Microsoft has rolled out cumulative updates KB5068861 and KB5068865 for Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2. These updates are not just routine maintenance; they address critical security vulnerabilities, resolve various bugs, and introduce new features to enhance user experience.
Today’s updates are mandatory, incorporating the November 2025 Patch Tuesday security patches that tackle vulnerabilities identified in prior months. Users can easily install the updates by navigating to Start > Settings > Windows Update and selecting ‘Check for Updates’.
For those who prefer a manual approach, the updates are also available for download directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
This marks the second ‘Patch Tuesday’ release for version 25H2. However, since it is based on version 24H2, users can expect consistent fixes across both versions of Windows 11.
What’s new in the November 2025 Patch Tuesday update
Upon installation of the security updates, the build number for Windows 11 25H2 (KB5066835) will shift to Build 26200.7019, while 23H2 (KB5068865) will be updated to 226×1.6050. One of the most notable enhancements in this update is the revamped Start menu UI, which allows users to remove the Recommended feed for a more streamlined interface. Although the new Start UI may initially appear cluttered due to the presence of multiple default icons, users can opt for the Categories mode to group applications effectively.
- [Lock screen] New! The lock screen now features updated battery icons, complete with color indicators and battery percentage, conveniently located in the lower-right corner. This enhancement simplifies the process of checking your device’s charging status and battery level at a glance.
- [Microsoft 365 Copilot] New! A dedicated Microsoft 365 Copilot page has been introduced in the Get Started experience for commercial devices with an active Microsoft 365 subscription, facilitating easier access to Copilot features.
- [Settings] New! The “Email & accounts” section has been rebranded to “Your accounts,” consolidating account management under Settings > Accounts.
- [Taskbar]
- New! The taskbar battery icons have been refreshed, providing clearer visual cues for charging status: green indicates charging, yellow signals battery saver mode at 20% or below, and red warns of critically low battery levels. Users can enable the battery percentage display next to the icon via Settings > System > Power & battery.
- Fixed: An issue where hovering over an app icon on the taskbar would cause the window preview to dismiss without bringing the window to the foreground.
- [Administrator Protection Preview] New! This feature aims to safeguard free-floating admin rights for administrators, allowing them to perform administrative tasks using just-in-time privileges. It is disabled by default but can be activated through OMA-URI in Microsoft Intune or Group Policy.
- [Post-Quantum Cryptography] New! The update introduces API support for NIST post-quantum cryptography algorithms ML-KEM and ML-DSA, aligning with FIPS 203 and FIPS 204 standards for key exchange, signing, and decryption.
- [Display and Graphics]
- Fixed: Resolved issues where apps and browsers displayed partially unresponsive content when other maximized or full-screen apps were updating in the background.
- Fixed: Addressed a problem where videos and games appeared unexpectedly red after installing KB5064081.
- Fixed: Corrected an issue causing Settings to become unresponsive when the Connected Devices Platform Service was disabled.
- [File Explorer]
- Fixed: Resolved the context menu switching between normal view and Show More Options on right-click.
- Fixed: Addressed the resetting of custom views when opening folders from other applications.
- Fixed: Corrected unresponsiveness in the File Explorer window after invoking the context menu.
- [Input] Fixed issues with microsoft.ink.dll that caused pen and handwriting input to become unresponsive.
- [Narrator] Fixed a problem where Narrator failed to launch during Windows setup using an ISO.
- [Open and Save Dialog] Fixed unresponsiveness in certain apps when launching the Open or Save Dialog.
- [Remote Credential Guard] Fixed unexpected failures in Remote Credential Guard scenarios between the latest Windows 11 builds and earlier versions of Windows Server.
- [Sign in to your PC] Improved performance in loading the taskbar after unlocking from sleep, addressing rendering issues on the sign-in screen.
- [Task Manager] Fixed an issue where some apps were not grouped with their respective processes.
These features will be rolled out gradually, so users may experience varying timelines for availability on their devices. Currently, Microsoft has reported no new issues associated with this month’s Patch Tuesday.
It is important to note that this update marks the final release for Windows 11 23H2, as support for this operating system version concludes today. Additionally, Microsoft has announced that there will be no optional updates released in December, as many engineers will be on holiday. Nonetheless, Patch Tuesday updates will proceed as scheduled.
