How to activate the new features of Windows 11 with KB5067036

¿How do I activate the new features in the Windows 11 November 2025 update? Since its release, the Windows 11 Start menu has generated debate: for many, the change from Windows 10 was a step backward. With the October quality update, KB5067036 finally brings a more flexible Startup, customizable and close to what users requested, in addition to other visual and productivity improvements that are already being rolled out gradually.

If you have a computer with Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2, it is very likely that this update is already installed but its new features are not fully activated. The good news is that you can enable the new Start menu and all the other features right now., without waiting for Microsoft to flip the switch for your PC.

What's changed with KB5067036: New Start menu and more useful settings

The new Start menu corrects several of the limitations of the original Windows 11 design. The rigid division between "Anchored" and "Recommendations" disappearsAnd you can see the full list of apps right from the Start screen, without having to go to "All Apps." Plus, you can finally disable the recommended apps section to dedicate more space to your own apps.

Another key new feature is that there are now Three views for the application list: grid, list, and categoriesThis versatility makes it easier to find tools and organize content according to your preferences, something users have been requesting for a long time.

The update also adds small but significant details that make a difference in everyday life. The battery indicators have been redesigned both in the taskbar and on the lock screen, with colors and even percentage, making it easy to identify the charge level at a glance.

In parallel, Microsoft has refined the integration with its ecosystem. Mobile Link access is integrated Alongside the search area to control the phone from the PC, the File Explorer incorporates sections with documents you use often or have just downloaded, to speed up workflows.

The KB5067036 update, which arrives as an optional and phased patch, It is available for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, and also includes adjustments to the welcome experience with a new Microsoft 365 Copilot page, as well as adjustments to Privacy in Copilot's new AI mode, and a name change in Settings: the "Email and accounts" section is renamed "Your accounts" (in some builds it appears as "Your accounts").

How to check if KB5067036 is already installed on your PC

Before activating anything, it's advisable to check if your system has already received the update. You can check this in Settings > Windows Update > Update historyIf you see KB5067036 in "Quality Updates", you have it installed.

The exact system version is also important. To enable the new Command Prompt startup, You should have at least build 26100.7019 or 26200.7019Go to Settings > System > About to check your installation's build number.

Prerequisites and update download

If you don't have it yet, the easiest thing to do is go to Windows Update and click on "Check for updates". You can too Enroll your PC in the Windows Insider program to prioritize access. Alternatively, you can download the KB5067036 MSU packages from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Note that this KB may include multiple files that require a specific installation order.

For those who prefer a manual installation, Microsoft details two methods: Install all MSUs together with DISMor install each file separately in a specific order. Below you'll find ready-to-use commands for both DISM and PowerShell.

Activate the new Start menu and hidden features with ViVeTool

Many of the new features in KB5067036 are disabled by default while Microsoft completes the rollout. Therefore, ViVeTool is the way to turn them on immediately.It is an open-source utility that enables hidden features in Windows 10 and 11.

Step by step: Download ViVeTool from its repository on GitHubUnzip the folder to an easy-to-use location (for example, C:\\vive), and open Command Prompt, Terminal, or PowerShell as administrator. Then, navigate to that folder using the cd command.

To activate the new Start menu (and more new features), run one of these commands and press Enter. If you only want the Start menuThe first identifier is sufficient; the others activate associated features, such as the new battery icons:

vivetool /enable /id:47205210

vivetool /enable /id:47205210,57048231,56328729

Another syntax used by some users, including an additional ID, is as follows: ViVeTool.exe with several identifiers in the same command to encompass more experiences from the package:

ViVeTool.exe /enable /id:57048231,47205210,56328729,48433719

When you finish, restart the computerWhen you return, the new Home menu should be active. If you go to Settings > Personalization > Home, you'll see options to adjust views (categories, list, or grid) and disable the recommendations section if you prefer to prioritize your apps.

Install KB5067036 manually using DISM or PowerShell

Microsoft documents two paths. Method 1: Install all MSU files togetherDownload all the MSUs from KB5067036 and place them in the same folder, for example C:\\Packages.

Using DISM (elevated command prompt): Use PackagePath pointing to the folder with the MSUs To allow DISM to automatically detect and install the necessary prerequisites; if you want to change the default downloads folder, see How to change the default download location on Windows 11.

DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:c:\\packages\\Windows11.0-KB5067036-x64.msu

If you prefer PowerShell with elevated privileges, the equivalent command for Add the package to the online image is

Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "c:\\packages\\Windows11.0-KB5067036-x64.msu"

You can also use the Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA) to apply the MSU. If you are going to update installation media or offlineDISM allows you to integrate the package into a mounted image:

DISM /Image:mountdir /Add-Package /PackagePath:Windows11.0-KB5067036-x64.msu

And the PowerShell command for an offline image, avoiding pending states with the corresponding modifier:

Add-WindowsPackage -Path "c:\\offline" -PackagePath "Windows11.0-KB5067036-x64.msu" -PreventPending

Method 2: Install each MSU individually, in orderIf you choose the step-by-step installation, apply the packages in this exact sequence to avoid errors:

windows11.0-kb5043080-x64_953449672073f8fb99badb4cc6d5d7849b9c83e8.msu

windows11.0-kb5067036-x64_199ed7806a74fe78e3b0ef4f2073760000f71972.msu

Remember that, if you download additional dynamic packages For media, they must correspond to the same month as KB5067036. If there is no SafeOS dynamic or installation update for that month, use the latest version available.

This is the new Home: views, size and user experience

When you activate the redesign, the first thing that stands out is its scale: The panel occupies a large part of the vertical portion of the screen.This allows you to see more content at a glance. This helps reduce clicks, especially with large app libraries.

From the factory, many will see the activated application groupsCategorization makes it easier to find your way around, although the quality of that classification can vary depending on how many apps you have and how they're categorized. If you use a lot of apps, you might notice gaps or less relevant categories.

The list view provides continuity with the classic paradigm, but on small screens it can add Unnecessary displacement and blank spaces (If you prefer the classic menu, see) How to get the classic Start menu). For a better balance between information density and readability, the grid view is usually a better fit: more icons are visible and navigation is streamlined.

Beyond the views, the ability to hide "Recommended" It's one of the most celebrated changes. By removing that block, you free up space for pinned apps and the full grid, which then becomes the true star of the menu.

Other notable changes included with KB5067036

In the search area of ​​the taskbar you will find quick access to Mobile Link (Phone Link)This allows you to expand or collapse the content of your connected phone. It's a handy shortcut that can save you time when switching between your PC and mobile device.

File Explorer adds sections with frequently used files and recent downloads in its initial interface. This view speeds up the resumption of tasks, especially if you work with documents spread across multiple folders.

The lock screen and taskbar are getting a makeover Battery icons with color and percentage indicatorsOn laptops and tablets, this display is especially useful, as it avoids having to open menus to check the charge level.

In Settings, the "Email and accounts" page is renamed "Your accounts" (or "Their accounts" in certain compilations)aligning the naming convention with the rest of the panel. Additionally, the welcome experience includes a new Microsoft 365 Copilot page for enterprise devices with an active subscription.

Finally, there's "Administrator Protection," a security layer that protects elevated permissionsInstead of always operating with an administrator token, the system works with reduced permissions and requests authentication when a specific task requires occasional elevation, applying a least privilege model different from traditional UAC.

Specific improvements for Copilot+ PC equipment

If you have a Copilot+ PC, this update unlocks exclusive features focused on productivity and accessibility. First, "Click to Do" allows you to interact with Copilot more directlyYou can write a custom message in a contextual text box to execute actions on the fly. You can also generate documents, such as Word and PowerPoint presentations, using scripts (see How Copilot generates Word and PowerPoint presentations).

Among those actions, it is now possible translate text on screen using "Click to Do", and convert common units such as temperature, speed, length or area without leaving the workflow.

On touchscreens, if you hold two fingers pressed anywhere on the interface of the Copilot+ On PC, "Click to Do" will open. If you're interested in the Mico avatar, check out... How to activate MicoMicrosoft 365 Live Person cards are also integrated into that experience, and the unintentional startup when pressing the WINDOWS + P combination has been fixed.

In File Explorer, when you hover the cursor over a file in the initial interface, the following will appear: the quick actions "Ask to Copilot" and "Open file location"Additionally, a delay can be configured before executing a voice command, voice dictation becomes more fluid with grammatical corrections, Voice Access adds support for Japanese, and the Settings Agent adds French. Windows Search is also improved. It is enabled for all Copilot+ PCs.

Deployment status and how to receive the update sooner

The rollout is gradual. KB5067036 arrived as an optional cumulative update The update began in late October and continues to roll out. On computers running Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, enabling the "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" option prioritizes your device in the rollout.

If the update is ready for your PC, It will be downloaded and installed automatically. A single restart will complete the process. If it still doesn't appear, you can force a search in Windows Update or go to the Microsoft Update Catalog to install the packages manually as described above.

Known issues following KB5067036 and workarounds

Task Manager: After installing the October 28 update (KB5067036), Closing Task Manager with the "X" may not end the processThis leaves background instances consuming resources. Mitigation: Use Task Manager itself, go to the "Processes" tab, select "Task Manager" and click "End task"; or run this command in the console with elevated privileges:

taskkill.exe /im taskmgr.exe /f

IIS sites not loading: After the September 29 updates (KB5065789), some server apps that depend on HTTP.sys may fail, with "ERR_CONNECTION_RESET" messagesOpening Windows Update, checking for updates, installing them, and restarting usually resolves the issue. The fix comes in KB5067036 and later.

Smart card and certificates (CVE-2024-30098): since the October 14 updates (KB5066835), RSA requires KSP instead of CSPSymptoms: Unrecognized cards in 32-bit apps, signing failures, or "invalid provider type" errors. Permanent solution: Developers must update key storage recovery using the documented Key Storage API before April 2026.

As a temporary measure, you can set the Registry key DisableCapiOverrideForRSA to 0 (It will be retired in 2026). Steps: Open Regedit (Win+R, regedit), go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Cryptography\\Calais, create or edit "DisableCapiOverrideForRSA" with a value of 0, close and restart. Warning: Editing the registry carries risks; make a backup beforehand.

USB in WinRE: After KB5066835, some systems experienced USB keyboard and mouse not working in the recovery environmentThis issue was resolved with out-of-band update KB5070773 (October 20) and subsequent packages. Installing the latest system update should fix it.

Playback with DRM/HDCP: certain digital TV or Blu-ray/DVD apps Users could experience protection errors, crashes, or black screens, without affecting streaming services. Microsoft fixed the issues in the September preview version (KB5065789) and added improvements. in the October one (KB5067036) and later.

Installation with WUSA from a shared folder: Install MSU via WUSA from a network resource with multiple .msu files This may result in an ERROR_BAD_PATHNAME error. Mitigation: Copy the .msu files locally and run the installer from there. After restarting, wait approximately 15 minutes before checking the history in Settings to ensure everything is working correctly. update the status of the required restartMicrosoft uses KIR to resolve this in most environments.

Family safety and unsupported browsers: with the web filtering Active, Microsoft Edge is the only natively supported browser. Other options require parental approval. In certain versions, Chrome and other browsers could be closed This happens when "Activity Reports" is disabled. Temporary workaround: Enable "Activity Reports" in Family Safety. Microsoft added the latest versions of unsupported browsers to the blocklist on June 25, 2025 and published a fix in the July pre-release update (KB5062660).

sprotect.sys compatibility: devices with the SenseShield driver (sprotect.sys) These computers could become unresponsive in Windows 11 24H2 (blue or black screen). Microsoft implemented a compatibility suspension to prevent the 24H2 update from being offered to these machines. Update the software that uses that driver. to recent versions where the issue has been resolved. The safeguard was withdrawn on October 15, 2025.

Wallpaper apps: after installing Windows 11 24H2, some desktop customization applications They might not start correctly or display missing icons and virtual desktop failures. The safeguard suspension was lifted on October 15, 2025. If problems persist, Update or uninstall the app and consult the developer.

Finally, Microsoft indicates that The taskbar loads faster after unlocking the PC And they've fixed specific errors that occurred with Narrator when it started during ISO installation. These performance and stability improvements accompany the package of new usability features.

If your priority is to test the new Home, ViVeTool is your fastest allyBut if you manage multiple computers, you might prefer a controlled deployment with DISM or the standalone Windows Update Installer. In both cases, KB5067036 brings practical options to Windows 11, tailored to community feedback: more control over Startup, improved shortcuts, clear battery indicators, and a quality boost to Copilot+ PC features where applicable.