Microsoft is shipping KB5067036 to the Release Preview Channel for Windows 11 version 24H2 (build 26100.7015) and version 25H2 (build 26200.7015). This optional preview is the first look at the November 2025 cumulative update, with features rolling out in stages and some changes gated by region or account type. Version 24H2 and 25H2 share the same system base, so both receive the same feature set and fixes.

How to get the KB5067036 preview

On a device enrolled in the Release Preview Channel, open Windows Update and select Check for updates. If you’re not seeing it yet, rollout is gradual and may take time to reach your device.

  • Open Windows Update directly: ms-settings:windowsupdate
  • If needed, enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available in Windows Update settings.
Note: This preview targets the November 2025 cumulative update, expected on the November Patch Tuesday. The final name appears when it’s released to the Stable Channel.

Release scope at a glance

Component Version Build KB Channel
Windows 11 24H2 26100.7015 KB5067036 Release Preview
Windows 11 25H2 26200.7015 KB5067036 Release Preview
Windows 11 23H2 22631.6132 KB5067112 Release Preview (fixes only)

Features in KB5067036 are split between gradual rollout and normal rollout. Gradual items may not appear immediately on all devices and can be delayed or pulled back.

Start menu redesign (gradual rollout)

The Start menu gets its biggest refresh in Windows 11 to date. The “All” view is now integrated alongside Pinned and Recommended in a single, scrollable surface that adapts to your screen size.

  • Two app views:
    • Category view groups apps by type and highlights frequent items. New categories form when at least three apps fit a grouping; otherwise, items sit in an Other category.
    • Grid view lists apps alphabetically with more horizontal space for faster scanning.
  • Responsive layout scales columns and recommendations based on display size. On larger screens, you can see up to eight app columns, four category columns, and six recommendations; smaller screens show fewer columns.
  • The menu remembers your last selected view.

Taskbar battery indicators and percentage (gradual rollout)

Battery status in the system tray is clearer and more informative:

  • Color states: green when charging and in a good state; yellow at or below 20%.
  • Simplified overlays so percentage bars remain visible.
  • Optional percentage readout: enable it in Settings > Power & battery by toggling Battery Percentage.

File Explorer Home changes (gradual rollout)

File Explorer Home adds quick actions when you hover over an item—such as Open file location and Ask Copilot—when signed in with a Microsoft account. Enterprise/education (Entra ID) support is planned for a later update. This experience is not available in the European Economic Area.

Stability and reliability fixes in File Explorer include:

  • Custom folder views no longer reset when launched from other apps (for example, opening Downloads from a browser).
  • Resolved unresponsive windows after invoking the context menu.
  • Large archive extraction no longer fails with Catastrophic Error (0x8000FFFF).
  • Home no longer hangs on open in some cases.

Administrator Protection (preview, gradual rollout)

Administrator Protection aims to curb “free-floating” admin rights by granting just-in-time elevation while preserving the ability for local admins to perform required tasks. It’s off by default and can be enabled via Group Policy or OMA-URI in Intune. This is a preview feature and may change before broad availability.

Accessibility, input, and language updates

  • Voice Access adds Japanese language support and fixes unexpected stops that showed error code 9001.
  • Ink and pen input reliability is improved by addressing exceptions in microsoft.ink.dll and related APIs.
  • The Settings app’s AI agent adds French language support.
  • Settings > Accounts renames “Email & accounts” to “Your accounts.”

Display, graphics, and media fixes

  • Fixed partially stuck onscreen content when background full-screen apps update; scrolling now refreshes correctly.
  • Resolved cases where videos and games appeared unexpectedly red after recent updates.
  • Settings no longer crashes on System > Display when the Connected Devices Platform Service is disabled.
  • Protected content playback failures on some machines after installing KB5064081 are addressed (normal rollout).

Windows shell, login, and Taskbar behavior

  • Clicking a Taskbar window preview now consistently brings the app to the foreground.
  • Improved Taskbar load times and smoother rendering on the login screen after resume from sleep.
  • “Click to Do” no longer encounters an issue that could be triggered by pressing Windows key + P.

Windows Update and servicing reliability

  • Fixes an issue where “Update and shutdown” could fail.
  • Fixes Windows Update error 0x800f0983 in some scenarios.
  • Improves compatibility with older Windows Server versions when Credential Guard is removed.

Authentication and remote password change (normal rollout)

Addresses an ACCESS_DENIED error that blocked remote password changes on member servers or workgroup devices, even with the required permissions.

Get Started and Microsoft 365 Copilot (commercial)

The Get Started app adds a Microsoft 365 Copilot page on commercial devices to help users discover and engage with the service. Availability may vary by organization policies and rollout stage.

What about Windows 11 version 23H2?

KB5067112 (build 22631.6132) is also in Release Preview, focused on fixes for touch keyboard, networking, shell, and storage. With the end of support approaching, this version is not receiving new features.

Availability caveats and regional differences

  • Gradual rollout: many features are enabled in waves and can be delayed or canceled.
  • Region: some features, like File Explorer Home hover actions, are not available in the EEA.
  • Account type: certain features initially require a Microsoft account, with Entra ID support following later.

If a feature isn’t visible right away, check again after future cumulative updates—staged features often light up after a server-side or configuration rollout completes.

KB5067036 sets up November’s Windows 11 update with a Start menu that’s easier to navigate, clearer battery status at a glance, and a wide set of reliability fixes. If you’re in Release Preview, install the update, toggle on battery percentage if you want it, and try the new Start views to see which layout fits your workflow.