Windows 11 KB5044380 lets you ditch Copilot key (direct download .msu)

Windows 11 KB5044380 is now available as an optional patch for everyone on Windows 11 23H2. For those on Windows 11 24H2, they’ll get a separate update sometime later this month. In addition to Windows Update, Microsoft has posted direct download links for KB5044380 offline installer (.msu) on the Update Catalog.

Windows 11’s October 2024 optional patch has a lot of bug fixes, but what’s particularly interesting and catches our attention is the ability to ditch Copilot key. As shown in the below screenshot, Microsoft is introducing a new toggle “Customize Copilot key on keyboard”, where you can remap the keyboard shortcut.

After installing the optional patch, Windows Latest noticed this toggle inside Personalization > Text input. From here, you can choose to have Copilot open another app or use Windows Search. Only modern, secure .msix packages can be used as Copilot key replacement.

It’s also worth noting that Copilot key now opens “Microsoft 365” app on devices that use Microsoft Entra ID. The app still opens the new Copilot experience on consumer PCs. This setting even shows up on PCs where Copilot key is not available. Changing it will not make any difference.

If you check for updates today, you’ll see the following patch:

2024-10 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5044380)

Download Links for Windows 11 KB5044380

Windows 11 KB5044380 Direct Download Links: 64-bit and ARM | Microsoft Update Catalog.

You can also grab it using Windows Update, but remember that it’s an optional release, so it will not download or install automatically. You need to seek the patch, and then manually select “Download and install” next to the patch.

What’s new in Windows 11 Build 22621.4391

Installing this optional update advances PCs to Windows 11 Build 22621.4391.

But Copilot key is not the only big change.

There are several interesting changes. For example, Microsoft has fixed an issue where Modern Standby, which is a feature that allows your 2-in-1 to wake up instantly from sleep, consumes more battery. It’s a battery saver feature, but something went wrong, and it ended up causing more battery usage.

We also noticed that KB5044380 could help Microsoft Teams work better with Outlook because the patches an issue where a bug blocked users from joining meetings.

Here’s the full list of improvements and fixes in Windows 11 KB5044380:

• For those who care or new users, Microsoft has added phone numbers product activation in various regions.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where Multi-Function Printers (MFPs) would not work correctly.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue that causes Blue Screen of Death when using vmswitch when working with virtual switches on virtual machines.
• A bug has been fixed where Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) did not work for certain mobile operations.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where the Windows Hello PIN reset feature did not work, blocking some people from accessing their hardware.
• Microsoft is now blocking more vulnerable drivers, including those that fall in “Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks” category.
• WebView2 apps now work better with Bluetooth and Xbox 360. This issue was flagged by Windows Latest in August, and it’s finally getting patched.
• A memory leak issue that caused apps to stop responding when using Bluetooth devices has been addressed.

As always, this is an optional update, meaning it won’t be installed automatically. If you want to apply the update, you can do so by going to the Windows Update section in Settings and selecting Download & Install.

You can also use the Microsoft Update Catalog that we’ve shared in the above steps.

Microsoft is currently not aware of any issues in the patch, and we’re also not seeing reports, but we’ll update this article if we come across anything weird.