![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Windows11.jpg\")
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Microsoft has released Windows 11\u00a0KB5101650\u00a0and\u00a0KB5099414\u00a0cumulative updates for versions 25H2\/24H2 and 23H2 to fix security vulnerabilities, bugs, and add new features.<\/p>\n
Today’s updates are\u00a0mandatory as they contain the\u00a0July 2026\u00a0Patch Tuesday<\/a> security patches for 571 vulnerabilities discovered in previous months.<\/p>\n You\u00a0can install today’s update by going to\u00a0Start\u00a0>\u00a0Settings\u00a0>\u00a0Windows Update\u00a0and clicking on\u00a0‘Check for Updates.’<\/p>\n You can also manually download and install the update from the\u00a0Microsoft Update Catalog<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is the seventh ‘Patch Tuesday’ release in 2026, and it’s based on 24H2, which means 25H2 gets the same update. There are no exclusive or special changes. You’ll get the same fixes across the two versions of Windows 11.<\/p>\n What’s new in the July 2026\u00a0Patch Tuesday update<\/p>\n After installing today’s security updates, Windows 11 25H2 will have its build number changed to 26200.8875\u00a025H2 and 26100.8875\u00a0(24H2),\u00a0and 23H2 (KB5099414<\/a>)\u00a0will be changed to\u00a022631.7376.<\/p>\n With today’s update, Microsoft is adding Point-in-Time restore for everyone, but enterprise customers will be given greater control.<\/p>\n Here’s the full list of improvements and fixes:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n [Widgets]\u00a0New!\u00a0A quieter, more focused Widgets experience helps reduce interruptions and improves default settings and notification controls:<\/p>\n
[Accessibility]\u00a0New!\u00a0This update makes your screen easier to see and customizes your zoom experience:<\/p>\n
[File Explorer]<\/p>\n
New!\u00a0When you hover over a file in File Explorer Home, commands such as\u00a0Open file location\u00a0and\u00a0Ask Copilot\u00a0appear as quick actions. This experience is now supported for work and school accounts (Entra ID).1<\/p>\n
Improves the speed and performance of File Explorer launch.2<\/p>\n
This update improves File Explorer responsiveness when mounting disk images.<\/p>\n
The address bar now supports paths containing double backslashes and quotation marks (for example, C:\\\\Users\\\\user or “C:\\Users\\user”), improving compatibility with a wider range of inputs.<\/p>\n
The address bar suggestion dropdown is more reliable and now consistently closes after an item is selected.<\/p>\n
This update addresses an issue on File Explorer Home where OneDrive files could appear duplicated in the Favorites section.<\/p>\n
This update includes several refinements to the Rename experience:<\/p>\n
[Bluetooth]\u00a0This update improves reliability and performance when connecting to and using Bluetooth devices:<\/p>\n
New!\u00a0Windows now keeps the microphone mute state in sync between the audio mixer and the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) for a more consistent experience with Bluetooth headphones with mute buttons or indicators.<\/p>\n
Accessory compatibility workarounds:\u00a0Improves compatibility with specific Bluetooth audio devices, helping AirPods appear faster in pairing mode and improving microphone reliability on Beats Studio Pro headphones.<\/p>\n
Bluetooth audio stability:<\/p>\n
Device management:\u00a0Windows will no longer show a \u201cRemove failed\u201d message when attempting to remove Bluetooth devices if the Bluetooth radio is unavailable or has changed since pairing.<\/p>\n
Settings experience:\u00a0Improves stability when using the Bluetooth & devices settings page for a smoother, more consistent experience.<\/p>\n
Connection reliability and responsiveness:<\/p>\n
[Bluetooth and Phone Link]\u00a0This update improves audio routing for calls made through a connected phone:<\/p>\n
[Voice access and voice typing]\u00a0**New!**\u2060 You can now use voice access and voice typing in French, German, and Spanish. As you speak, your PC improves your text in real time. It corrects grammar, punctuation, and recognition errors, and helps improve clarity\u2014even in the presence of background noise. This makes dictation smoother and reduces the need for manual edits.3<\/p>\n
[Audio]\u00a0This update improves the reliability of the inbox HD Audio driver.<\/p>\n
[Taskbar]\u00a0This update improves the reliability of opening\u00a0the Start menu when selecting\u00a0the left edge of the taskbar when the icons in the taskbar are left-aligned.<\/p>\n
[Networking]<\/p>\n
[Printing]\u00a0New!\u00a0New printer installations use Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) by default when supported, simplifying setup and improving reliability. For details about third-party driver deprecation, see\u00a0End of Servicing Plan for Third-Party Printer Drivers on Windows<\/a>. To control this behavior, use the toggle in\u00a0Settings\u00a0>\u00a0Bluetooth & devices\u00a0>\u00a0Printers & scanners\u00a0>\u00a0Default install printers using Windows Ready Print. For more information, see Introducing Windows Ready Print and modernized driver selection. For more information, see\u202fIntroducing Windows Ready Print and Modernized Driver Selection<\/a>.<\/p>\n
[Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)]\u00a0The update improves usage of WSL in mirrored networking mode with VPNs.<\/p>\n
[Display and graphics]<\/p>\n
[Location services]\u00a0This update changes how some location settings are displayed in\u00a0Settings\u00a0>\u00a0Privacy & Security\u00a0>\u00a0Location\u00a0to help with clarity. When location services are turned off, settings like\u00a0Default location\u00a0and\u00a0Allow location override\u00a0don’t\u00a0immediately apply, since location information is not given to apps or services. These settings will now be greyed out when location services are off to reduce confusion over when they take effect.<\/p>\n
[Search]\u00a0This update improves the reliability of setting Search related group policies.<\/p>\n
[Input]<\/p>\n
Microsoft is not aware of any new issues with this month’s Patch Tuesday, largely because it’s not a massive release compared to previous ones.<\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ti-97.jpg\")
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\n\tReduce distractions:\u00a0Widgets no longer open on hover. Notifications and taskbar badges are minimized by default.
\n\t\tSimpler: Open to the Widgets dashboard by default on first use.
\n\t\tCustomize:\u00a0Configure Widgets how you want by selecting Settings in the navigation bar, then changing any of the default settings.
\n\t\tStay informed:\u00a0Dashboard icons show the number of alerts, and badges clear automatically when you leave a dashboard.
\n\t\tAdjusted defaults:\u00a0Some default settings are preserved based on usage, while others adjust to reduce interruptions.
\n\t\tPerformance improvements:\u00a0This update provides improved reliability, responsiveness, and visual quality across the Widget experience.
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\n\tScreen tint:\u00a0Apply a full-screen color overlay to help reduce eye strain and improve readability. Choose from preset tint options, adjust the intensity, or turn it on automatically. Find this feature in\u00a0Settings\u00a0>\u00a0Accessibility.
\n\t\tMagnifier:\u00a0Enter a zoom percentage directly and change it in increments in the Magnifier window for more precise, flexible control.
\n\t\tMagnifier settings menu:\u00a0You can now also modify zoom increments directly from the magnifier bar instead of navigating to Windows Settings each time.
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\n\t\tAddresses an issue where text was repeatedly selected when renaming items in folder views.
\n\t\t\tAddresses an issue where case-only name changes were not immediately reflected in folder views for items stored locally or in the cloud.
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\n\t\tImproves overall Windows stability with certain PC manufacturer drivers (error code 0x9F).
\n\t\t\tImproves Bluetooth reliability for voice calls when using Classic Audio devices with the Hands-Free Profile (HFP).
\n\t\t\tReduces time for LE Audio accessories to start playing audio while using the microphone.
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\n\t\tReduces the time it takes for classic Bluetooth audio devices to reconnect after Windows resumes from hibernation.
\n\t\t\tImproves reliability when LE Audio accessories disconnect, such as when another device (for example, a phone) connects.
\n\t\t\tImproves reliability of LE Audio streaming after a connection is lost and restored.
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\n\tWhen an outgoing call is dialed from a paired phone, audio\u202fremains\u202fon the phone while ringing and transfers to the PC only when the call is answered from the PC.
\n\t\tWhen Do Not Disturb is enabled on Windows, incoming call audio from a paired phone no longer rings on the PC.
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\n\tThis update includes networking improvements for virtualized environments. Confidential Virtual Machines (CVMs) now use SR-IOV hardware acceleration by default for improved network throughput, and a configuration issue in nested Hyper-V virtualization network setup has been corrected to ensure reliable VM network provisioning.
\n\t\tThis update improves the reliability of the Windows networking stack. It reduces bug checks (blue screen errors) related to Wi-Fi power and improves cellular (WWAN) connectivity, including support for IPv6 VPNs. Compatibility with third-party VPN software and SR-IOV configurations on server hardware is also improved. Network adapter settings and bindings are now preserved across OS upgrades.
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\n\tImproves the reliability of rendering content while scrolling for certain apps spanning across multiple monitors.
\n\t\tImproves the reliability and persistence of applying color profiles.
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\n\tNew!\u00a0You can now customize the size of the right-click zone in\u00a0Settings\u00a0>\u00a0Bluetooth & devices\u00a0>\u00a0Touchpad. Choose from default, small, medium, or large to control how much of the bottom-right corner responds to a single-finger right-click. This setting is only available on touchpads with a pressable surface. If your device manufacturer provides customization through their own app, a Custom option will appear to reflect those settings.
\n\t\tThis update improves recognition of English characters when using Japanese handwriting.
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