All news with #windows 11 tag

Windows 11 KB5072033 & KB5071417 Patch Tuesday December 2025

🔔 Microsoft released cumulative updates KB5072033 (25H2/24H2) and KB5071417 (23H2) as the December 2025 Patch Tuesday rollup. The mandatory updates include security fixes, bug patches, and new or enhanced features such as improved File Explorer dark mode, Virtual Workspaces advanced settings, and expanded Full‑Screen Experience for handheld devices. Install via Settings > Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog; features will roll out gradually.

KB5070311 Causes Explorer to Flash White in Dark Mode

⚠️ Microsoft confirmed that the KB5070311 preview update can cause a brief bright white flash when launching File Explorer in dark mode on Windows 11 systems. The behavior is also triggered when navigating to or from Home or Gallery, creating a new tab, toggling the Details pane, or selecting 'More details' while copying files. Microsoft says it is working on a solution but has not provided a timeline; affected users are advised to disable dark mode as a temporary workaround.

Windows 11 KB5070311 Preview Fixes Explorer Freezes

🔧 Microsoft has published the optional KB5070311 preview cumulative update for Windows 11, delivering 49 non-security fixes and quality improvements. The November preview resolves an explorer.exe and taskbar hang triggered by certain notifications, corrects File Explorer search issues affecting some SMB shares, and addresses an LSASS access-violation instability. Install via Settings → Windows Update or download from the Microsoft Update Catalog; this update advances 25H2 and 24H2 builds to 26200.7309 and 26100.7309 respectively.

Windows updates hide password icon on lock screen issue

🔒 Microsoft warned that updates to Windows 11 released since August may make the password sign‑in icon invisible on the lock screen for systems with multiple sign‑in options. The button remains functional — hovering over the blank space reveals the password control. The issue is tied to the non‑security preview KB5064081 and later releases on 24H2/25H2. Microsoft has provided no timeline for a fix and offers no workaround beyond the hover action.

Microsoft: FIDO2 Security Keys May Require PIN on Windows

🔒 Microsoft warned that FIDO2 security keys may prompt users to create or enter a PIN after Windows updates beginning with the September 29, 2025 KB5065789 preview. This behavior affects devices running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 when a Relying Party or identity provider requests User Verification set to preferred. Microsoft says the change is intentional to align with the WebAuthn specification, which requires PIN setup when authenticators support user verification. Organizations that want to avoid PIN prompts can set user verification to discouraged in their WebAuthn settings.

Windows 11 24H2 Bug Crashes Explorer and Start Menu

⚠️ Microsoft confirmed a Windows 11, version 24H2 bug in cumulative updates released since July 2025 that causes XAML dependency packages not to register in time, leading Explorer, StartMenuExperienceHost, ShellHost.exe and other shell components to crash or fail to initialize. Microsoft provided three PowerShell Add-AppxPackage commands as a temporary workaround and says a restart is required after running them. Organizations using non-persistent VDI should run a logon script to provision the packages before Explorer launches; a permanent fix is in development with no timeline.

Nvidia issues hotfix driver for Windows October update

🔧 Nvidia released the GeForce Hotfix Display Driver 581.94 to address gaming performance regressions reported after the October 2025 Windows update (KB5066835 [5561605]) affecting Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems. The company notes this is a beta hotfix with an abbreviated QA cycle and is provided as-is to deliver targeted fixes more quickly. The driver is available from Nvidia Customer Care for Windows 10 x64 and Windows 11 x64 PCs.

Microsoft fixes Windows 11 hotpatch reinstall loop

🔁 Microsoft released the KB5072753 out-of-band cumulative update to resolve a known issue that caused the November 2025 hotpatch KB5068966 to repeatedly reinstall on Windows 11, version 25H2 systems. The update is rolling out via Windows Update and supersedes earlier hotpatches, so administrators should deploy KB5072753 instead of KB5068966 if they have not yet applied the November update. Microsoft said the reinstall behavior did not affect system functionality and was mainly noticeable in update-history timestamps.

Turn Windows 11 Migration into a Security Opportunity

🔒 Organizations should treat the Windows 11 migration as a strategic security opportunity rather than a routine OS update. While some users resist moving from Windows 10 or explore alternatives like Linux or legacy releases, those choices can introduce operational headaches and security gaps, especially as Microsoft phases out support. Use the transition to validate backups, recovery objectives, and patch posture to reduce exposure to unpatched vulnerabilities that increasingly target MSPs and their clients.

Windows 11 Introduces Cloud Rebuild and PITR Recovery

☁️ Microsoft unveiled two Windows 11 recovery capabilities — Point-in-Time Restore (PITR) and Cloud Rebuild — designed to reduce downtime and simplify device recovery. PITR builds on System Restore by capturing full system snapshots, enabling admins and users to roll a device back to a known-good state, including local files and applications. Cloud Rebuild allows remote reinstallation through Intune, leveraging Autopilot, OneDrive, and Windows Backup for Organizations to restore settings and data.

Microsoft to Natively Integrate Sysmon in Windows 11

🛡️ Microsoft will integrate Sysmon natively into Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, removing the need to deploy the standalone Sysinternals tool. The built-in functionality will preserve Sysmon’s capabilities, including support for custom configuration files and advanced event filtering, and logs events to the Windows Event Log. Administrators can enable it via Optional Features or run sysmon -i (or sysmon -i <config>) to load a custom configuration, and updates will be delivered through Windows Update to simplify management and improve coverage in large environments.

Windows 11 Adds Native Support for Third-Party Passkeys

🔐 Microsoft has added native Windows 11 support for third-party passkey managers, beginning with 1Password and Bitwarden. Introduced in the November 2025 security update, the platform-level passkey API lets Windows generate a cryptographic key pair while storing the private key in the chosen manager, and uses Windows Hello (PIN or biometric) to verify logins. Microsoft also integrated its Microsoft Password Manager from Edge into Windows so users can pick their preferred manager. The change aims to improve portability, phishing resistance, and ease of passwordless authentication across devices.

Microsoft fixes Windows Task Manager bug hurting performance

⚠️ Microsoft released a fix for a Windows 11 Task Manager issue introduced by the optional preview update KB5067036 that could leave multiple taskmgr.exe processes running after the window was closed. The defect, blamed for stuttering and CPU hangs on affected systems, is resolved in the November cumulative security update KB5068861. Microsoft recommends installing KB5068861, and users who cannot immediately update can temporarily terminate lingering Task Manager processes by running an elevated Command Prompt and executing taskkill.exe /im taskmgr.exe /f.

Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro Reach End of Support Now

⚠️ Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11, version 23H2 Home and Pro editions reached end of servicing on November 11, 2025; the November 2025 monthly security update is the last patch for those SKUs. Devices running those editions will no longer receive monthly security or preview updates protecting against the latest threats. Users are advised to upgrade to Windows 11, version 25H2, available to eligible devices via Settings > Windows Update.

Windows 11 Start Menu Redesigned with Scrollable All Apps

🔔 The Windows 11 Start menu has received its first major redesign since 2021 and is rolling out with the November 11 Patch Tuesday update. The new Start is scrollable and places the All apps list on the main screen, offering a categorized view (groups built locally from a JSON file) and a classic A‑to‑Z grid. The UI adapts column counts to screen size, lets you hide the Recommended feed via Settings > Personalization > Start, and is included in Build 26200.7019 and 26100.7019 or newer though it may not enable immediately after updating.

Microsoft tests faster Quick Machine Recovery in Windows 11

🔁 Microsoft is testing a faster version of Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) in Windows 11 that runs a one‑time scan in the Windows Recovery Environment to more quickly identify and apply fixes for systems that fail to boot. When WinRE launches QMR it connects to the internet to upload crash data so administrators can remove problematic updates or adjust settings remotely. The update also lets administrators and users toggle Smart App Control from Windows Security without performing a clean OS install, and is currently available to Insiders on Dev and Beta via Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300).

Windows 11 Store adds Ninite-style multi-app installer

🧰 The Microsoft Store web now enables Windows 11 users to create a Ninite-style multi-app installer that downloads and installs multiple apps from a single executable. Users can select apps on the Store website and click Install selected, which generates a background installer to run the installs. The capability currently works only in the Store web, is limited to a curated set of 64 apps, and restricts packages to 16 apps per download to avoid overwhelming Store servers.

Windows Task Manager Won't Quit After KB5067036 Update

⚠️ Microsoft confirmed a known issue where closing Task Manager does not terminate the taskmgr.exe process after installing the October 28, 2025 preview update (KB5067036). Multiple background instances can consume CPU and cause stutters. As a temporary workaround, end each process in a new Task Manager window or run: taskkill.exe /im taskmgr.exe /f while Microsoft investigates a permanent fix.

Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 Adds Ask Copilot and More

🗞️ Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 is rolling out to Insiders and introduces three headline features: a taskbar-based Ask Copilot, a new full-screen Xbox experience for handhelds, and Bluetooth Shared audio. Ask Copilot lets users search the internet, local files, and AI using text or voice and can be enabled via Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot. The new full-screen experience (FSE) aims to prioritize gaming on compatible handheld devices and can be set under Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience. Additionally, Windows now supports sharing audio to two Bluetooth devices and improves ARM PC performance by expanding x64 emulation support.

Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 Adds Ask Copilot Taskbar

🖥️ Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 introduces a taskbar-based Ask Copilot, allowing testers to query the web, local files, and AI using text or voice. The feature is optional and can be enabled under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar; Microsoft says it may eventually replace the existing Windows Search UI. The update also rolls out a full-screen Xbox handheld experience, a Bluetooth LE-based "Shared audio" preview to stream audio to two devices, and improved x64 emulation support to boost ARM PC performance.