Download Windows 11 KB5067036 (25H2) Update: New Start UI and Direct .msu Links

Microsoft is rolling out the Windows 11 optional update KB5067036, which introduces several exciting features, including a redesigned Start menu, an “Ask Copilot” shortcut within File Explorer, enhanced Windows Search performance, and vibrant new battery icons on the lock screen. This update is available for both the 25H2 and 24H2 versions, and users can choose to download it via Windows Update or through direct download links for offline installation (.msu files).

It’s important to note that KB5067036 will not be automatically downloaded to your system; you must manually select the ‘Download & install‘ option for the update. The patch appears as “Preview update (KB5067036) (Build 26200.7019) is available.” in the Windows Update section, as depicted in the screenshot below.

Download Links for Windows 11 KB5067036

You can find the direct download links for Windows 11 KB5067036 here: 64-bit and ARM-64. Be aware, occasionally the Update Catalog may display in a different language than your system’s settings, though this does not affect the installation process.

To download from the Update Catalog, click ‘Download‘ next to the relevant update package. This option should be used only if Windows Update is unresponsive. Below is a breakdown of the update sizes for reference:

Build Number	Size	OS Version	Architecture
26200.7019	3908.6 MB	Windows 11 25H2	x64-based
26200.7019	3714.0 MB	Windows 11 25H2	arm64-based

The installation of this update is expected to take about 7 minutes. A system reboot is necessary to finalize the changes. If you’re running Windows 11 24H2, you’ll receive Build 26100.7019, with the enhancements largely identical to those in the 25H2 update.

New Features in Windows 11 Build 26200.7019 (25H2) / Build 26100.7019 (24H2)

This month’s update is a significant one, but features will be gradually rolled out, meaning you may not see them immediately after installation.

1. Redesigned Start Menu with Category Layout

The anticipated new Start menu, which has been the subject of much speculation, is finally arriving with Windows 11 25H2, now also available for version 24H2. The update transitions the Start menu to a single, scrollable interface, eliminating the need for constant back-and-forth clicks between pinned apps and the full application list.

Moreover, users can disable the ‘Recommended’ feed. To do so, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start and uncheck “Show recommended files in Start, recent files in File Explorer, and items in Jump Lists.”

The updated menu offers three display options:

Name Grid: Apps appear in a grids layout, sorted alphabetically. Users can click on any letter to jump to their respective apps.
Name List: This layout reintroduces the traditional list format for app organization.
Category: Designed to categorize apps, it resembles interfaces seen in mobile OSs but is rooted in the familiar Windows Live Tiles.

Although users cannot create custom categories, several default categories exist, including Utilities, Entertainment, and Creativity. The Start menu has been designed to adapt to different screen sizes for a more user-friendly experience, although manual size adjustment remains absent.

2. Enhanced File Explorer with a New Recommended Section UI

The File Explorer interface also sees improvements, with a new Recommended section for users. While previously limited to enterprise accounts, the functionality is now available to standard Microsoft accounts, providing users with direct access to frequently used files.

Updated File Explorer with Recommended section

Users can easily disable this feature if they choose by accessing Folder options (three dots menu) and unchecking “Show recommended section” under the Privacy settings.

Additionally, enhancements to the File Explorer functionality address several bugs and improve overall speed, ensuring the application runs more efficiently.

Fixed context menu issues that switched between normal view and ‘Show more options’.
Resolved filter resetting problems when navigating from other apps.
Corrected mouse click functionality within the context menu.

3. Updated Battery Icons

The taskbar now includes colorful battery icons to signify charge levels more effectively. For instance, a green lightning bolt indicates full charge, while orange highlights diminished levels below 70%.

The battery percentage can be hidden if desired through Settings > System > Power & battery, providing users with more space on their taskbar while still allowing access to this information by hovering over the icon.

4. Enhanced Administrator Protection

This update introduces enhanced Administrator protection, verifying whether the requestor is the original owner of the computer when performing critical tasks. By using Windows Hello for authentication, the feature enhances security for administrative actions.

Users can manage this setting through the Windows Security app under Account protection. Though initially slated for a previous release, it has finally rolled out with KB5067036, albeit with a staged implementation.

5. Improved Taskbar Performance

Taskbar responsiveness has also been notably enhanced with this update, addressing issues where the taskbar took time to load after waking up from sleep mode.

6. Functionality for “Update and Shutdown” Restored

One of the longstanding bugs reported with Windows 11 has been addressed; the “Update and shutdown” option now effectively shuts down the system post-updates.

Known Issues with Windows 11 KB5067036

While this update shows great promise, any issues encountered during installation can typically be resolved using the Media Creation Tool for an in-place upgrade, which allows for troubleshooting of Windows Update without losing files.

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