pause updates Archives

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Windows 11 trades noisy Bing ads for the clean Search experience it always needed

Microsoft has announced a comprehensive upgrade to the Search feature in Windows 11, eliminating ads and promotional materials to enhance user experience. The July 2026 Patch Tuesday update introduces new features, including Point-in-time Restore and addresses 570 vulnerabilities, with AI aiding in vulnerability discovery. The rollout of the KB5101650 update faced challenges for Dell users, leading Microsoft to pause it for affected devices. Additionally, Microsoft is testing a slightly larger search box to improve design consistency.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

Microsoft finally lets you pause Windows 11 updates until the exact date you want, and more, in latest patch

Microsoft has released a significant update for Windows 11 in July 2026, which includes user control over automatic updates, allowing users to pause updates for 1 to 35 days. The update addresses 570 bug fixes and introduces an automatic snapshot feature for system recovery, retaining system states for up to 72 hours, requiring 50GB of storage on devices with at least 200GB of disk space. Bluetooth functionality has improved, particularly in audio performance and synchronization. A new screen tint feature allows for custom colors and intensities for night viewing. The update is available for download, but some features may be rolled out gradually, and Dell PC owners may experience delays due to a USB connectivity bug. Additionally, Microsoft is streamlining Windows Search by removing sponsored content.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

Windows 11’s massive July 2026 update fixes 570 vulnerabilities and shows how AI is quietly reshaping Patch Tuesday itself

Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, identified as KB5101650, addresses 570 vulnerabilities and upgrades Windows 11 to version 25H2 (build 26200.8875) and version 24H2 (build 26100.8875). The update includes critical fixes for BitLocker and File Explorer, targeting vulnerabilities that could enable remote code execution. Microsoft's MDASH tool, which uses AI for vulnerability analysis, has helped uncover 16 vulnerabilities in networking and authentication components. The update also introduces non-security enhancements like Point-in-time restore and improved Bluetooth reliability. Microsoft emphasizes the need for users to install updates quickly due to the rapid evolution of AI technology that benefits malicious actors.

Winsage

July 15, 2026

Microsoft patches record 570 Windows security bugs with two exploited zero days

Microsoft released its July Patch Tuesday updates, addressing 570 security vulnerabilities in Windows, a record number for the company. This update includes three zero-day vulnerabilities, two of which have been exploited in real-world attacks, affecting Microsoft’s Active Directory and SharePoint, while the third concerns BitLocker encryption. The update also enhances Windows features, including changes to the Widgets app, improvements in File Explorer speed, refined Bluetooth connectivity, and a new feature allowing users to pause updates until a specific date. However, the update has been temporarily halted for certain Dell computers due to compatibility issues, with Microsoft working on a fix.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Windows 11’s big patch Tuesday allows you to hold off on updates for longer

Microsoft has introduced enhancements for Windows 11, including the ability to pause updates indefinitely, allowing users to delay updates for up to 35 days with the option to extend this deadline. The update also addresses several security vulnerabilities using artificial intelligence for identification and patching. Additional features include a "Point-in-time restore" option, customization options for Widgets, a more precise magnification tool, and improved stability for certain Bluetooth devices.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft Releases July 2026 Patch Tuesday Updates

Microsoft has released the July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2, introducing several key features: - A new recovery feature allows users to revert their PCs to a recent restore point. - The Widgets experience has been revamped to minimize distractions, including no longer opening upon hover and reduced memory usage. - Users can pause Windows updates for up to 35 days and re-pause them as needed. - A new screen tint feature applies a color overlay to reduce eye strain. - Magnifier now offers preset zoom increments and allows specific zoom percentages to be input. - Bluetooth connectivity improvements include quicker pairing for Apple’s AirPods and better reliability for Beats Studio Pro headphones. - Voice access and voice typing features are now available in French, German, and Spanish. - Users can customize the right-click zone size on touchpads with a pressable surface. - The emoji panel now uses GIPHY for GIF content. - Taskbar notification counts and badge visuals will update accurately. For Qualcomm-powered PCs running Windows 11 version 26H1, the KB5101649 update includes the Point-in-time restore feature and introduces new NPU usage metrics in Task Manager, the option to assign a custom user folder name during setup, and allows multiple applications to access the camera stream simultaneously. Improvements have also been made to Windows Hello authentication and Microsoft Store performance, along with enhancements to Windows Search for better file location and prioritization.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Windows 11 version 26H2 is packed with surprising upgrades, and these 7 features might change how you use your PC

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H2 will be released in the latter half of 2026, transitioning to a streamlined servicing model with a small enablement package instead of a full installation. Key features expected in this update include: 1. A revamped Copilot that enhances search experiences with AI assistance. 2. Customization options for the Taskbar, allowing repositioning and size adjustments. 3. An option to disable web results in Windows Search for a more focused experience. 4. Improved control over Windows Update, including the ability to pause updates for up to 35 days. 5. An Administrator Protection feature that creates temporary accounts for administrative tasks to enhance security. 6. A modern design refresh for the Run dialog box, featuring rounded corners and a "recent commands" section.

Winsage

June 27, 2026

Microsoft now lets you pause Windows updates indefinitely and cuts restarts down to one a month

The Windows team at Microsoft has introduced a calendar-based option for pausing updates, allowing users to select a specific end date for their pause, extending up to 35 days. Users can set this by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and choosing their end date from a calendar. The calendar pause is not permanent; once the pause period ends, Windows will automatically check for and install updates. Users can manually reset the pause to extend it further by another 35 days. Additionally, Microsoft is consolidating driver, .NET, and firmware updates into a single monthly restart to enhance user experience. The "Update and shut down" feature has been improved, allowing users to shut down their PCs without installing pending updates. The calendar pause feature is available in the June optional update KB5095093, while the other changes are accessible to Windows Insiders in the Experimental and Beta channels.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Windows 11’s huge July 14 update is loaded with new features — these are the 13 that matter most

Microsoft will launch the Windows 11 July 2026 Security Update on July 14, 2026, introducing new features and bug fixes. Key features include the Point-in-time Restore recovery feature, which allows users to revert to a stable system state using restore points, and enhancements to Bluetooth, network virtualization, and touchpad functionality. The update will be available for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, managed through Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology. The update enhances the "Pause updates" functionality with a calendar view for pausing updates for up to 35 days. The Magnifier tool will allow users to input exact zoom percentages, and printer installations will default to the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). Location settings will be simplified, and File Explorer will see performance improvements, including new options on the Home page. Bluetooth enhancements will improve reliability and audio performance, while Phone Link will refine call handling between Windows 11 and smartphones. Voice Typing and Voice Access will be improved for real-time text refinement and support multiple languages. Networking improvements will focus on reliability and performance, particularly in virtualized environments, and touchpad customization options will allow adjustments to the right-click area.

Winsage

June 24, 2026

Here are 5 Windows 11 features coming in July. None of them require AI

Microsoft will release five new features for Windows 11 in July, with an optional preview available in June. Key features include the ability to pause updates for up to 35 days using a calendar view, the Point-in-Time Restore (PITR) feature that automatically generates restore points for the system, and the Screen Tint feature to reduce eye strain with customizable color overlays. Improvements in Bluetooth connectivity will enhance performance, especially for AirPods and Beats Studio Pro headphones. The taskbar widgets will change to reduce distractions by not expanding on cursor hover, and notification icons will be streamlined. These features will be available through an optional update at the end of June or a mandatory update in July.