Microsoft has released the July 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, bringing security fixes, bug repairs, and several major new features.
The update is listed as KB5101650 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft says it includes the latest security fixes, improvements, and non-security changes from last month’s optional preview update.
One of the biggest changes is a new calendar-style pause control in Windows Update.
Users can now choose a specific end date for pausing updates, for up to 35 days. After that, they can extend the pause again by selecting a new date, as long as the new end date is within 35 days from the current day.
This does not permanently disable Windows Update. Updates resume automatically when the pause period ends, unless the user manually extends it again.
Microsoft is also adding Point-in-Time Restore for Windows.
The feature allows users to roll back a PC to a recent automatic restore point, including apps, settings, and personal files. Microsoft says this is designed to reduce downtime and make troubleshooting easier when something goes wrong after an update or system change.
Widgets are also being changed to reduce interruptions.
Microsoft says Widgets will no longer open on hover by default. Notifications and taskbar badges are also being reduced by default, while the Widgets panel will open to the dashboard on first use.
Users can still customise the experience through the Widgets settings menu. Microsoft says the update also improves reliability, responsiveness and visual quality across Widgets.
The update adds a new Screen Tint feature under Accessibility settings.
Screen Tint applies a full-screen colour overlay that can help reduce eye strain and improve readability. Users can choose preset tint options, adjust the intensity or turn it on automatically.
Magnifier is also getting more precise controls. Users can enter an exact zoom percentage and change zoom increments directly from the Magnifier bar instead of opening Windows Settings each time.
File Explorer receives several performance and usability fixes.
Microsoft says the update improves File Explorer launch speed and responsiveness when mounting disk images. The address bar now supports paths with double backslashes and quotation marks, while the suggestion dropdown should close more reliably after selecting an item.
The update also fixes duplicated OneDrive files in Favorites and improves the rename experience, including cases where only letter casing is changed.
Bluetooth reliability is also improved.
Windows now keeps microphone mute status in sync between the audio mixer and Bluetooth Hands-Free Profile devices. Microsoft also says AirPods should appear faster in pairing mode, while Beats Studio Pro microphone reliability has been improved.
The update also improves Bluetooth audio stability, reconnection after hibernation, and LE Audio streaming after a connection is lost and restored.
For Phone Link, call audio routing has been improved. If a call is started from a paired phone, the audio stays on the phone while ringing and moves to the PC only when answered from the PC. Incoming call audio from a paired phone also no longer rings on the PC when Do Not Disturb is enabled on Windows.
Voice access and voice typing now support French, German, and Spanish.
Microsoft says Windows can improve dictated text in real time by correcting grammar, punctuation, and recognition errors. The feature is designed to work even when some background noise is present, reducing the need for manual editing. This feature is available on Copilot+ PCs.
New printer installations now use Internet Printing Protocol by default when supported. Microsoft says this should simplify setup and improve reliability. Users can control this behaviour from the Printers & scanners settings page.
The update also improves networking in virtualised environments, WSL mirrored networking with VPNs, display rendering across multiple monitors and colour profile reliability.
For PCs with more than 32GB of RAM, Microsoft says the graphics kernel memory-management policy has been improved to allow larger local AI models to run.
The July update also includes security fixes documented in Microsoft’s July 2026 security update guide.
The Verge reported that this Patch Tuesday fixed at least 570 security holes, making it one of Microsoft’s largest monthly security releases.
Microsoft also fixed several known issues, including outdated notification badge counts in apps such as Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp, a Recycle Bin confirmation bug, and a File Explorer issue involving OneDrive shortcuts when File Explorer is run in administrator mode.
Microsoft says the update may be temporarily unavailable for a limited number of Dell devices with Intel processors.
The company said Dell reported an incompatibility that could cause unexpected shutdowns, poor performance, increased heat and battery drain. Microsoft and Dell are working on a fix for affected models.
Users can install the update through Settings > Windows Update by selecting Check for updates.
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