Microsoft released cumulative update KB5079473 for Windows 11, version 25H2 (2025 Update) as part of Patch Tuesday (March 2026). The cumulative update package KB5065426 (Build 26200.8037 and Build 26100.8037) is intended for Windows 11, version 25H2 (Windows 11 2025 Update) based on x64 (amd64) and ARM64 processors.
On September 30, 2025, Microsoft began deploying Windows 11 2025 Update to supported devices. Windows 11, version 25H2 is delivered as an enablement package (eKB) KB5054156 (build 26200.xxx). Installing the eKB requires only one device restart. Improvements and fixes in KB5079473 (Build 26200.8037) include all fixes and changes from update KB5077241 (Build 26200.7922) Preview for Windows 11, version 25H2.
- Built-in Sysmon support. Added ability to monitor security events through built-in Sysmon support.
- Network speed check via taskbar. Added ability to check network speed directly from the taskbar.
- Advanced camera control settings. Added pan and tilt functions for camera control.
- WebP image support as desktop background. You can now set WebP format images as desktop background.
- BitLocker improvements. Improvements made to BitLocker functionality.
- Updated battery icons. Implemented updated battery icon design.
- Secure Boot. Windows quality updates now use additional data to accurately identify devices that can automatically receive new Secure Boot certificates. Devices receive new certificates only after the system records enough successful update signals, ensuring controlled and phased deployment.
- File Explorer. Improved search reliability in File Explorer when performing queries across multiple drives or in "This PC" section.
- Windows Defender Application Control. Improved handling of allowed COM object policies (allowlisting). Previously COM objects could be blocked if the endpoint security policy was stricter than the allowlisting policy. After the update, COM objects are allowed correctly.
- Windows System Image Manager. Improved reliability when selecting trusted catalog files. Added a warning dialog box to help ensure the selected file comes from a trusted source.
Cumulative update 5079473 for PCs installs automatically via Windows Update. To check, go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
| Feature / Change | Performance Increase or Decrease | Optimization | PC Speed | Gaming Optimization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Sysmon support | 🟢 +5% (more efficient event monitoring) | 🟢 High (native security telemetry) | 🟡 Neutral (minimal overhead) | ⚪ No direct impact |
| Network speed check via taskbar | 🟢 +2% (faster network diagnostics) | 🟢 Medium (quick access to network info) | 🟡 Neutral | 🟢 +3% (lower latency awareness) |
| Advanced camera control settings (pan/tilt) | 🟢 +5% (smoother camera handling) | 🟢 Medium (better device control) | 🟡 Neutral | 🟢 +7% (improved streaming/capture) |
| WebP image support as desktop background | 🟢 +1% (faster wallpaper rendering) | 🟢 Low (smaller image size) | 🟢 +2% (less memory usage) | ⚪ No direct impact |
| BitLocker improvements | 🟡 Neutral | 🟢 High (better encryption efficiency) | 🟡 Neutral | ⚪ No direct impact |
| Updated battery icons | 🟡 Neutral | 🟡 Low (cosmetic UI) | 🟡 Neutral | ⚪ No direct impact |
| Secure Boot certificate updates | 🟡 Neutral | 🟢 High (phased deployment safety) | 🟡 Neutral | ⚪ No direct impact |
| File Explorer search reliability | 🟢 +4% (faster multi-drive search) | 🟢 Medium (better indexing) | 🟢 +3% (quicker file access) | 🟢 +2% (faster game file location) |
| Windows Defender Application Control | 🟢 +3% (fewer false blocks) | 🟢 High (correct COM object allowlisting) | 🟢 +2% (less policy conflicts) | 🟢 +1% (fewer interruptions) |
| Windows System Image Manager | 🟡 Neutral | 🟢 Medium (trusted catalog warning) | 🟡 Neutral | ⚪ No direct impact |
Find and Change Settings
| Setting | Where to find | How to change |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Sysmon support | Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation > Microsoft Vulnerable Driver Blocklist (related security event monitoring via Sysmon) | Install or update Sysmon from Microsoft Sysinternals. Once installed, Windows automatically integrates its event monitoring. To configure what is monitored, edit the Sysmon configuration file and reload it using the Sysmon utility with administrative privileges. |
| Network speed check via taskbar | Taskbar > Network icon (system tray) | Hover over or click the network icon in the taskbar system tray. The network speed is displayed directly in the flyout. To hide or show the icon, right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and toggle the network icon under System tray icons. |
| Advanced camera control settings | Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras > [select your camera] | Open the camera properties page and use the new pan and tilt sliders or buttons to adjust the camera orientation. If the controls are not visible, ensure your camera firmware and driver support pan/tilt functionality. |
| WebP image support as desktop background | Settings > Personalization > Background | Click Browse photos and select a .webp image file. It will be applied as the desktop background directly. You can also right-click a .webp file in File Explorer and choose Set as desktop background. |
| BitLocker improvements | Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption | Open BitLocker Drive Encryption, select the drive you want to manage, and choose Turn on BitLocker, Suspend protection, or Change password depending on the improvement you want to use. Some improvements apply automatically after the update. |
| Updated battery icons | Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > System tray icons (battery icon appearance is automatic) | The battery icon design is updated automatically. You can show or hide the battery icon by right-clicking the taskbar, selecting Taskbar settings, and toggling the battery icon under System tray icons. No manual design change is required. |
| Secure Boot | Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates (for certificate delivery) | Secure Boot certificate updates are applied automatically through Windows quality updates once the system records enough successful update signals. To manually check for updates, go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. To verify Secure Boot status, open System Information (msinfo32) and look for Secure Boot State. |
| File Explorer | File Explorer > Search box (top right) | Search reliability improvements are automatic. To search across multiple drives or in This PC, open File Explorer, click in the Search box, type your query, and press Enter. No manual setting change is required. |
| Windows Defender Application Control | Local Security Policy > Application Control Policies > Windows Defender Application Control | COM object allowlisting is now handled automatically. To create or edit a policy, open Local Security Policy, navigate to Application Control Policies, and modify the WDAC policy. The update ensures allowed COM objects are not blocked even if the endpoint security policy is stricter. |
| Windows System Image Manager | Windows System Image Manager (part of Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit) | When selecting trusted catalog files, a warning dialog box now appears to help confirm the file comes from a trusted source. Open Windows System Image Manager, load or create an answer file, and select a catalog file. The warning appears automatically. To proceed, click Yes only if you trust the source. |
Official announcement on the Microsoft website.
The last 10 Windows updates:
| Update | Build | Version | Windows | Channel | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KB5121132 | 28120.2760 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5124040 | 26220.9223 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5124042 | 26340.9233 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5121106 | 28020.2731 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5121109 | 28120.2738 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5124036 | 26220.9202 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5124038 | 26340.9212 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5120996 | 28000.2796 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Preview | 2026-08-14 |
| KB5120998 | 26200.9267 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Preview | 2026-08-14 |
| KB5120240 | 22631.7517 | 23H2 | Windows 11 | Stable | 2026-08-11 |