Windows 11 KB5070311 25H2 upgrades dark mode, direct download links for .msu (offline installer)

Windows 11 KB5070311 is now rolling out for 25H2/24H2 after a slight delay. This release introduces dark mode for File Explorer dialogs, such as the ‘delete’ confirmation, and matches Search UI height with the Start menu. Microsoft has also posted direct download links for the KB5070311 offline installer (.msu) for x64 and Arm64.

KB5070311 is an optional update. It’ll not download or install automatically unless you turn on the toggle that says “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re possible…” on the Windows Update page. This update is titled “2025-11 Preview Update (KB5070311) (26200.7309).”

If you’re on version 25H2, the update brings Windows 11 Build 26200.7309. On version 24H2, it’ll bump the OS to Build 26100.7309. While the build numbers are different, the two are the same version of Windows.

Download Links for Windows 11 KB5070311

Windows 11 KB5070311 Direct Download Links: 64-bit and ARM-64 | Once you’re on the Update Catalog, you need to identify the OS version, and select the ‘Download’ button, which opens a pop-up window. In the window, click the URL to download and save an .msu package.

This optional update is as big as the previous releases. If you’re on x64-based hardware like Intel or AMD, it’s going to be a 4.2GB download, and 3.9GB on Arm64, such as the Snapdragon X.

In our tests, Windows 11 Build 26200.7309 takes about 20 minutes to finish downloading and installing. Only a single reboot is required to complete the installation. Personally, I’ve not run into issues after the update, but we’re testing it across our 100+ virtual machines, and we’ll have the result soon.

What’s new in Windows 11 Build 26200.7309 (25H2) / Build 26100.7309 (24H2)?

1. Dark mode finally expands to legacy dialogs

Windows has had a dark mode for about a decade now, but it’s far from perfect. In fact, you’ll always run into a light-themed dialog even if you’re using dark theme in Settings > Personalisation. This changes with Windows 11 KB5070311, which applies dark theme to all operation-related dialogs.

For example, if I now open the Windows drive, and try to delete Program Files, you can see how the ‘Delete folder’ dialog that asks “Are you sure you want to permanently delete this folder’ now uses dark mode. If you have not installed the update yet, open File Explorer and try doing the same thing. You’ll see light dialog.

In Windows 11 Build 26200.7309, if I try to copy and move all my app data from one location to another, Windows triggers the progress bar, and now it uses dark theme.

As you can see in the screenshot above, the progress bar also uses a shade of blue (not the OS accent colour) for the chart in dark mode.

Next, I tried to delete a large file, and the ‘Delete file’ confirmation shows up with dark mode. I get the same dark-themed dialog when I try to purge multiple files. And yes, there’s also dark mode support for the ‘File In Use‘ dialog.

Microsoft told Windows Latest that this update is part of the larger plan to make dark mode more consistent in Windows 11, but the company had nothing to share when I asked about the Properties tab and other legacy areas.

However, Windows Latest understands that the dark-themed Properties tab is already being tested.

For those unaware, we already have a dark-themed Windows Run, but it’s not included in today’s update:

The context menu has now been simplified

Microsoft says options like Share, Copy and Move now appear in a single menu, so the menu feels less cluttered.

However, it’s rolling out to select PCs only, as Microsoft is hoping to get early feedback before wider rollout.

In addition to dark mode and context menu improvements, Windows 11 KB5070311 fixed an issue where explorer.exe crashes when you receive a new notification. If explorer.exe crashes, the taskbar or Start menu would disappear. I’ve personally experienced the issue on one of my PCs, but if you restart the Explorer process, you’ll be fine.

Here’s a list of other File Explorer fixes:

• A bug has been fixed where File Explorer could not show thumbnails for videos.
• A bug has been fixed where the toolbar shows up in File Explorer when it’s not enabled.
• If you’re viewing a specific file format that a particular app supports, and you right-click, a bug blocks the appropriate app icon from showing inside ‘Open.’ This has now been fixed.

2. Windows Search height now matches the Start menu

Windows Search UI has always been smaller than the Start menu. While that does not limit the functionality, the difference has always felt odd, especially when you switch to the Search UI from the Start menu. On my PC, Windows Search is approximately 70% shorter than the Start menu.

Thankfully, Windows 11 KB5070311 finally updates the Search UI to match the height of the Start menu. This means the Search UI is now taller.

While it’s a welcome change, the new Start menu still feels larger, and you can’t manually resize it, as you could do on Windows 10. For now, you need to change your screen resolution or scaling settings if the Start menu feels huge or covers more than 80% of the screen height. These settings also update the Search UI size.

3. Advanced Settings now lets you manage Windows Sandbox and more

Microsoft previously renamed the “For Developers” page to “Advanced Settings,” and Windows 11 KB5070311 is now adding a new “Virtual Workspaces” page.

You can open Settings > System > Advanced Settings > Virtual Workspaces and turn on or off features like “Hyper V.” Up until now, these features were exposed via the Control Panel-managed Optional features dialogue, but now they’re being incorporated into the Settings.

For example, you’ll be able to enable a feature called ‘Containers,” which is for admins, but it basically allows you to create and manage Windows Server Containers and their resources. Likewise, you can now turn on Windows Sandbox. This was previously buried under the Control Panel’s optional features dialogue.

Here’s a list of features that can now be managed from the Advanced Settings page:

• Containers, Guarded Host (Shielded Virtual Machines) and Virtual Machine Platform.
• Windows Hypervisor platform.
• Windows Sandbox (this lets you run apps or other stuff in an isolated environment).
• Hyper V settings like GUI management tools, PowerShell module, Hypervisor, and Hyper-V Settings.

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