Microsoft Update Breaks Dark Mode: File Explorer Now Flashes White on Launch

Microsoft has released a preview update, KB5070311, for Windows 11 version 24H2/252, available only to users who manually check for updates. The update was quickly found to cause a flaw that, when the system is in dark mode, makes launching File Explorer trigger a sudden flash of bright white. Because KB5070311 is a preview, it installs only when you click “Check for updates”; those who avoid doing so will not receive it.

According to Microsoft, after installing the update you might experience issues when opening File Explorer in dark mode, with the window briefly displaying a blank white screen before loading files and folders, and the problem may also occur during actions such as navigating Home or Gallery, creating a new tab, or changing panes. Microsoft has begun working on a fix but has not provided a timeline, and the article notes the issue was caught early with hope it will not appear in the December stable update.