The fifth cumulative update of the year is now available for Windows 10 20H2 and version 2004. This month’s Patch Tuesday update is rolling out via Windows Update, WSUS and MS Catalog. Microsoft has also published direct download links for Windows 10 KB5003173 offline installers.
KB5003173 is a Patch Tuesday update and it comes with security improvements, but it also includes non-security fixes if you haven’t applied last month’s optional patch. If you’re using version 20H2, you’ll be getting Windows 10 Build 19042.985 with a fix for a high CPU usage bug.
For those on version 2004, the patch would include the same set of fixes, but the system will advance to Windows 10 Build 19041.985 instead. If you’ve already upgraded to Windows 10’s May 2021 Update via the Insider channels, you’ll be getting Build 19043.985 and the changelog remains the same.
On supported devices, users will see the following cumulative update when they check for updates:
2021-05 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 20H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5003173)
Download Links for Windows 10 KB5003173
Windows 10 KB5003173 Direct Download Links: 64-bit and 32-bit (x86).
To download the offline installer, click on the above link to open the Update Catalog. On the next screen, locate the Windows 10 edition and version installed on your PC, and click on the “Download” button. In the next pop-up window, simply right-click and copy the .msu link and open it in a new tab to start the download.
Windows 10 KB5003173 (Build 19042.985) Full Changelog
Key highlights:
- Enables News and Interests feed.
- Fixes security issues.
- Fixes a high CPU usage bug.
- Fixes NTFS deadlock bug.
- Fixes issues with File Explorer.
This cumulative update adds the news and interests feature to the taskbar. However, it may not show up for everyone as this functionality is still rolling out (more on that later).
In addition to the new taskbar feature, Microsoft has also fixed a nasty problem that causes high CPU usage. As we reported recently, there have been reports of performance issues after recent monthly updates, especially after the last month’s cumulative update.
Users reported that they’re facing high CPU usage and PCs have slowed down considerably.
Windows 10 Build 19042.985 has cured this performance problem, according to reports from some users and our own tests. Microsoft hasn’t revealed how they fixed the problem, but it seems to be a ‘race condition’ where two processes crashed at the same time or conflicted with other running processes.
The “News and Interests” feed in the taskbar
Microsoft recently confirmed that it’s bringing the “News and Interests” feature that’s been available in the preview builds to older versions of Windows 10.
News and Interests feature is taskbar widget and it is similar to Google Discover, which means it can give users quick access to recent news, weather, finance and other information you may be interested in.
You can also view weather information from the desktop as it is displayed directly on the taskbar.
With today’s update, Microsoft has enabled the feature in Windows 10 version 20H2 and version 2004 for everyone. However, it may not show up immediately due to Microsoft’s staged rollout process.
Although the feature itself is included in the May 2021 update, users will not get it even after applying the patch. According to Microsoft, everyone will receive it in the next “several” weeks, as the company wants to assess the quality of the taskbar news widget before enabling it for everyone.
If you’ve already received the widget and you don’t like it, you can right-click on the icon and turn it off. Once turned off, it won’t use your internet or system resources to deliver curated news stories.
