According to Digital Trends, Microsoft has started rolling out KB5068861, the November Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 that moves the redesigned Start menu out of preview status. The update delivers practical fixes through Windows Update, including more control over Start with extra pins, the ability to hide Recommended section, All apps on the main page, and a quick Phone Link toggle. The Taskbar gets a larger battery icon with color-coding by power state and an optional persistent percentage readout. Microsoft fixed a Task Manager bug where closing it didn’t fully end the process, and Windows handheld devices get improvements for low-power behavior and controller responsiveness after sign-in. These visual changes appear gradually after installation as the rollout completes over the coming days.
Why this actually matters
Here’s the thing about Windows updates – most of them are background security patches that you never notice. But this one? You’ll feel it every single day. The Start menu has been a pain point since Windows 11 launched, with users complaining about limited customization and too much space wasted on “Recommended” content nobody asked for.
And that Task Manager bug they fixed? That was quietly killing performance over time. When you closed Task Manager, it wasn’t actually shutting down – just hiding in the background consuming resources. Basically, your computer was slowing down for no apparent reason, and now that’s resolved.
Handheld gaming gets smarter
This update is particularly good news if you’re using a Windows handheld like the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally. The improvements to low-power behavior and controller responsiveness after sign-in address exactly the kind of friction that makes handheld gaming frustrating. You know that moment when you wake your device and the controls don’t respond immediately? That should be history now.
It’s interesting timing too – with more companies jumping into the Windows handheld space, Microsoft is clearly paying attention to this growing market segment. They’re not just treating these devices like tiny laptops anymore.
What you should do now
So here’s your move: Check Windows Update, install KB5068861, then reboot. The changes won’t all appear instantly – Microsoft says they’ll roll out gradually over the next few days. Once they do, head to Start settings to add more pins, hide that Recommended section, and put All apps on the main page if that’s your preference.
Don’t forget the Taskbar battery settings either – that percentage toggle is genuinely useful. No more hovering over the icon to see exactly how much juice you have left. It’s one of those small quality-of-life improvements that makes you wonder why it wasn’t there from the start.
Looking at the bigger picture, this feels like Microsoft finally listening to user feedback. The Start menu complaints have been loud since Windows 11 launched, and these changes directly address the most common gripes. It’s not a complete overhaul, but it’s meaningful progress. Now if they could just bring back the never-combine taskbar option…
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