Microsoft has released Windows 11 KB5072033 and KB5071417 cumulative updates for versions 25H2/24H2 and 23H2 to fix security vulnerabilities, bugs, and add new features.

Today's updates are mandatory as they contain the December 2025 Patch Tuesday security patches for vulnerabilities discovered in previous months.

You can install today's update by going to Start > Settings > Windows Update and clicking on 'Check for Updates.'

You can also manually download and install the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

This is the third 'Patch Tuesday' release for version 25H2, but as it's based on version 24H2, there are no exclusive or special changes. You'll get the same fixes across the two versions of Windows 11.

What's new in the December 2025 Patch Tuesday update

After installing today's security updates, Windows 11 25H2 (KB5072033) will have its build number changed to Build 26200.7462 (or 26100.7462  in case of 24H2), and 23H2 (KB5068865) will be changed to 226x1.6050.

The biggest highlight of the update is the dark mode support for dialogs in File Explorer and new Virtual Workspaces settings for managing features like Sandbox:

• [Advanced Settings] New! You can now turn on Virtual Workspaces in Advanced Settings. Virtual Workspaces allow you to enable or disable virtual environments such as Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox. To access Virtual Workspaces, go to Settings > Systems > Advanced. 

• [Desktop Spotlight]  New!  When Windows Spotlight is set as your desktop background (Settings > Personalization > Background), the context menu now includes two options: Learn more about this background and Next desktop background.

• [File Explorer] 

  • New! File Explorer now offers a more consistent dark mode experience. Key actions such as copy, move, and delete dialogs have been updated in both default and expanded views. Progress bars and chart views now align with the dark theme to improve readability. Confirmation dialogs for actions like skip, override, and file selection, along with multiple error dialogs, have also been refreshed for a cohesive look.

  • New! The simplified File Explorer context menu for easier navigation. Common actions like Share, Copy, and Move now appear in a single organized menu. This change removes clutter and makes commands easier to find, whether you use a mouse, keyboard, or assistive technology. This change will initially be available to a small group of devices as we evaluate the best approach.

  • [Gaming] New! The full-screen experience (FSE) is now available on more Windows 11 handheld devices after its initial launch on ASUS ROG Ally and ROG Ally X. FSE gives you a console-style interface with the Xbox app, making handheld gaming clean and distraction-free. It improves performance by minimizing background tasks, so gameplay stays smooth and responsive. To turn it on, go to Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience, and set Xbox as your home app. You can open FSE from Task View or Game Bar​​​​​​, or configure your handheld to enter full-screen experience on startup.

• [Input] New!  Pens that support haptic feedback—small vibrations that simulate touch—now provide tactile responses when you interact with the Windows interface. For example, you might feel vibrations when hovering over the close button or when snapping and resizing windows.

• [Keyboard] New! Keyboard backlight performance has improved on supported HID-compliant keyboards. Compatible keyboards display keys clearly in low-light environments, and the backlight adjusts to help conserve power.

• [Mobile Device Settings] New! You can add and manage your mobile devices in Settings under Bluetooth & Devices › Mobile Devices. On this page you can manage features such as using your device as a connected camera or accessing your device’s files in File Explorer.

• [OneDrive] New!  The new OneDrive icon now appears in Settings > Accounts > Homepage.

• [Recovery] New! Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) now runs a one-time scan on PCs with settings quick machine recovery and automatically check for solutions are both turned on. If a fix isn’t available immediately, QMR directs you to the best recovery options to get your PC running again

• [Settings]

  • New!  Keyboard settings for "character repeat delay and rate", and "cursor blink rate", have moved from Control Panel to Settings. You can now find "character repeat delay and rate" under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, and "cursor blink rate" under Settings > Accessibility > Text cursor.

  • New!  Settings now has an updated layout that organizes device details and related options in one place. You can quickly access features such as Storage settings for faster navigation. 

• [Taskbar & System Tray]

  • New! Animations for app groups on the taskbar have been updated. When you hover over app groups on the taskbar, you can see the preview transition as you slide between apps.

  • New! You can now share an open app window with Copilot directly from the taskbar. When you hover over an open app, you’ll see the option to share its window with Copilot—similar to sharing in Microsoft Teams. Hover over the app icon, select Share with Copilot to start a conversation. Copilot Vision will analyze the content you shared and provide insights based on what’s displayed in that app.

  • Fixed: The Automatically hide the taskbar setting might unexpectedly turn off, after seeing a message saying a toolbar is already hidden on this side of your screen. 

• [Widgets]

  • New!  You can choose a default dashboard in Widget Board settings. When live weather is showing, the Widget Board opens the first dashboard in your navigation bar instead of the most recently used one, making the experience consistent. To set your default dashboard, open the full-page Widgets Settings by selecting Settings in the navigation bar, then move your preferred dashboard to the top. 

  • New!  Dashboard icons in the Widget navigation bar now show numbers that correspond to the number of alerts from that dashboard. Navigation bar badges clear automatically when you leave a dashboard, making it easy to track what’s new. 

• [Windows Share]

  • New! ² Drag tray now supports multi-file sharing, shows more relevant apps, and makes it easy to move files to a chosen folder.

  • New! ²  You can now turn drag tray on or off from Settings > System > Nearby sharing.

  • New! ³ You can share OneDrive files through other apps. The options appear under Share using when you select the Copy link. You must be signed into your Microsoft account.

• [Display and Graphics]  

  • Improved: Performance has been improved when apps query monitors for their full list of supported modes. When this happens it could previously lead to a momentary stutter on very high-resolution monitors. This work should help prevent and reduce stuttering in these scenarios. 

• [Game Pass] References to Game Pass in Settings are now modified to reflect updated branding and benefits.

• [Start menu] Improved: For users with the new Start menu, the Windows Search panel now matches the new Start menu in size. This update aims to create a smoother transition when searching.

All these features are rolling out gradually, so it'll be a while before they show up on your PC.

At the moment, Microsoft is not aware of new issues with this month's Patch Tuesday.

Microsoft also confirmed that it will not be releasing optional updates in December, as most of the engineers will be away for the holidays. Updates will resume in January.