Microsoft confirms a wider roll out of Windows 11’s new colourful battery icons on the taskbar
February 28, 2026
Windows 11 users can expect to see an upgrade in the form of colorful battery icons on the taskbar, as Microsoft continues its rollout across more devices. This announcement comes alongside the ongoing distribution of the new Start menu, which many users may find after installing the Windows 11 update KB5077241.
Microsoft has been working on these vibrant battery icons for nearly two years, with initial testing beginning in late 2024. The rollout commenced last year, but availability has been limited to select PCs. According to Microsoft, the optional update scheduled for February 2026 will expand the reach of these new icons, along with the updated Start menu.
For those eager to see these changes, activating the “Get latest updates…” toggle on the Windows Update page is recommended. While this toggle isn’t a guaranteed fix, it does facilitate a quicker rollout of updates, depending on Microsoft’s A/B testing strategy for your specific hardware.
I tested the new battery icons on the taskbar, and they’re decent
Upon installing Windows 11 KB5077241, users will notice a refreshing change in the battery icon on the taskbar. Gone is the plain white bar; it has been replaced with a green icon when charging, which occupies more space for better visibility of the battery percentage. A charging bolt icon appears during the charging process, while unplugging the adapter reverts the icon to white.
As the battery level decreases, the icon changes color to reflect the status: it turns orange when the battery drops to 30%, indicating that energy saver mode is activated. Users can also manually enable energy saver mode, which will similarly alter the icon’s color. If the battery percentage falls below 6%, the icon turns red, serving as a critical alert for users.
Additionally, users can now display the battery percentage directly on the taskbar. To activate this feature, navigate to Settings > System > Power & Battery and toggle on the “Battery percentage” option.
The Windows taskbar has improved dramatically over the past several months
While Microsoft has been reinstating features that were absent in the initial Windows 11 release, these enhancements are nonetheless significant. Notable improvements include the reintroduction of drag-and-drop functionality for files on the taskbar, the option to resize the taskbar when it becomes crowded, and credible reports suggest that users will soon have the ability to reposition the taskbar entirely.
In addition to the wider rollout of the new Start menu and battery icons, it has been observed that Secure Boot certificates, which are set to expire in June 2026, are being updated on more PCs. Microsoft has confirmed that it is distributing new Secure Boot certificates issued in 2023 to a broader customer base, including consumers. If you haven’t received these updated certificates yet, keep an eye out as they may arrive soon.
For those curious about verifying the application of the new Secure Boot certificates, a detailed tutorial is available that outlines how to use Event Viewer and a straightforward PowerShell script for verification. There’s no need for concern if you haven’t yet seen the new Secure Boot certificates; their rollout is ongoing, and Microsoft aims to ensure all PCs are updated by the June 2026 deadline.
As for personal experiences, while I have access to the new Start menu and colorful battery icons, I am still awaiting the Secure Boot certificates. What about you? Are you seeing the new Start menu, colorful battery icons, and updated Secure Boot? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
Microsoft confirms a wider roll out of Windows 11’s new colourful battery icons on the taskbar
Windows 11 users can expect to see an upgrade in the form of colorful battery icons on the taskbar, as Microsoft continues its rollout across more devices. This announcement comes alongside the ongoing distribution of the new Start menu, which many users may find after installing the Windows 11 update KB5077241.
Microsoft has been working on these vibrant battery icons for nearly two years, with initial testing beginning in late 2024. The rollout commenced last year, but availability has been limited to select PCs. According to Microsoft, the optional update scheduled for February 2026 will expand the reach of these new icons, along with the updated Start menu.
For those eager to see these changes, activating the “Get latest updates…” toggle on the Windows Update page is recommended. While this toggle isn’t a guaranteed fix, it does facilitate a quicker rollout of updates, depending on Microsoft’s A/B testing strategy for your specific hardware.
I tested the new battery icons on the taskbar, and they’re decent
Upon installing Windows 11 KB5077241, users will notice a refreshing change in the battery icon on the taskbar. Gone is the plain white bar; it has been replaced with a green icon when charging, which occupies more space for better visibility of the battery percentage. A charging bolt icon appears during the charging process, while unplugging the adapter reverts the icon to white.
As the battery level decreases, the icon changes color to reflect the status: it turns orange when the battery drops to 30%, indicating that energy saver mode is activated. Users can also manually enable energy saver mode, which will similarly alter the icon’s color. If the battery percentage falls below 6%, the icon turns red, serving as a critical alert for users.
Additionally, users can now display the battery percentage directly on the taskbar. To activate this feature, navigate to Settings > System > Power & Battery and toggle on the “Battery percentage” option.
The Windows taskbar has improved dramatically over the past several months
While Microsoft has been reinstating features that were absent in the initial Windows 11 release, these enhancements are nonetheless significant. Notable improvements include the reintroduction of drag-and-drop functionality for files on the taskbar, the option to resize the taskbar when it becomes crowded, and credible reports suggest that users will soon have the ability to reposition the taskbar entirely.
In addition to the wider rollout of the new Start menu and battery icons, it has been observed that Secure Boot certificates, which are set to expire in June 2026, are being updated on more PCs. Microsoft has confirmed that it is distributing new Secure Boot certificates issued in 2023 to a broader customer base, including consumers. If you haven’t received these updated certificates yet, keep an eye out as they may arrive soon.
For those curious about verifying the application of the new Secure Boot certificates, a detailed tutorial is available that outlines how to use Event Viewer and a straightforward PowerShell script for verification. There’s no need for concern if you haven’t yet seen the new Secure Boot certificates; their rollout is ongoing, and Microsoft aims to ensure all PCs are updated by the June 2026 deadline.
As for personal experiences, while I have access to the new Start menu and colorful battery icons, I am still awaiting the Secure Boot certificates. What about you? Are you seeing the new Start menu, colorful battery icons, and updated Secure Boot? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.