Windows 11 24H2 KB5064093: Lock Screen Battery %, Spotify Resume, Window-Mode Recording

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Insider Beta update, KB5064093 (build 26120.5761), quietly delivers a deceptively impactful set of quality-of-life upgrades: a redesigned battery indicator with a clear percentage on the lock screen, a first taste of cross-device app resume starting with Spotify, and a new window-mode screen recording option in Snipping Tool—all rolling out gradually as part of the 24H2 track.

Background​

Windows 11’s Insider rings have long doubled as Microsoft’s proving grounds for small, highly visible refinements that punch above their weight. On August 22, 2025, KB5064093 landed in the Beta Channel with build 26120.5761, extending a pattern we’ve seen throughout the 24H2 cycle: polish the look-and-feel, streamline continuity between devices, and iterate on bundled utilities without disrupting stability.
Two implementation details are worth keeping in mind:

• Many items are controlled by server-side feature flags. You might be on the same build as someone else but see different features until the rollout reaches your device.
• Some features require turning on a “get the latest updates as they are available” toggle in Windows Update. If you don’t see a new option described below, check that setting first.

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What’s new and why it matters​

A clearer battery story on the lock screen​

The lock screen now features a redesigned battery icon that’s easier to parse at a glance, plus a numeric percentage readout. It sounds simple—and it is—but it eliminates a long-standing friction point for mobile Windows users: the need to unlock or dig into overlays just to know how much charge remains.

• The new iconography is designed for quick recognition and lower ambiguity across themes.
• The percentage readout sits on the lock screen itself, so there’s no “hover to reveal” behavior to remember.
• The update emphasizes consistency across system surfaces—what you see on the taskbar and in Settings should match what you see on the lock screen.

For laptop, 2‑in‑1, and tablet users, this turns the lock screen into a legitimate status hub. If you’re about to head to a meeting, you’ll have the answer you need without waking the device. It’s a genuinely useful tweak, and it reinforces Windows 11’s broader design trajectory: reducing cognitive overhead by making common states more obvious.

Accessibility and glanceability​

Visibility upgrades like this help more than convenience seekers. For users with low vision or anyone who relies on quick visual cues, clearer iconography plus a numeric percentage reduces misreads, especially in variable lighting or on devices with different pixel densities. By treating the lock screen as a first-class dashboard, Microsoft tightens the loop between “what state is my device in?” and “what do I do next?”

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Cross-device app resume starts rolling out (initially with Spotify)​

KB5064093 also begins a gradual rollout of a new continuity capability: the ability to resume certain Android app tasks on your Windows PC. The first supported scenario targets Spotify. Start listening on your Android phone, and Windows can surface a “Resume” alert on your PC’s taskbar; click it, and playback continues in the Spotify desktop app at the same point.
Key points:

• It’s an Insider-only preview and rolling out gradually in the Beta Channel (and in parallel in the Dev Channel).
• The feature requires that your PC is allowed to access your mobile devices and that your Android phone is linked via the Link to Windows app.
• If Spotify isn’t installed on the PC, the alert can kick off a one‑click install from the Microsoft Store, then pick up exactly where you left off.
• You must be signed into the same Spotify account on both devices.

This is the clearest sign yet of Microsoft’s renewed push to remove boundaries between phone and PC—an area where Windows has historically been less cohesive than competing ecosystems. While the first iteration is focused on media playback, the underlying platform (a “Resume” capability with a developer-facing API) suggests a broader vision: email, messaging, maps, notes, or other apps could eventually support seamless handoffs.

Why this matters for Windows users​

• Less context switching: Instead of hunting for the app and the right state on Windows, a single click pulls you forward from the exact moment you paused on your phone.
• Better out-of-box flow: The automatic prompt to install the corresponding desktop app means even new PCs can keep continuity without manual search-and-install.
• A platform signal: Microsoft is telling developers that cross-device continuity is a priority. If third-party apps adopt the API, Windows can finally offer consistent handoffs, not just limited partner integrations.

Early limitations and expectations​

Right now, the experience is intentionally narrow (Spotify) to validate the plumbing. It also depends on background permissions on Android and on your PC’s “mobile devices” access setting. Expect uneven availability while feature flags roll out and telemetry gates are tuned. That’s normal for Beta Channel features, but it’s worth calling out so power users don’t waste time chasing switches that aren’t lit up yet.

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Snipping Tool gains window-mode screen recording​

Snipping Tool’s screen recorder adds a new “window mode” option. Instead of dragging a region, you can pick a specific app window and the recorder will snap to its bounds automatically. Once the recording starts, the capture region is fixed—if the app moves or gets covered by another window, the recording won’t follow it—and that’s by design.
What this unlocks:

• Faster, cleaner captures for tutorials and bug reports. No more manual cropping to remove background clutter.
• Repeatable framing. Because the region snaps tightly to a window, recordings are consistent between takes.
• Simpler setup for short-form demos. Window selection trims setup time for quick shareable clips.

Snipping Tool’s update is arriving alongside the OS build, but as an app update it may reach some Insiders in the Release Preview Channel as well. If you don’t see window-mode recording, check the app version in the Microsoft Store and update Snipping Tool to the latest Insider build.

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Other notable improvements in KB5064093​

While the battery icon, cross-device resume, and Snipping Tool enhancements headline this Beta flight, several smaller changes refine daily workflows:

• New keyboard shortcuts for dashes
  Windows gains native shortcuts to insert typographic dashes:
• WIN + Minus (-) inserts an en dash (–).
• WIN + Shift + Minus (-) inserts an em dash (—).
  Note: If Magnifier is running, WIN + Minus still controls zoom out rather than inserting an en dash.
• Windows Share improvements
  You can pin favorite apps in the Windows Share window, reducing clicks when sharing content frequently to the same targets.
• Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) tweaks on Copilot+ PCs
  Controls are simplified and more discoverable, including streamlined configuration paths from toast notifications on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ hardware.
• Click to Do enhancements on Copilot+ PCs
  A new touch invocation (press-and-hold with two fingers) provides an accelerant into the Click to Do experience—useful for pen or tablet-first workflows where keyboard shortcuts aren’t ideal.
• Settings and reliability fixes
  Faster loading on Apps > Installed apps, and a crash fix for the “Copy current user settings to the welcome screen and system accounts” option. There are also improvements to Windows Hello behavior in some scenarios and performance gains when gaming with overlays—especially on multi-monitor setups with mixed refresh rates.

Together, these changes illustrate Microsoft’s iterative cadence: compound small UX wins, keep polishing the OS surface, and minimize regressions via staggered rollouts.

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How to get KB5064093 and see the changes​

• Open Settings > Windows Update.
• Make sure you’re enrolled in the Beta Channel under Windows Insider Program.
• Toggle on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” to increase your chances of receiving gradually rolled-out features sooner.
• Apply the cumulative update KB5064093 to move to build 26120.5761.
• Reboot and verify your build: Settings > System > About.

If features don’t appear immediately, give the system a few days. Server-side enablement and staged app updates mean some experiences arrive on a delay even after the OS is fully updated.

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How to enable and test cross-device app resume (Spotify)​

The new continuity experience rides on your PC’s ability to talk to your Android phone and identify eligible activities.

• On your PC:
• Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices.
• Turn on “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices.”
• Click “Manage devices” and follow the prompts to link your Android phone.
• On your Android phone:
• Open the Link to Windows app and sign in with the same Microsoft account as your PC.
• Allow the app to run in the background so resume alerts stay reliable.
• Try it out:
• Start playing a song or podcast in the Spotify app on your phone.
• Look for a Resume alert on your Windows taskbar.
• Click the alert; Spotify on desktop should open and continue playback at the same point. If it’s not installed, Windows will offer a one‑click install first.

Tip: This feature is rolling out in waves. If you’ve completed setup and still don’t see alerts after a few days, you’re likely not in the current rollout cohort yet.

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How to use window-mode screen recording in Snipping Tool​

• Launch Snipping Tool and switch to the Record tab.
• Open the Recording area dropdown and choose Window.
• Select the app window you want to capture; Snipping Tool will snap to its borders automatically.
• Start recording. Remember: the recorded region is fixed to the chosen window’s initial position.
• When finished, stop the recording and save or share your clip.

This mode is ideal for documenting bugs, producing short tutorials, or capturing clean app-only footage without showing your desktop or notifications.

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Strengths, risks, and what IT should watch​

Strengths​

• High-impact, low-friction upgrades
  The battery readout on the lock screen is a minimal UI change with daily utility. Cross-device resume reduces user effort for common tasks. Window-mode recording shrinks the time from “I need to show this” to “I can share this.”
• Clearer design direction
  Windows 11’s UI polish continues to creep into more surfaces, prioritizing glanceable states and consistent iconography. The lock screen upgrade demonstrates Microsoft’s willingness to iterate on fundamentals rather than only marquee features.
• Thoughtful app integration
  The resume experience triggers a one‑click install when the desktop app isn’t present. This reduces dead ends and aligns with how users expect ecosystems to behave.
• Granular, safer rollouts
  By gating features behind toggles and feature flags, Microsoft reduces the blast radius of regressions. It’s an industry-standard approach that favors reliability—especially important on the Beta Channel, which many enthusiasts use on their daily drivers.

Potential risks and trade-offs​

• Feature fragmentation during rollout
  Two Insiders on the same build can have different experiences for days or weeks. That’s confusing for support desks and power users who share tips. Expect to field “why don’t I have this?” questions until the rollout completes.
• Privacy and policy considerations
  Cross-device resume requires background communication between your phone and PC. In managed environments, administrators should evaluate whether to allow Link to Windows, and whether resume alerts align with data-handling policies. Consider documenting approved use cases and ensuring MDM policies are in sync.
• Expectation gap for continuity
  Because the first iteration focuses on Spotify, some users will assume broader app support exists today and be disappointed. Messaging the “preview” nature of the feature is crucial to avoid eroding trust.
• Recording scope misunderstandings
  Window-mode screen recording fixes the capture area to the original window. That’s a feature, not a bug, but users might expect the recording region to follow a moved window. Training or an in-app tooltip could prevent confusion.
• Known issues elsewhere in the build
  The Beta notes list a handful of ongoing quirks: Recall hiccups in specific regions, File Explorer’s Shared section sometimes appearing empty, Settings’ Temporary files scan getting stuck, and a Bluetooth bug that can cause a crash with certain Xbox controllers. None are universal, but they’re worth scanning before you install on mission-critical hardware.

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Practical guidance for different users​

For laptop and tablet owners​

• Treat the lock screen as your battery glance view. If you’re hopping into meetings, you can gauge whether to grab a charger without signing in.
• If you use Spotify on Android, set up Link to Windows and keep background permissions on. The resume alert reduces hunting for the desktop app and gets playback going in a click.

For creators and support teams​

• Window-mode recording in Snipping Tool makes clean app captures trivial. Use it for:
• Step-by-step tutorials without distracting wallpaper or notifications.
• Repro videos for bug reports that focus on a single window’s UI.
• Product demos where consistency across takes matters.

For IT admins and help desks​

• Plan communications around staggered feature visibility. If your organization allows Beta builds, consider a brief “what’s new” note that also explains gradual rollouts and how to enable Mobile devices access safely.
• Audit Link to Windows policy settings in your MDM. Decide whether to allow cross-device resume in your environment and document exceptions (e.g., media apps allowed; messaging apps restricted).
• Confirm Snipping Tool’s version via the Microsoft Store on your gold images if you rely on built-in screen recording for support workflows.

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How this aligns with Windows 11’s long game​

Windows 11 24H2 has been about composable improvements: refining built-in tools, streamlining frequent tasks, and bringing consistency to surfaces that users touch every day. KB5064093 fits squarely into that strategy.

• The lock screen becomes a more useful dashboard for battery status, not just a gateway into the session.
• Continuity takes a tangible step forward. The early focus on Spotify isn’t the destination—it’s a proving ground. By shipping the pipeline and developer hooks, Microsoft can scale to more apps over time.
• First-party utilities like Snipping Tool continue to evolve in ways that reduce reliance on third-party tools for basic workflows. That’s powerful for security-conscious environments where every additional install adds risk and maintenance.

It’s also notable that many of these capabilities are landing alongside Copilot+‑adjacent work, such as simplified Auto SR controls and touch-friendly invocations for new assistants. Even if you don’t have a Copilot+ PC, you’re seeing the downstream benefits: faster UI, clearer affordances, and utilities that better respect how people actually work.

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Troubleshooting and tips​

• Not seeing the new battery indicator on the lock screen?
• Verify you’re on build 26120.5761 or greater.
• Confirm the “get the latest updates as they are available” toggle is on.
• Give it a few days—feature flags roll out gradually.
• Resume alert not appearing for Spotify?
• Make sure Link to Windows is installed and allowed to run in the background on your phone.
• Ensure your PC is allowed to access mobile devices (Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices).
• Confirm you’re signed into the same Spotify account on phone and PC.
• Snipping Tool doesn’t show window-mode recording?
• Update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store to the latest Insider version.
• Close and relaunch the app after updating.
• Experiencing controller-related crashes via Bluetooth?
• Check device manager for the Xbox game controller driver and follow the published workaround to remove the offending driver version until a fix lands.

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The bottom line​

KB5064093 is a case study in how small, well-chosen changes can make Windows feel faster without adding raw performance. A lock screen battery percentage reduces daily friction. Cross-device resume nudges Windows closer to the seamless continuity users expect from modern ecosystems. And Snipping Tool’s window-mode recording turns a common chore into a two-click task.
Nothing here is flashy. Yet for people who live in Windows every day, these are the kinds of fit-and-finish updates that add up. As the rollout widens and developers start tapping into the resume API, the value should compound quickly. Until then, Beta Channel Insiders on build 26120.5761 can look forward to a cleaner lock screen, smarter handoffs, and a more capable built-in recorder—three practical wins that make Windows 11 sharper where it counts.

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Source: Windows Report KB5064093 Update In Beta Channel Adds New Battery Icon for Windows 11 Lock Screen