Microsoft's latest optional update for Windows 10 22H2 arrives as build 19045.3992 (KB5035845), delivering a targeted blend of under-the-hood improvements and essential maintenance for the operating system's vast installed base. This Release Preview channel offering demonstrates the company's continued commitment to refining the Windows 10 experience despite shifting focus toward Windows 11, addressing specific pain points while laying groundwork for future security enhancements. For enterprise administrators and cautious upgraders, this update represents a critical midpoint between innovation and stability—a balancing act Microsoft must maintain as Windows 10 approaches its 2025 end-of-support deadline.

The update primarily functions as a stability enhancer rather than a feature vehicle, with Microsoft's official documentation emphasizing reliability improvements across several key areas. Core networking components receive attention through fixes for HTTP/3 protocol implementation issues that previously caused application crashes during extended data transfers. Printing subsystems see refinements addressing sporadic failures when using Microsoft Defender Application Guard with certain enterprise print queues, a fix particularly relevant for hybrid workplace environments. Additionally, the update resolves a memory leak in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS.exe) that could gradually degrade system performance on domain-joined machines—a subtle but impactful improvement for managed corporate devices.

Validated Technical Improvements

Through cross-referencing Microsoft's KB5035845 documentation with independent analysis from BleepingComputer and Windows Central, several key fixes are confirmed:

  • Authentication Protocol Enhancements: Patches for Kerberos authentication failures when smart card authentication is required but the card reader isn't available, preventing enterprise login deadlocks (Microsoft Support, March 2024)
  • Hardware Reporting Accuracy: Correction for L2 cache misreporting on certain Intel processors including Core i7-7820HQ, ensuring proper performance optimization (AnandTech verification)
  • Accessibility Compliance: Fixed Narrator focus loss when switching between browser tabs in Microsoft Edge, validated through WCAG 2.1 compliance testing (Accessibility Insights confirmation)

Security Infrastructure Updates

Beyond immediate fixes, the update plants seeds for future security enhancements:

  • Credential Guard Preparation: Background components enabling future implementation of Windows Defender Credential Guard virtualization-based security on Arm64 devices
  • TLS 1.3 Optimization: Reduced latency during TLS handshake negotiations observed in enterprise network traces by 15-22% according to Packet Monitor (PktMon) diagnostics
  • Deprecation Pathway: Removal of legacy SMB1 protocol components from default installations, continuing Microsoft's anti-malware hardening initiative

Performance Benchmarks and Real-World Impact

Independent testing by Neowin and Tom's Hardware reveals measurable performance differences post-update:

Workload Type Pre-Update Performance Post-Update Performance Test Platform
Domain Login (100-user simulation) 8.2 sec average 7.1 sec average Intel Xeon E-2286G
Large File Transfer (SMB Direct) 4.3 Gbps 4.7 Gbps 10GbE network
Excel Macro Execution 1:42 min 1:38 min Ryzen 7 5800X
Standby Memory Consumption 1.8GB 1.5GB 32GB DDR4 system

These metrics translate to tangible user experience improvements, particularly in managed environments where authentication and network performance bottlenecks frequently cause productivity drains. The memory leak resolution in LSASS.exe shows most significant impact on systems with constrained RAM (8GB or less), reducing forced application terminations by approximately 18% during sustained workloads.

Enterprise Deployment Considerations

For IT administrators, this update introduces both solutions and new testing requirements:

  • Group Policy Compatibility: Verified compatibility with all Windows 10 ADMX templates through Microsoft's Admin Center testing suite
  • Print Spooler Dependencies: Requires .NET Framework 4.8.1 update (KB5036620) for full printing subsystem stability
  • Deployment Caveat: Microsoft warns of potential compatibility issues with third-party VPN clients using custom TAP drivers, recommending isolated testing before domain-wide rollout

Emerging Installation Challenges

Despite Microsoft's testing, early adopters report several recurring issues:

  • Driver Signature Conflicts: Particularly affecting older Creative Sound Blaster cards and niche industrial control hardware, where Windows Update forcibly replaces manufacturer drivers with generic alternatives
  • Search Index Corruption: Approximately 3% of systems exhibit complete Windows Search functionality loss after update, requiring manual rebuild of the index database
  • Hybrid Sleep State Failures: Some laptops with Intel 11th-gen processors fail to enter low-power states, increasing battery drain during transport (acknowledged in Microsoft Answers forums)

Strategic Implications for Windows 10's Future

This update demonstrates Microsoft's pragmatic approach to Windows 10's mature lifecycle. Rather than flashy features, the focus remains on:

  1. Security Hardening: Progressive elimination of attack surfaces through protocol deprecation and credential protection enhancements
  2. Enterprise Sustainability: Addressing pain points in managed environments to extend viable deployment timelines
  3. Compatibility Preservation: Maintaining functionality with legacy hardware while preparing for modern silicon

The absence of user-facing features underscores Microsoft's resource allocation toward Windows 11, yet the substantive undercarriage improvements suggest Redmond understands that Windows 10's 69% market share (StatCounter, April 2024) demands serious maintenance through its final 20 months of mainstream support.

For most users, the measured approach delivers welcome stability. Home users benefit from refined background operations without disruptive interface changes, while enterprises gain crucial reliability fixes for core services. However, the persistent driver compatibility issues serve as a reminder that Windows 10's sprawling hardware ecosystem remains challenging to maintain. As Microsoft walks this tightrope between maintenance and innovation, build 19045.3992 represents a competent—if unspectacular—step toward October 2025's inevitable transition milestone.