Windows 11’s November Patch Tuesday update brings new Start, battery icon improvements, and important Task Manager fix

Microsoft has initiated the rollout of its November Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, designated as KB5068861 and build 26200.7121. This update is now accessible through Windows Update and introduces a suite of enhancements aimed at refining user experience.

Notable Features and Fixes

The update brings a revamped Start menu interface that emphasizes customization. Users can now:

  • Pin additional app icons to the Start menu.
  • Hide the recommended feed for a more streamlined view.
  • Alter the display of the all apps list, which has been integrated into the main Start menu page.
  • Toggle the visibility of the Phone Link companion with a simple button click.
  • Enjoy a larger Start menu that adjusts according to screen size.

In addition to the Start menu enhancements, the Taskbar’s battery icon has received a significant update. The icon now appears larger and changes color based on the battery and power state. For the first time, users can also activate a battery percentage indicator directly on the Taskbar, allowing for quick access to their exact battery level without hovering over the icon.

Beyond these features, KB5068861 addresses several critical fixes:

  • Voice Access: Resolved an issue where Voice Access would fail during initial setup if no microphone was connected and the voice model was not installed.
  • Window Management: Fixed a problem where selecting the desktop could inadvertently open Task View.
  • Networking: Corrected an issue within the HTTP.sys request parser, which is essential for processing HTTP requests. This fix ensures compliance with the RFC 9112 standard, preventing parsing discrepancies in setups involving front-end proxies.

Users can easily download KB5068861 by navigating to Windows Update and selecting “check for updates.” Alternatively, the update package is available for manual download from the Microsoft Update catalog.

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Windows 11's November Patch Tuesday update brings new Start, battery icon improvements, and important Task Manager fix