apps wouldn’t load, and even restarting or shutting down didn’t work. They had to force shutdown and use a system restore point to temporarily fix the issue.
KB5043076 is a mandatory security patch delivered as part of Windows September 2024 Patch Tuesday. In other words, it is designed to automatically apply on supported Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 systems.
If you run into the aforementioned problems, you’ll need to manually remove the patch and then pause the Windows update by following these steps:
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
- Click on “Uninstall updates“.
- Select “Uninstall” next to the KB number.
- Reboot your system when asked.
- Go back to Settings and click pause updates for seven days, or you can also change it to a month.
Microsoft has yet to acknowledge the reports of File Explorer crashes, but we’ll update the article if and when we learn more.
