Microsoft has released its final major Windows 11 update of the year, and it’s a big one. KB5072033, the December 9, 2025 Patch Tuesday cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, packs both essential security fixes and a long list of user-facing improvements. Many of these changes were tested in the December 1 preview update—now they’re officially rolling out to all supported devices.

Whether you’re a casual Windows user, an IT admin, or a power user running virtualization, this update brings meaningful improvements across File Explorer, Settings, gaming performance, Copilot integration, the Windows servicing stack, and more.

Here’s everything you need to know.

KB5072033 Overview (Quick Summary)

After installing the update, Windows versions move to:

• Build 26100.7462 for Windows 11 24H2
• Build 26200.7462 for Windows 11 25H2

KB5072033 includes three main categories of changes:

• Security fixes for December 2025, including PowerShell and servicing stack protections.
• Feature improvements initially tested in preview build KB5070311.
• AI component package updates for Copilot+ PCs (no functional changes on regular devices).

In Windows Update, it appears as 2025-12 Security Update (KB5072033).

What’s New in KB5072033

File Explorer: Complete Dark Mode Support

Windows’ dark mode finally feels consistent. File Explorer’s long-standing light-themed dialogs have been revamped, including:

• Copy, Move, Delete prompts
• File transfer progress windows
• Conflict dialogs (overwrite, skip, comparison)
• Error dialogs and warnings

A bug causing white “flash” effects while switching between folders or tabs has also been reduced, though Microsoft still lists this as a known issue being addressed.

Start Menu, Search, and Shell Improvements

• Search panel height now matches the new Start menu layout, eliminating awkward visual jumps.
• Not everyone will see this immediately—Microsoft is still rolling out the redesigned layouts.
• Taskbar app groups now animate more smoothly, making hover previews easier to track.
• OneDrive gets a refreshed icon and improved visibility inside Settings.
• Widgets now support:
  • A default dashboard selector
  • Numeric alert badges, which auto-clear when you switch dashboards

Advanced Settings & Virtual Workspaces

A major quality-of-life improvement is the new Advanced Settings → Virtual Workspaces section. This consolidates virtualization tools previously scattered across Control Panel and optional features.

You can now manage:

• Containers
• Guarded Host
• Virtual Machine Platform (required for WSL2)
• Windows Hypervisor Platform
• Windows Sandbox

This is especially helpful for developers, system admins, and anyone running hypervisors.

Keyboard & Accessibility Settings Modernized

Microsoft continues phasing out legacy Control Panel pages.

Now in Settings → Accessibility:

• Character repeat delay/rate
• Cursor blink rate

Functionality is identical—just easier to find for new Windows users.

File Sharing, Mobile Integrations & Copilot

Improved Windows Share “Drag Tray”

Dragging files to the top of the screen now supports:

• Multi-file sharing
• Better app suggestions
• Easy “Copy link” sharing for OneDrive files

It can be toggled under Settings → System → Nearby Sharing.

New Mobile Devices Page

A new page under Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Mobile Devices simplifies managing connected smartphones, letting you:

• Use your phone as a wireless camera
• Access phone storage in File Explorer
• Control cross-device features without opening Phone Link

Share Windows Directly to Copilot

You can now send a window directly to Copilot from the taskbar:

1. Hover over any app icon.
2. Choose Share with Copilot.
3. Copilot Vision analyzes the window’s contents.

This mimics Teams-style window sharing and signals deeper system-level Copilot integration.

Gaming and Display Enhancements

Full Screen Experience (FSE) Expands to More Handheld PCs

Originally limited to the ASUS ROG Ally, Windows’ console-like interface for handheld gaming devices now works on additional models.

Features include:

• Dedicated Xbox-style home UI
• Hidden desktop elements
• Reduced background processes
• Support via Settings → Gaming → Full screen experience

On laptops/desktops, the rollout continues into 2026.

Graphics & Monitor Fixes

KB5072033 includes several display improvements:

• Reduced stutter when apps query full monitor mode lists on high-refresh displays
• Fixes for brightness settings not persisting
• Fixes for GPUs incorrectly listed as unsupported
• Improved stability for AMD Radeon setups experiencing TDR (“GPU hung/removed”) errors

Input & Hardware Tweaks

• Haptic pens now provide tactile feedback when hovering over UI elements.
• Keyboard backlight control is more consistent and power-efficient.
• Fixes for keyboards not restoring lighting after wake or reboot.

Security Improvements & Servicing Stack Update

New PowerShell 5.1 Security Prompt

Running Invoke-WebRequest now triggers a confirmation warning for scripts fetched online.
This mitigates CVE-2025-54100 and helps prevent accidental execution of malicious web content.

Servicing Stack Update (SSU) KB5071142

The servicing stack—used to install updates—has been upgraded to version 26100.7295.

It’s bundled with the cumulative update and cannot be uninstalled separately.

AI Component Packages

AI frameworks such as:

• Image Search
• Content Extraction
• Semantic Analysis
• Settings Model

have been updated to version 1.2511.1224.0.

These only activate on Copilot+ PCs with supported NPU hardware.

Their inclusion explains the large update file sizes (~4.2 GB for x64 builds).

Known Issue: Missing Password Icon on Lock Screen

The password sign-in icon may be invisible, though the clickable area still works.
This mainly affects enterprise environments.

IT Admin Mitigation (KIR Policy)

Admins can deploy Microsoft’s Known Issue Rollback MSI:

1. Install the KB5072033 KIR MSI from Microsoft.
2. Find the new Administrative Template in Group Policy.
3. Enable the rollback setting.
4. Apply via gpupdate /force and restart machines.

A permanent fix is coming in a future patch.

How to Install KB5072033

Install via Windows Update (Recommended)

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update → Check for updates.
3. Install 2025-12 Security Update (KB5072033).
4. Restart when prompted.

Manual Install via Microsoft Update Catalog

For offline or controlled systems:

1. Search “KB5072033” on the Microsoft Update Catalog.
2. Download the correct MSU package (x64, ARM64, or Server 24H2).
3. Install using:
   • Double-clicking the MSU
   • DISM
   • PowerShell

DISM example:

DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\Packages\Windows11.0-KB5072033-x64.msu

PowerShell example:

Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "C:\Packages\Windows11.0-KB5072033-x64.msu"

Some setups require installing KB5043080 first, then KB5072033.

Uninstalling KB5072033

The SSU portion is permanent, but you can remove the LCU via DISM:

1. Run: DISM /Online /Get-Packages
2. Locate the KB5072033 LCU package name.
3. Remove with: DISM /Online /Remove-Package /PackageName:PACKAGENAME

Conclusion

KB5072033 closes out 2025 with a strong mix of security hardening, UI improvements, gaming upgrades, and smarter system integrations. While not a major feature release, it offers noticeable quality-of-life improvements across File Explorer, search, virtualization, and graphics—especially for gamers and power users.

For most users, installing this Patch Tuesday update is an easy recommendation. Optional preview updates will resume in January 2026, but KB5072033 will be the supported baseline throughout the holidays.