Thanks again davidfor, you've got me on the ropes and now I have no idea what could have caused my issue, if it's likely not the upgrade.
Did you create Kobo Utilities? If so, bravo sir, it's an indispensable utility for many happy users, and apologies for my ignorance!
I was confused by your instruction to "try the help in the top right corner of each dialog". When I clicked the drop-down, I don't see a help link next to each item, then realized you might have meant clicking the Kobo Utilities icon/button instead of the drop-down, no? If so, I see it top right of "Kobo Utilities Options"... Funny, I've never clicked it, always used the drop-down.
Some people's kids.