Microsoft has released the KB5068861 update for Windows 11 version 25H2 and 24H2. This is part of Microsoft’s November 2025 Patch Tuesday update, which fixes 63 vulnerabilities, including one zero-day vulnerability. Installing today’s update, advanced Windows 11 24H2 (build 26100.7171) and version 25H2 (build 26200.7171). This update brings a redesigned Start menu with new layout options, AI-powered Copilot actions in File Explorer, colorful new battery icons, and enhanced Administrator protection for better security. It also improves the Windows Update experience, boosts performance, and fixes several issues, including the annoying “Update and Shut Down” reboot bug.
It’s an important security update you should download and install on your computer ASAP. In addition to the Windows update, Microsoft has also published direct download links for Windows 11 KB5068861 offline installers.
Contents
What are new features and fixes?
| Area | Change / Feature / Fix |
| Start Menu | Redesigned layout with new grid, list, and category views; scrollable “All apps” page; option to hide “Recommended” feed. |
| File Explorer | Added “Recommended” section for frequently/recently used files; now supports personal Microsoft accounts. |
| File Explorer (Copilot Integration) | New “Ask Copilot” shortcut on the Home tab and right-click menu to analyze or summarize file content using Copilot. |
| Taskbar & System Tray | New colorful battery icons showing different charge states (charging, low, full). |
| Security & Permissions | Introduced “Administrator protection” feature that prevents unverified apps from elevating privileges without confirmation. |
| Windows Update Titles | Simplified update titles for easier understanding and consistency in Windows Update history. |
| File Explorer (Context Menu) | Fixed “Show more options” bug, improved click detection outside context menu, and prevented filters from resetting after app triggers. |
| Shutdown / Restart Behavior | Fixed issue where “Update and Shut Down” caused PC to reboot instead of powering off. |
| ARM64 Devices | Fixed Media Creation Tool error “We’re not sure what happened…” (version 26100.6584). |
| Video Playback / DRM | Fixed issues with applications using Enhanced Video Renderer under HDCP or DRM protection. |
| Performance | Improved taskbar load speed after sleep and general app responsiveness. |
| System Reliability | Overall, OS stability improvements, reduced crashes in core UI components. |
| Windows Update Experience | Improved reliability of update downloads and installation across both 24H2 and 25H2 builds. |
| Staged Rollout Info | Some new UI features (Start menu, Copilot, icons) are gradually rolling out via server-side enablement. |
These updates focus on improving usability, accessibility, and device efficiency, making Windows 11 more intuitive and user-friendly.
How to Install Windows 11 KB5068861 Update
The update is now available via Windows Update for all eligible Windows 11 devices. It is marked as a mandatory update and will install automatically unless deferred.
The update is available through Windows Update for automatic installation or can be downloaded manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog for users facing issues
Windows 11 KB5068861 download manually:
- Press the Windows key + X, then select Settings. Go to Windows Update, then hit Check for updates.
- You will see a new patch update available: 2025-11 Security update (KB5068861) (26200.7171)
- Click on the download now button to begin the process. Once done, reboot your computer to apply the changes.
- Windows 11 KB5068861 download offline installer
- Windows 11 KB5066793 download offline installer
The above link leads to the Microsoft Update Catalog, which is the library of Windows Update offline installers.
- First, click on the ‘Download’ button next to the version of the OS installed on your machine.
- Next, run the .msu files to begin the installation of the update.
- Once done, you need to reboot your PC to apply the changes.
You can press the Windows key + R, type winver and click ok to check Windows 11 Build 26200.7171.
What’s new on Windows 11 Build 26200.7171?
Microsoft has packed this update with several exciting new features and enhancements that aim to make Windows 11 more intuitive and versatile. It also includes various AI enhancements, particularly for devices certified with Copilot+ hardware, which will enable new functionalities like translation and unit conversion through the Click to Do feature.
The update introduces a redesigned Start menu with a cleaner and more flexible layout. You can now switch between grid, list, or category views making it easier to organize and find your apps.
The “All apps” section is now scrollable, and users finally have the option to hide the “Recommended” feed, which many found cluttered. This makes the Start menu look simpler and more focused on your pinned apps.
Microsoft has refreshed the battery icon on both the Taskbar and Lock Screen. The new colorful design changes dynamically based on your battery state, green for charging and good health, yellow for battery saver mode, and red for critically low battery. Also include an option to display the battery life percentage, which also appears on the lock screen
You can manage this under Settings > System > Power & battery, and then turn on the “Battery percentage” toggle switch.
The Voice Access feature has been upgraded with Fluid Dictation, which enhances on-device inference for punctuation and filler-word suppression, improving the overall user experience.
Another interesting addition is Copilot integration directly inside File Explorer. You’ll now see an “Ask Copilot” option on the Home tab and right-click context menu. This allows you to quickly query Copilot about a file, for example, summarize a document, explain a spreadsheet, or even get context on a project folder. It’s a small but useful step in making AI assistance more accessible inside Windows.
This update introduced a new Administrator protection feature that helps block malicious or unknown applications from elevating privileges without verification. This is especially helpful for preventing malware or scripts that try to silently gain admin rights.
- Fixed an issue where handheld gaming devices couldn’t stay in low-power mode, leading to faster battery drain.
- Resolved a controller delay bug on handheld devices — gamepads now respond instantly after signing in. The touch keyboard now hides automatically after entering your password or PIN.
- Fixed an issue that made some Storage Spaces inaccessible or caused Storage Spaces Direct to fail when creating a storage cluster.
- Fixed a Task Manager issue where closing it didn’t fully end the process, leaving background instances that slowed down performance.
- Fixed a parsing issue in HTTP.sys, which could cause network request errors when front-end proxies were used.
- Fixed an issue where “Update and Shut Down” caused the PC to reboot instead of powering off.
- Addressed multiple File Explorer bugs, including context menu glitches and click detection issues.
- Fixed a problem where filters reset when triggered by another app in File Explorer.
- Resolved ARM64 Media Creation Tool error (“We’re not sure what happened…”).
- Improved video playback compatibility for DRM and HDCP-protected content.
- Enhanced taskbar load time and system performance after sleep or hibernation.
- Improved app stability and reduced random system freezes.
- Fixed minor issues with update installation reliability and Windows Update titles.
- Improved overall system responsiveness and reduced UI lag.
- Enhanced security and permission handling for admin-level actions.
The update addresses a critical zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-62215) in the Windows Kernel that was actively exploited, along with 63 other security flaws, including a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and enhanced security for HTTP.sys request parser
FAQ: Windows 11 Update KB5067036
Q1: Do I need to install this update?
Yes, it’s important. This Patch Tuesday update includes essential security fixes, stability improvements, and performance enhancements.
Q2: What version will my PC show after installing?
After installing KB5067036, your Windows 11 version will be Build 26100.7171 (for 24H2) or Build 26200.7171 (for 25H2).
Q3: Why don’t I see the new Start menu or Copilot option yet?
Some features are rolling out gradually (server-side). It may take a few weeks before they appear on all devices.
Q4: Is it safe to uninstall this update?
Yes. You can uninstall it from Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates if you face any issues.
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