Windows users can now choose when to pause updates thanks to Microsoft's newest patch.

      From scheduling updates at your convenience to restoring a malfunctioning PC with a single click, here's all that's new in the July 2026 update for Windows 11.

      While Patch Tuesday updates are typically unremarkable, Microsoft's July 2026 release brings some exciting changes.

      You can now download this update, labeled KB5101650, directly through Settings, or manually through the Microsoft Update Catalog if you prefer not to wait for it to be distributed.

      What’s the significant change in this Windows Update?

      If you navigate to Settings and then to Windows Update, you'll find a new calendar feature that allows you to pause updates simply by selecting an end date up to 35 days in the future.

      Once that timeframe expires, Windows will automatically start checking for updates again unless you choose to pause it once more. This isn’t a permanent “forever” pause since you’ll need to renew it manually.

      Nonetheless, it represents a significant improvement over the previous system, which only permitted delays for a few days before requiring another action.

      What additional features are included in this update?

      The Point-in-time Restore is arguably more important over the long term. Windows now automatically creates restore points that encompass your apps, settings, and personal files. Therefore, if something goes wrong, you can revert your entire PC to a recent functioning state without having to troubleshoot blindly.

      The Widgets feature has also been decluttered. They no longer open on hover, defaulting to the dashboard, and provide greater control over notification badges. The accessibility options have been enhanced with a screen tint feature to alleviate eye strain, and there’s now a Magnifier that allows you to set a precise zoom percentage.

      File Explorer now showcases quick actions like “Ask Copilot” when you hover over a file, even for work and school accounts. Additionally, for PCs with over 32GB of memory, adjustments to the Graphics Kernel allow for the operation of larger local AI models.

      For more than five years, Shikhar has been dedicated to demystifying advancements in consumer technology.

      Canva Code 2.0 has made vibe coding significantly less daunting for everyone.

      Coding was once the domain of developers who dedicated years to mastering complex programming languages. However, with the advent of vibe coding, individuals can now create apps and websites using straightforward, plain-language prompts.

      Unfortunately, many of these tools still seem intimidating for the average user, as a basic understanding of code is necessary for making meaningful adjustments. Consequently, the creations often end up looking uniform.

      A new study examines whether AI-narrated audiobooks can outperform humans, revealing that many listeners believe they do.

      Interestingly, a study by Edison Research at SSRS found that listeners preferred AI-narrated audiobooks over those narrated by humans during blind testing. This research surveyed 1,005 fiction audiobook enthusiasts in May 2026 for a study commissioned by AI audio company Spoken. The surprising element is that listeners rated the AI narration more favorably without realizing it was AI until after the fact.

      AI can understand child behavior, but it’s essential to keep human interpretation involved.

      Google's Gemini models are making notable strides in interpreting videos, images, and conversations. Recent research indicates that AI can accurately identify subtle behaviors in parent-child interactions. However, experts caution that while Gemini can reliably observe actions, it should not be relied upon to interpret the significance of those behaviors.

      Notably, the study utilized Gemini 2.5 Pro, which is not Google’s most advanced AI, suggesting that future models may enhance performance even further. Nevertheless, researchers maintain that human insight remains crucial.