According to the latest update, but Microsoft didn’t just fix a bunch of security vulnerabilities. They also rolled out patch KB5101650 for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, which makes many fresh functions available for all Windows 11 users—functions that you previously had to download manually as optional updates. Yesterday was Patch Tuesday, which broke records.
According to the latest update, pITR takes a full backup of your system, then takes recurring snapshots every 4 to 24 hours. You can then revert to any of those snapshots on demand. The catch is that snapshots are only held for 72 hours max, so this capability is meant for short-term recovery (like if you’re updating your system or making big changes and want a quick way to undo everything). The most exciting fresh capability is called Point-in-Time Restore (PITR), which we first reported on in November 2025.
The report highlights that microsoft has been testing PITR for months via Insider builds, but this fresh system restore capability is now making its way into public versions of Windows 11. What’s nice about PITR versus the existing System Restore is that PITR can even restore local files and apps.
As part of the ongoing story, however, Microsoft advises against postponing updates for too long due to the rampant spread of AI and how quickly hackers can exploit newly discovered Windows security vulnerabilities. Another improvement in this patch is that Windows updates can now finally be paused for up to 35 days via a calendar entry.
According to the latest update, the Windows taskbar now displays notifications and icons in a minimized state. File Explorer now starts up more quickly and mounts disk images faster. There are also a whole host of improvements to Bluetooth functionality. Further optimizations include screen tinting to reduce eye strain, printing over the internet, voice control and voice input, and more. Widgets now behave more discreetly and no longer open when you hover over them with the mouse.
According to the latest update, you should therefore not expect all the fresh functions to be available on your computer immediately upon installing the July 2026 patch. Only the security-related improvements are being rolled out to all computers straight away. Microsoft is rolling out the fresh functions gradually to compatible Windows 11 computers.
Industry observers note that to learn more, see our comparison of Windows 11 Home and Pro. If you want to upgrade, snag it for cheap in the PCWorld Applications Store: now just $59 instead of $99. By the way: If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you’re missing out on the many benefits of Windows 11 Pro.
In a fresh development, this article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
As part of the ongoing story, he has been writing on almost all IT topics for around 25 years, covering everything from news to reviews and buying guides. Hans-Christian Dirscherl began his IT life with Autoexec.bat and config.sys, Turbo-Pascal and C, Sinix and Wordperfect.