Windows 11 Patch Tuesday update fixes Start menu bug

Windows 11 Update Settings
(Image credit: Future)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft recently shipped the August Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11.
  • The update brings systems to KB5016629 (OS Build 22000.856).
  • The August Patch Tuesday update fixes a bug that can prevent the Start menu from opening and includes several security improvements.

Late on the second Tuesday of August, Microsoft rolled out its regularly set monthly update for Windows 11. The Patch Tuesday update brings systems to KB5016629 (OS Build 22000.856) and includes several fixes and improvements. Most notably, it addresses a bug that can prevent the Start menu from opening on some PCs.

Here's what's new:

Highlights

  • Addresses a known issue that might prevent some of you from opening the Start menu.
  • Addresses security issues for your Windows operating system.    

Improvements

  • Addresses a known issue that might prevent some of you from opening the Start menu. On the affected devices, clicking or tapping the Start button or using the Windows keyboard shortcut might have no effect.

Microsoft outlines the steps to get the update:

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Release ChannelAvailableNext Step
Windows Update and Microsoft UpdateYesNone. This update will be downloaded and installed automatically from Windows Update.
Windows Update for BusinessYesNone. This update will be downloaded and installed automatically from Windows Update in accordance with configured policies.
Microsoft Update CatalogYesTo get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)YesThis update will automatically sync with WSUS if you configure Products and Classifications as follows: Product: Windows 11 Classification: Security Updates
Row 5 - Cell 0 Row 5 - Cell 1 Row 5 - Cell 2

There are two notable known issues with the update:

  • After installing this update, IE mode tabs in Microsoft Edge might stop responding when a site displays a modal dialog box. A modal dialog box is a form or dialog box that requires the user to respond before continuing or interacting with other portions of the webpage or app.
  • After installing this update, XPS Viewer might be unable to open XML Paper Specification (XPS) documents in some non-English languages, including some Japanese and Chinese character encodings. This issue affects both XML Paper Specification (XPS) and Open XML Paper Specification (OXPS) files. When encountering this issue, you may receive an error, "This page cannot be displayed" within XPS Viewer or it might stop responding and have high CPU usage with continually increasing memory usage. When the error is encountered, if XPS Viewer is not closed it might reach up to 2.5GB of memory usage before closing unexpectedly.

The standalone package for the update can be found on the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.