KB5077231

Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5077231 for Windows 11, version 25H2 for insiders on the Beta channel – Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26220.7872). Beta channel users will now receive Windows 11, version 25H2 updates, which are available via the enablement package KB5066383 (build 26220.xxx).

• Context menu. When right-clicking on .exe, .bat, or .cmd files, the "Open" item in the context menu now displays an icon corresponding to the default application for that file type. This makes the interface more logical and visually consistent.
• Settings – Device Information Card. The card on the main page of the Settings app, first introduced in June 2025, has been refined based on user feedback. The update simplifies the display of key device characteristics and improves the consistency of navigation from the main page to Settings > System > About. Information is now clearer and easier to perceive. This feature is currently rolling out to program participants in the US. For corporate devices managed by IT administrators, a separate version of the card continues to be used.
• Settings – About System section. In Settings > System > About, key hardware specifications are once again placed at the top of the page. Additional information, including graphics and storage data, is combined into a single block with convenient copy support. The FAQ section is temporarily hidden – Microsoft continues to work on the optimal format for contextual help.
• Taskbar and system tray. Animations when hovering over application groups on the taskbar have been improved. Interaction is now smoother and visually cleaner.

Installation is done through Windows Update: go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A computer restart is required to complete the installation.

The Windows Insider Program Beta channel is intended for testing features and improvements that are closer to the final release and are based on Windows 11 version 25H2. Many features in the Beta channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology: they first become available to a limited number of insiders, after which their distribution gradually expands as feedback and stability are analyzed.

Features and capabilities included in Beta channel builds may change during testing, be removed, or never make it to the final release. Microsoft uses this channel to test near-final concepts and gather feedback. Some of these features may appear in future versions of Windows when fully completed.

Also, some features under active development may be temporarily unavailable or not fully localized in all languages. Localization will be refined as development progresses. If you notice translation issues, report them through the Feedback Hub.

How the new features work:

Open for .exe, .bat, .cmd: When right-clicking these file types, the shell queries the default app association from registry keys (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exe and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open). It extracts the associated executable's icon and dynamically overlays it onto the "Open" menu item without modifying the underlying launch command.

Settings – Device Information Card: On the main Settings page, the card aggregates device data via the SystemSettings.DataModel COM object. It queries WMI (Win32_ComputerSystem, Win32_OperatingSystem) but shows only model, RAM, and serial number. Navigation to "About" uses the ms-settings:about URI. Managed devices follow a separate Group Policy template.

Settings – About System section: The ms-settings:about page loads hardware data using GetSystemInfo and EnumDisplayDevices. Key specs (CPU, RAM) appear first via prioritized XAML markup. Graphics and storage are grouped inside a collapsible block with clipboard copy (DataPackage). The FAQ section is hidden via a feature flighting flag for temporary removal.

Taskbar and system tray animations: Hovering over taskbar app groups (Taskbar.TaskListButton) triggers composition animations via Windows.UI.Composition. Easing functions (e.g., CubicBezierEasingFunction) control smooth scaling and opacity of preview thumbnails. System tray icons use similar logic under DirectComposition for hover feedback.

The last 10 Windows updates: