- Windows 11 builds 26100.6899 and 26200.6899 (KB5066835) have officially reached the Stable Channel for versions 24H2 and 25H2, bringing a suite of enhancements set to launch on October 14, 2025.
- The Release Preview Channel sees Windows 11 build 22631.6060 (KB5066793) for version 23H2, addressing several issues including sign-in screen freezes with SIM PINs, Remote Desktop crashes on multi-monitor setups, print queue malfunctions, and rendering challenges with the Chinese IME.
- Notably, Microsoft has decided not to introduce the Click to Do feature for Excel in the upcoming update, with plans for its release at a later date – UPDATE 9/17.
UPDATED 10/14/2025: Microsoft has commenced the rollout of Windows 11 build 26100.6899 (KB5066835) for the 24H2 version, marking the October 2025 Patch Tuesday in the Stable Channel for all users. Additionally, a first update for Windows 11 25H2 is being distributed as build 26200.6899 (KB5066835).This security update features a variety of new functionalities and visual enhancements across several applications, including Click to Do, Settings, Desktop, File Explorer, and Windows Narrator.
Simultaneously, Microsoft has released Windows 11 builds 22631.6060 and 22621.6060 (KB5066793) for versions 23H2 and 22H2 as part of the October 2025 Patch Tuesday.
According to the official documentation, both builds 26100.6899 and 26200.6899 integrate new AI capabilities for Click to Do. The Settings app now features a refined AI action experience, a new “Advanced settings”page to replace the previous “For Developers”section, and includes the migration of additional legacy functionalities from the Control Panel.
File Explorer is enhanced with a new “AI Actions”feature, while the Windows Share function allows users to pin their favorite applications. Users will also benefit from new keyboard shortcuts for inserting “en dash” and “em dash.” On the security front, a new Administrator Protection feature has been implemented, with support for third-party providers to manage passkeys.
In addition, update KB5066793 for version 23H2 addresses issues such as frozen sign-in screens, updates to mobile operator settings, Remote Desktop challenges, printer issues, and more.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft typically refrains from disclosing the final naming conventions for updates destined for the Stable Channel during their early development phases. While in preview, updates are categorized as non-security fixes; only upon release on Patch Tuesday do they receive their official titles, such as the “October 2025 Security Update.”
Moreover, versions 25H2 and 24H2 utilize the identical file system, meaning they offer the same set of features, updates, and fixes.
- New features in Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 update KB5066835
- What’s new in Windows 11 23H2 update KB5066793
- Installing Windows 11 October 2025 Patch Tuesday manually
- History of Windows 11 October 2025 Patch Tuesday updates
New Features in Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 Update KB5066835
This update is now being deployed, introducing a myriad of features, enhancements, and bug fixes within the context of the October 2025 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2 (build 26100.6899) and version 25H2 (build 26200.6899).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Click to Do New Actions (Delayed)
The Click to Do feature now includes the ability to recognize tables in snapshots, allowing users to utilize the “Convert to table with Excel” function to extract content directly into an Excel format.
This functionality is currently accessible on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. You’ll also require the latest version of Excel available through a Microsoft 365 subscription. Please note, however, users in Europe still do not have access to this feature.
Tags in Actions
The Click to Do context menu now showcases new and trending tags designed to enhance your discovery of actions.
Summarization Changes
Click to Do has been improved to provide more succinct summaries through the “Summarize” action.
Settings App Enhancements
The update KB5066835 introduces an updated AI agent for the Settings app, offering a new access point directly to various setting pages based on search results.
Desktop Indicator Positioning
Users can now reposition hardware indicators for brightness, volume, airplane mode, and virtual desktops on the screen.
The settings for repositioning these indicators can be found under Settings > System > Notifications.
Notification Center with Multi-Monitor Support
The Notification Center now supports multiple monitors. To view notifications, simply click the date and time area from the desired monitor.
Taskbar Improvements for Network Administrators
Network administrators can now apply app pinning policies without needing to restart the “explorer.exe”process; changes are updated automatically based on specific configurations.
File Explorer AI Actions
AI continues to be integrated into File Explorer via the introduction of “AI Actions.”
These AI Actions allow users to interact with files directly without opening them. Available options include:
- Bing Visual Search: Identify objects and landmarks or shop for items using an image.
- Blur Background: Automatically detect and blur backgrounds in images with customizable settings.
- Erase Objects: Remove unwanted elements from photos with the Generative Erase feature.
- Remove Background: Instantly isolate and remove a subject from an image.
These actions are available for JPG, JPEG, and PNG files. Additionally, the “Summarize action in Copilot”feature allows users to generate summaries of files stored in OneDrive and SharePoint, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription and a Copilot license.
The context menu has seen updates, particularly the “Open with” submenu, which has had its color backgrounds removed from icons.
Lastly, the update focuses on enhancing the performance of launching cloud files and speeds up context menu loading times.
The development team also addressed a notable bug where desktop icons and text could overlap when scaling was adjusted. They fixed issues related to the mirroring of icons in File Explorer’s detail and navigation panes for right-to-left languages, ensuring proper display and localization.
Windows Share with Pin Option
The Windows Share interface now allows users to pin frequently used apps in the “Share using” section.
Simply hover over the button and click the “pin” button to set your favorites.
Input New Shortcuts
Windows 11 simplifies accessing symbols, allowing users to enter an En dash (–) using “Windows key + Minus” and an Em dash (—) through “Windows key + Shift + Minus”.
Auto Super Resolution Improvements
Configuration for Auto Super Resolution can now be adjusted directly from toast notifications, streamlining the user experience.
Emoji Version 16.0
This update includes Emoji version 16.0, bringing a variety of fresh emojis, such as Face with Bags Under Eyes, Fingerprint, Root Vegetable, Leafless Tree, Harp, Shovel, and Splatter.
Settings App New Advanced Page
The Settings app now features an Advanced settings page, replacing the previous For Developers section. This page boasts a refreshed layout and introduces new functionalities, including Git integration in File Explorer.
Nonetheless, this version lacks certain options such as Long Paths and Virtual Workspaces, which were present in earlier preview builds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
On-Screen Braille for Windows 11
This release also incorporates a new “Braille viewer” feature within Windows Narrator, providing both textual and Braille representations for instructional use.
To activate this feature, use the “Windows key + Ctrl + Enter” shortcut to access Windows Narrator features, and utilize the “Narrator key + Alt + B” to open Braille settings. Windows Narrator also now offers improved reading experiences in Word with enhanced voice feedback, continuous reading, and smarter navigation.
Enhancements include better table structure cues, consistent announcements for list items, and more intuitive feedback when selecting content.
Voice Access with Natural Language
With this Patch Tuesday update, Voice Access now supports natural language commands on Intel and AMD-based Copilot+ PCs.
New Administrator Protection Feature
The newly introduced “Administrator Protection” feature within the Windows Security app offers an additional security layer, prompting for authorization when an untrusted or unsigned application seeks to make system changes.
The interface employs a yellow color scheme for potentially harmful applications while allowing elevation for trusted software with a lighter color scheme.
To enable this feature, navigate to Windows Security > Account protection, select the “Administrator protection settings” page, toggle the “Administrator protection” switch, and restart your system.
Though similar to “User Account Control”(UAC), this feature specifically ensures that any attempts to access or modify elevated session code or data require explicit permission.
Passkeys with Third-Party Providers
This update moves Microsoft closer to phasing out passwords in Windows 11 by enabling integration with plugin-based passkey managers, starting with 1Password (beta) as the initial provider.
This integration allows users to store and manage passkeys directly through 1Password and authenticate using Windows Hello (face, fingerprint, or PIN).
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To utilize this feature, install 1Password (beta) on your device, then go to Settings > Accounts > Passkeys > Advanced options to enable the plugin.
Once configured, you can use existing passkeys saved in your plugin credential manager or create new ones.
Search Settings Page Updates
The “Search” settings page will see the removal of the “Manage or clear your Bing search history” option, with the same functionality now accessible via the “Privacy dashboard” link at the bottom of the page.
Settings App Gains More Control Panel Features
This update brings several features over from the Control Panel to the Settings app. For instance, in Settings > Time & language > Date & time, the following additions from the Control Panel have been made:
- Ability to add additional clocks via the “Show time and date in the system tray” setting.
- Option to change the time server under the “Additional settings” section.
- Access to date and time formatting directly through the “Date & time” page, along with the ability to change AM and PM symbols.
In the Settings > Time & language > Language & region, updates include:
- Ability to adjust number and currency format within the “Regional format” section.
- Option to enable Unicode UTF-8 for comprehensive language support under the “Language” section.
- Capability to copy current language and region settings to the welcome screen, system account, and new user accounts in the “Additional settings” section.
In the Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, a new setting for character repeat delay and rate has been introduced.
Meanwhile, in Settings > Accessibility > Text cursor, a feature to control the cursor blink rate has been added.
This update also improves the loading speed of applications on the “Installed apps” page while correcting a link for BitLocker on devices that do not support it under the “Disks and Volumes” settings.
Additional Fixes and Changes
Alongside the new features, the development team is addressing various fixes and changes as part of the upcoming monthly update:
- Gaming: Enhancements to Xbox controller support have been implemented. A short press now opens the Game Bar, a long press launches Task View, and holding the controller powers it down. Additionally, game performance when using overlays like Game Bar has been optimized, particularly on setups with multiple monitors at differing refresh rates.
- Dynamic Lighting: Resolved an issue where the Dynamic Lighting Background Controller could overly tax CPU resources after unlocking.
- Voice Access: A bug where the feature could become unresponsive while indicating it was listening has been fixed.
- Windows Hello: Users should no longer see the “Something happened and your PIN isn’t available” error when attempting to enter Safe Mode. This update rectifies PIN setup issues on Microsoft Entra ID–joined devices following updates from or after KB5060842.
- Windows Sandbox: Fixed high CPU usage related to the
VmmemCmFirstBootprocess after login when Windows Sandbox is active. - HDR: Fixed instances where HDR settings would immediately disable after being activated.
- Quick Settings: Users now experience correct functionality when entering a PIN to cast from Quick Settings, with “Enter” confirming as expected.
- Input: Chinese characters should render correctly with the Input Method Editor (IME), resolving instances in which certain characters appeared as empty boxes in restricted text fields.
- Servicing: Resolved multiple disruptions in Windows Update caused by Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
- Media: Playback issues for secure content in digital TV, DVD, and Blu-ray applications triggered by KB5064081 have been fixed.
- Performance: Enhanced support for Windows Certificate Authorities with CRL partitioning.
- Battery: The Taskbar battery icon will now display charging status correctly when plugged in.
- Settings: Fixed crashes related to accessing drive info on Settings > System > Storage or in File Explorer properties.
- Windows Update: Addressed error
0x80070002preventing build installations for some devices. - Other: Several system dialogs, including error messages when an app fails to open, have been revamped using WinUI 3 for a contemporary Windows 11 appearance.
- Hyper-V: Fixed issues causing freezes and system non-responsiveness when a GPU paravirtualization device was assigned to a virtual machine.
What’s New in Windows 11 23H2 Update KB5066793
Microsoft is previewing a series of non-security fixes and improvements scheduled for October with the rollout of update KB5066793 for Windows 11 23H2 and version 22H2.
- Authentication: Resolved an issue that led to frozen sign-in screens after entering a SIM PIN on mobile broadband.
- Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA): Updated profiles for mobile operators reflect the latest configurations.
- Display kernel: Fixed a bug causing system shutdowns during Remote Desktop sessions across multiple monitors when disconnecting a docking station.
- Input: Fixed character rendering errors with the Chinese Input Method Editor (IME) and addressed instances where specific Chinese characters appeared as empty boxes in limited text fields.
- Printer: Fixed a crash within the Print Queue interface when accessing shared printer queues through the Settings app.
- System Services and Reliability: Resolved an issue where the
McpManagementservice was displayed without a description.
Currently, there are no known issues noted with this update, and this version will not receive new features as support is nearing its conclusion.
Windows 11 October 2025 Patch Tuesday – Manual Installation Process
To install this Windows 11 update, navigate to “Windows Update” settings by enabling the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button.
The update will download and install automatically. Alternatively, you can manually apply it by downloading update KB5066835 from the Update Catalog website. For version 23H2, utilize this download link for update KB5066793.
If any issues arise post-installation, you can follow these instructions to uninstall the October 2025 update.
Windows 11 October 2025 Patch Tuesday – Update History
- Initial Release – Release Preview Channel:
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.6713 release date: September 12, 2025.Official notes.
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.6713 release date: September 12, 2025.(Same)
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.6718 release date: September 17, 2025.(Same)
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.6718 release date: September 17, 2025.(Same)
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.5982 release date: September 11, 2025.Official notes.
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.5984 release date: September 16, 2025.(Same)
- Second Release – Optional Install (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.6725 release date: September 29, 2025.Official notes.
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.6725 release date: September 30, 2025.(Same).
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.5984 release date: September 23, 2025.(Same).
- Windows 11 22H2 build 22621.5984 release date: September 23, 2025.Official notes.
- Final Release – Patch Tuesday (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.6899 release date: October 14, 2025.Official notes.
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.6899 release date: October 14, 2025.(same).
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.6060 release date: October 14, 2025.Official notes.
Update October 14, 2025: This content has been revised to include new information and has been updated for accuracy.
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