Windows 11 July 2026 Update: Top Features and What You Need to Know

The latest Windows 11 update, KB5101650, has landed, bringing a host of new features, fixes, and enhancements. If you haven’t paused updates, you may already see the update icon on your taskbar. This update, which was released on July 14 as part of Microsoft's Patch Tuesday, addresses a staggering 570 flaws and introduces meaningful improvements to usability and reliability.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top five features, alongside other noteworthy changes and important considerations before installing the update.

#1 Widgets Board Updates: No More Auto-Opening

The Widgets board has been a source of frustration for many users due to its tendency to open unintentionally when hovered over. With KB5101650, this annoyance is resolved. The Widgets board now opens only when clicked, making it far less intrusive.

• The taskbar badge behavior has been refined, with notification counts minimized and badge colors now matching your Windows accent color instead of red.
• First-time users are directed to the Widgets dashboard rather than the MSN feed, with the lock screen now showing only a Weather widget for new users.
• Dashboard icons now display a small badge for unread alerts, which clears automatically when the dashboard is exited.

These changes make Widgets more functional and less disruptive, while customization options remain available in the settings menu.

#2 Windows Update Gains a Calendar Picker for Pausing Updates

Previously, pausing updates required choosing from a dropdown with fixed one-week increments. The new calendar picker allows users to select an exact end date for pausing updates, up to 35 days out.

• Users can align update pauses with specific events, such as work trips or exam weeks.
• A new pause can be set once the current pause is close to expiring, as long as the new date is within the 35-day limit.
• While a pause is active, updates requiring a restart will not download or install, and any ongoing installs are canceled until the pause is lifted.

This feature enhances control over update timing, making it more user-friendly and practical.

#3 Point-in-Time Restore: A Full-System Recovery Tool

Point-in-Time Restore is the standout feature of this update. It allows users to create snapshots of their entire system, including apps, settings, and personal files, which can be used to roll back the system to a previous state if issues arise.

• Snapshots are created using the Volume Shadow Copy Service and are stored for up to 72 hours.
• The tool works offline and does not require cloud storage or a subscription.
• Users can configure the frequency and retention period of restore points via Settings > System > Recovery.

Note that rolling back to a restore point will erase any changes made after the snapshot, including files, passwords, and certificates. The feature requires at least 200GB of disk space and uses up to 50GB for storage.

#4 Screen Tint and Magnifier Improvements

The new Screen Tint feature is designed to reduce eye strain by applying a full-screen color overlay. Unlike Night Light, which adjusts color temperature, Screen Tint allows users to select the color and intensity of the overlay. The feature is available under Settings > Accessibility.

• Six preset colors are available, including amber, blue, and green, with the option to create custom colors.
• A slider allows users to adjust the intensity of the tint.

Magnifier also sees improvements, including the ability to type a specific zoom percentage and adjust zoom increments directly from its settings menu.

#5 Significant Bluetooth Enhancements

This update brings the most comprehensive set of Bluetooth improvements in years, addressing issues with audio quality, connection stability, and device compatibility.

• Mute-state syncing ensures that a Bluetooth headset’s mute status is accurately reflected in Windows.
• AirPods now pair faster, and microphone reliability for Beats Studio Pro headphones has been improved.
• Bluetooth LE Audio streaming recovers more reliably after dropped connections.
• Phone Link gains better call routing, ensuring outgoing calls stay on your phone while ringing and only switch to your PC when answered.

These enhancements significantly improve the overall Bluetooth experience on Windows 11.

Other Noteworthy Changes

• File Explorer: Faster launch times and smoother disk image mounting.
• Voice Access & Typing: Support for French, German, and Spanish with real-time corrections.
• Emoji Panel: Now uses GIPHY for GIFs instead of Tenor.
• Printer Setup: Default installations now use the Internet Printing Protocol for easier setup.
• Networking Fixes: Improvements for Wi-Fi power blue screens, cellular connectivity, and IPv6 VPNs.
• Touchpad Customization: Users can resize the bottom-right right-click zone to avoid accidental clicks.

Windows Search Enhancements for Insiders

Insiders testing the new Windows Search feature can expect a cleaner interface, with MSN tiles, daily quizzes, and sponsored shopping cards removed. Key updates include:

• Recent searches are now displayed prominently.
• Search results are labeled by their origin (e.g., app, file, or web).
• Bing web results and Microsoft Store suggestions can be turned off via Settings > Privacy & security > Search.

This update prioritizes local matches over web results, offering a more streamlined and user-focused search experience.

Important Considerations Before Installing KB5101650

While this update introduces many welcome changes, there are some issues to be aware of:

• Storage Bug Fix: A previously identified issue caused the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file to grow excessively. The update includes a fix, but manual cleanup may still be required for affected users.
• Dell Compatibility Issue: Certain Intel-based Dell PCs may experience performance issues due to a conflict between the new USB-C Connection Manager and Dell’s Intel Innovation Platform Framework driver. Microsoft has temporarily blocked the update for these devices.

How to Install the Update

To install the update, go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. It will appear as KB5101650 and requires one reboot to complete. The update will move your PC to Build 26200.8875 or 26100.8875, depending on your current version.

If you prefer to wait, you can use the calendar picker to pause updates for up to 35 days. However, given the significant security fixes and feature enhancements, it is highly recommended to install this update as soon as possible.

Stay tuned for more updates and features as Microsoft continues to refine the Windows 11 experience.