When Windows 11 first launched, the taskbar wasn't exactly everyone's favourite upgrade. Over time, Microsoft has slowly patched its shortcomings, and the latest update introduces one of the most practical visual tweaks yet: a colour-coded battery icon that actually tells you what's happening at a glance.

Alongside this, Microsoft is also bringing back a highly requested feature — the battery percentage on the taskbar. Both changes are now rolling out to users.

What's New: A Battery Icon That Changes Colour

For years, the Windows battery indicator has been a simple white outline. Functional, yes — but not very informative.

The new design finally fixes that. With this update, the taskbar battery icon becomes visually meaningful:

It's a small touch, but it dramatically improves usability. Instead of clicking around menus, you can understand your laptop's state in a split second.

This upgrade is available in Windows 11 Build 26200.7019 / 26100.7019 (KB5067036)—an optional update for now, but it will automatically roll out to everyone on November 11 Patch Tuesday.

Hands-On Experience: The Icon Finally "Speaks"

Testing the new battery indicator shows how much more intuitive it is compared to the old design. When plugged in, the icon glows green with a bold lightning symbol. Switch on Energy Saver (previously called Battery Saver), and the icon shifts to orange, signalling that your device is intentionally conserving power.

Previously, Windows used a small leaf symbol to indicate battery saver mode. It was subtle to the point of being easy to miss. The new orange colour is far more noticeable, and it better reflects modern power management — where the goal is not just battery life, but also energy efficiency.

When your battery dips below 6%, the icon turns bright red, giving you a clear visual warning. It's impossible to overlook — which is exactly the point.

Smart Charging Gets a Subtle, Updated Look

Smart Charging, which pauses charging at 80% to protect battery health, also has a refined experience. Instead of the old heart icon next to the lightning bolt, Microsoft now uses a plug icon once the battery hits 80%.

Here's how it behaves:

It's cleaner, simpler, and more in line with Windows 11's design language.

Why the Battery Icon Looks Bigger

If you've noticed that the battery icon now consumes more horizontal space on the taskbar — that's intentional.

Microsoft's design team says the icon needed more room so users could:

By shifting the visual overlays from the top-left corner to the center of the battery shape, the icon becomes more readable.

Not everyone will like the extra width, but the design change serves a functional purpose.

Battery Percentage Returns — Better Than Before

A new toggle under System > Power & battery now enables the battery percentage directly on the taskbar. Turning it on adds a clear numeric indicator next to the icon, giving you an exact reading at all times.

It takes up slightly more space, but it's a worthwhile trade-off for clarity — especially for laptop users who need to monitor battery closely throughout the day.

When Will You Get the Update?

The new colourful battery icon and percentage display are rolling out gradually. You can get them today by installing the optional build, but if you prefer to wait, the features will be included in the November 11, 2025 cumulative update.

Either way, it's a welcome improvement that finally makes the battery indicator both attractive and genuinely useful.