How do I enable the new dark mode and fix file explorer flashes in Windows 11 25H2?

Is the Windows 11 December 2025 update safe to install for gaming handhelds and Copilot+ PCs?

The Windows 11 December 2025 Update (KB5072033) marks the final cumulative release of the year. It consolidates previous improvements into a single package for versions 25H2 and 24H2. This update focuses on interface consistency, gaming optimization, and the continued migration of legacy tools to the modern Settings app.

For system administrators and power users, this patch addresses critical stability concerns, including the “Unsupported graphics card” error in gaming and specific Hyper-V networking failures.

Visual Interface and File Explorer Refinements

Microsoft has finalized the transition to a unified dark mode within File Explorer. Previous iterations left specific dialog boxes and progress bars in legacy light themes, creating a jarring visual experience. This update resolves those inconsistencies.

Dark Mode Consistency

Operations such as copying, moving, renaming, and deleting files now render dialogue boxes that match your system theme. Progress bars utilize a refined blue hue for better visibility against dark backgrounds.

White Flash Resolution

A significant quality-of-life fix addresses a screen rendering issue where File Explorer would flash white when launching or opening new tabs. This resolves the graphical glitch introduced in the optional KB5070311 update.

Context Menu Optimization

The right-click context menu now groups related actions (Copy, Move, Share) with tighter spacing. This layout reduces mouse travel distance and improves navigation speed.

Thumbnail Logic

The update corrects metadata parsing errors that prevented video thumbnails from generating correctly based on EXIF data.

System Configuration and Legacy Migration

The operating system continues to move critical controls away from the legacy Control Panel. This shift centralizes administration within the modern Settings interface.

New Settings Locations:

Peripherals

Keyboard repeat rates and cursor blink settings now reside in the Accessibility section.

Mobile Management

A dedicated “Mobile Devices” page (Settings > Bluetooth & devices) now manages phone linking. It replaces scattered menus, allowing for streamlined permission management and file access from connected smartphones.

Virtual Workspaces

Administrators can now toggle Windows Sandbox and Hyper-V directly through Settings > System > Advanced. This removes the need to navigate the legacy “Turn Windows features on or off” dialogue.

Gaming Performance and Handheld Optimization

This update delivers targeted improvements for the growing market of Windows-based handheld gaming devices.

Expanded Full Screen Experience (FSE)

Previously limited to specific hardware like the ASUS ROG Ally, FSE support now extends to a broader range of Windows handhelds. When enabled via Settings > Gaming, the Xbox app acts as a primary dashboard. The system prioritizes foreground gaming processes by terminating non-essential background tasks to free up memory.

False Positive GPU Errors

The update patches a detection logic error that caused certain titles to display “Unsupported graphics card detected” warnings on compatible AMD and NVIDIA hardware.

High-Resolution Display Latency

Systems connected to 4K and ultrawide monitors will experience reduced micro-stuttering. The operating system now processes display mode queries more efficiently, smoothing transitions between full-screen and borderless windowed modes.

Copilot+ PC Exclusive Features

Users with Copilot+ compatible hardware receive specialized AI-driven enhancements centered on workflow automation.

Taskbar Integration

Hovering over an active app on the taskbar now presents a “Share with Copilot” option. This function pushes the application window to Copilot Vision for context-aware analysis, functioning similarly to screen sharing in communication apps.

Click to Do Context Menu

When the system detects large data sets, such as tables or high-res images, the “Click to Do” menu appears automatically. It suggests relevant actions like “Save” or “Analyze,” reducing the steps required to process content.

Peripheral AI Support

Windows Studio Effects (background blur, eye contact) now supports external USB webcams and secondary laptop cameras, managed via Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.

Security Protocols and Stability Fixes

The December 2025 Patch Tuesday release (KB5072033) includes critical security resolutions.

Hyper-V Networking

The patch resolves a race condition where external virtual switches lost network adapter bindings after a reboot. This fix prevents virtual machines from losing connectivity or dropping into internal-only modes.

LSASS Stability

The update corrects an access violation error within the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) that previously led to system crashes.

SMB Search Reliability

File Explorer now accurately indexes and searches Server Message Block (SMB) network shares, restoring functionality broken in prior builds.

Update Deployment and Version Specifics

This update advances Windows 11 25H2 systems to Build 26200.7462 and 24H2 systems to Build 26100.7462.

Note on Windows 11 23H2

Users on version 23H2 receive a minor security adjustment (KB5071417) for PowerShell 5.1. The Invoke-WebRequest command now mandates user confirmation before executing requests that carry potential security risks.

Installation Procedure

The rollout occurs gradually. To prioritize the installation:

1. Navigate to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Toggle “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” to On.
3. Select Check for updates and install KB5072033.