The latest Windows 11 update, identified as KB5065426, is part of the September 2025 Patch Tuesday release. This update addresses multiple aspects of the Windows environment to enhance user experience while providing essential fixes.
Key Features and Improvements
One significant enhancement is the update to the taskbar calendar flyout, restoring a full clock display, reminiscent of Windows 10. Users can also enable seconds in the flyout via the Settings menu to gain more precise timekeeping.
File Explorer has seen several refinements, including a new divider in the context menus and preview profiles for users associated with work or school accounts. These changes aim to improve navigation and efficiency when managing files and folders.
Copilot+ PCs, benefiting from artificial intelligence features, now include a new homepage called 'Recall,' designed to display recent activities and collections. An interactive tutorial in the Click to Do app empowers users to leverage screen-scanning and summarization capabilities further. While these features provide powerful tools, users have the option to disable 'Recall' if desired.
Security and User Interface Updates
Security has also been prioritized, with system permission prompts now dimming the rest of the screen, aiding users in focusing on security dialogs when applications request hardware access. Additionally, the inclusion of AI-generated answers within the Settings search facilitates efficient problem-solving and troubleshooting.
The lock screen has become more customizable as widgets can now be reordered, with developers offered the ability to publish their widgets to the Store. This flexibility allows users to tailor their lock screen display according to personal preference.
Task Manager now boasts consistent CPU usage reporting across all tabs, making it easier for users to monitor their PC's performance in line with third-party tools. Furthermore, a grid view has been introduced for image results in Windows Search, optimizing visual content discovery.
Fixes and Stability Enhancements
Addressing previous stability issues, KB5065426 includes a variety of fixes, such as improvements to taskbar previews and a solution to the Windows Hello PIN recognition issue. The update further resolves multiple application crashes and rare audio playback failures.
Significantly, the update clarifies that it does not cause SSD corruption, dissociating itself from unrelated storage concerns attributed to separate firmware updates.
For those wishing to install the update offline, Microsoft has provided .msu packages via the Microsoft Update Catalog. These direct downloads ensure that users have access to enhancements regardless of internet connectivity, promoting wider adoption across various system configurations.
