Microsoft is set to enhance the Windows 11 experience with a suite of five new features slated for release in July. For those eager to get a head start, an optional preview will be available in June, allowing early adopters to explore these updates ahead of the official rollout.
Among the most anticipated enhancements is the ability to pause Windows updates using a calendar view. This feature allows users to pause updates for a period of up to 35 days, with the flexibility to extend the pause by selecting a new end date. After undergoing testing since April, this user-friendly option is now ready for all Windows 11 users.
Another noteworthy addition is the Point-in-Time Restore (PITR) feature. Once activated, Windows will automatically generate restore points for the entire system, encompassing apps, settings, and personal files. Unlike the traditional System Restore, PITR enables users to revert local files and applications, with restore points stored for up to 72 hours—though this timeframe can be adjusted. This feature provides a safety net for users facing significant system issues within that window.
To address user comfort, Microsoft introduces Screen Tint, a feature designed to alleviate eye strain. Users can select from a range of predefined colors to apply a “full-screen color overlay” across their desktop, enhancing visual comfort. This stands in contrast to the existing Night Light feature, which only adjusts color temperature; Screen Tint offers greater control over color and intensity.
Additionally, improvements in Bluetooth connectivity are on the horizon. Users can expect more reliable performance, particularly when muting Bluetooth headsets. AirPods will connect more swiftly, and the microphones on Beats Studio Pro headphones will function more dependably. Bluetooth LE audio streaming will also see enhancements, ensuring quicker reconnections after dropouts and faster audio playback when the microphone is in use.
Moreover, the taskbar widgets will undergo a subtle yet impactful change. They will no longer expand immediately upon cursor hover, reducing distractions and accidental interruptions. Microsoft is also streamlining notification icons in the taskbar, minimizing the number of notifications displayed and adapting icon colors to align with the user’s Windows accent color.
How to get the new features
These new features will be accessible on all Windows 11 PCs following the installation of an optional update at the end of June or the mandatory update in July. To access the optional update, users will need to manually search for Windows Update and install it once it becomes available, typically during the last week of the month. Alternatively, on Patch Tuesday in July, Microsoft will automatically roll out these features to all Windows 11 users, requiring no action on their part.
