Microsoft Announces Expanded Rollout of Windows 11’s New Colorful Battery Icons in Taskbar

Microsoft has announced an expanded rollout of the new colorful battery icons for the taskbar in Windows 11, a feature that aims to enhance the user experience across more devices. Along with this update, the company also confirmed that the new Start menu is being gradually made available to users. If you haven’t yet accessed these features, you can expect to see them following the installation of the Windows 11 update KB5077241.

The introduction of colorful battery icons has been in the pipeline for nearly two years, showcasing Microsoft’s commitment to iterating on user feedback and preferences. Initially developed in late 2024, these icons began their phased release last year, but availability has remained limited until now.

New Features with Update KB5077241

According to Microsoft’s statements to Windows Latest, the upcoming optional update, scheduled for February 2026, will introduce the updated battery icons to a broader array of Windows installations. Additionally, it will further enable the new Start menu. For those seeking immediate updates, activating the “Get latest updates…” feature found on the Windows Update page is advisable.

Activate latest updates in Windows Settings

Turning on this toggle will expedite the delivery of updates, so you receive enhancements more quickly than if the setting is disabled.

Visual and Functional Improvements

After applying the update KB5077241, users will notice that the taskbar’s battery icon has undergone a transformation. The icon now features a vibrant green color during charging, replacing the previous stark white appearance, and its size has been adjusted for greater visibility. This clear visual cue can help users better gauge battery status at a glance.

Accompanying the green color is a prominent charging bolt icon that indicates the device is currently receiving power. When the power adapter is disconnected, the battery icon reverts to white.

Once the battery level dwindles to 30%, Windows automatically activates the energy saver mode, leading to a shift in the battery bar’s color to orange. Users also have the option to enable energy saver manually, which will change the color accordingly. If the battery percentage drops below 6%, the icon then turns red.

Furthermore, an exciting new feature allows users to display the battery percentage directly on the taskbar, offering enhanced visibility of battery status.

Recent Taskbar Enhancements

Over the past few months, substantial improvements have been observed in the Windows taskbar. Although some features being reinstated were previously removed from the initial release of Windows 11, their return signifies positive progress.

Among the newly reintroduced functionalities are the ability to drag and drop files onto the taskbar and options to resize the taskbar when it becomes cluttered. Additionally, credible reports suggest that the option to relocate the taskbar will be integrated soon.

In conjunction with the updates to the Start menu and battery icons, Windows Latest has highlighted that Microsoft is actively replacing Secure Boot certificates, which are due to expire in June 2026, across an increasing number of devices.

Microsoft has confirmed that new Secure Boot certificates issued in 2023 are being rolled out to more users, including general consumers. If you haven’t yet noticed these updates, they may appear on your device shortly.

Curious about how to verify if the new certificates are implemented on your PC? We provide a comprehensive guide on using Event Viewer and a straightforward PowerShell script to check the current status of your Secure Boot certificates.

And if you haven’t observed the updated Secure Boot certificates, don’t be concerned; Microsoft is progressively delivering these updates and aims to have them installed before the June 2026 deadline.

Have you seen the new Start menu, colorful battery icons, and updated Secure Boot on your Windows 11 device? We encourage you to share your experiences in the comments below!

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