Microsoft has officially released Windows 11 KB5101650 (OS Builds 26100.8875 and 26200.8875) as the July 2026 Patch Tuesday cumulative update for supported Windows 11 devices.
While this month’s release delivers Microsoft’s latest security patches, it is much more than a routine Patch Tuesday update. KB5101650 also includes every feature and quality improvement introduced in the June 2026 cumulative and preview updates, bringing a long list of new capabilities to all users.
Among the biggest highlights are the debut of Point-in-Time Restore, a redesigned Windows Update pause calendar, a faster and smarter File Explorer, a quieter Widgets experience, expanded Bluetooth improvements, new Accessibility features, Voice Access support for more languages, networking enhancements, printing improvements, AI optimizations for Copilot+ PCs, and dozens of reliability fixes across Windows.
Because this is a cumulative release, users who install KB5101650 automatically receive all improvements previously released in:
If your PC already has these updates installed, Windows will download only the new fixes introduced in July.
What’s New in Windows 11 KB5101650?
Microsoft describes KB5101650 as both a security and feature update. In addition to fixing the latest vulnerabilities, it rolls out numerous user-facing improvements across Windows 11.
New Point-in-Time Restore Makes Recovery Much Easier
One of the biggest additions in this release is Point-in-Time Restore, a new Windows recovery capability designed to make troubleshooting significantly easier.
Instead of performing a full reset, Windows can now automatically create restore points that allow users to roll back:
- Installed applications
- System settings
- Personal files
to a recent working state.
This helps reduce downtime after failed updates, problematic drivers, or software installations while simplifying recovery for everyday users.
Windows Update Gets a New Calendar Interface
Microsoft has redesigned the update pause experience.
Instead of choosing a predefined pause period, Windows Update now includes a calendar interface that lets users select the exact date when updates should resume.
Users can pause Windows Update for up to 35 days, extend the pause if necessary, and manage update schedules more easily than before.
Widgets Become Cleaner, Faster and Less Distracting
Widgets have received a major usability overhaul.
The new experience focuses on reducing interruptions while improving responsiveness.
Improvements include:
- Widgets no longer open automatically when hovering.
- Notification badges are minimized by default.
- Dashboard alerts clear automatically after viewing.
- Better customization controls.
- Improved reliability.
- Faster loading and smoother animations.
The redesign makes Widgets feel much less intrusive while remaining useful for news, weather, and personalized information.
File Explorer Receives One of Its Biggest Updates
Microsoft continues refining File Explorer with several notable improvements.
New Quick Actions
Hovering over supported files now displays quick actions including:
- Ask Copilot
- Open File Location
This feature is currently available for supported work and school accounts.
Better Performance
Microsoft says File Explorer now launches faster while also improving responsiveness when mounting ISO and VHD disk images.
Improved Address Bar
The address bar now properly supports:
- Multiple backslashes
- Quoted file paths
- More reliable autocomplete suggestions
OneDrive and Rename Fixes
The update also fixes:
- Duplicate OneDrive Favorites
- Text repeatedly becoming selected during Rename
- Case-only filename changes not updating correctly
Overall, File Explorer should feel faster and more reliable after installing KB5101650.
Bluetooth Gets Major Reliability Improvements
Bluetooth receives one of the largest collections of fixes in this release.
Highlights include:
- Faster AirPods pairing
- Better Beats Studio Pro microphone compatibility
- Improved Hands-Free Profile reliability
- Faster reconnection after sleep and hibernation
- Better LE Audio stability
- Improved microphone mute synchronization
- More stable Bluetooth Settings
- Better handling when removing Bluetooth devices
Phone Link also receives smarter call routing.
Outgoing calls now remain on the phone until answered on the PC, while Do Not Disturb prevents incoming phone calls from ringing on the computer.
Accessibility Features Continue to Improve
Microsoft introduces several new accessibility improvements.
Screen Tint
Users can now enable a full-screen color overlay to reduce eye strain and improve readability.
Better Magnifier Controls
Magnifier now supports:
- Direct zoom percentage input
- Adjustable zoom increments
- Easier configuration directly from the Magnifier toolbar
Voice Access Expands to More Languages
Voice Access and Voice Typing now support:
- French
- German
- Spanish
On supported Copilot+ PCs, dictation also benefits from improved grammar correction, punctuation, speech recognition, and better handling of background noise.
Networking Improvements for Home and Enterprise Users
Networking receives numerous improvements throughout Windows.
Microsoft has enhanced:
- Hyper-V networking
- Confidential Virtual Machines
- Wi-Fi reliability
- Cellular connectivity
- IPv6 VPN compatibility
- Third-party VPN compatibility
- Network adapter preservation during upgrades
These improvements benefit both enterprise deployments and everyday Windows users.
Windows Ready Print Becomes the Default
Printer installation has also been modernized.
Supported printers now default to Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) through Windows Ready Print, simplifying setup while improving long-term reliability as Microsoft transitions away from legacy third-party printer drivers.
Windows Subsystem for Linux Gets Better VPN Support
Developers using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) receive improved mirrored networking support when connected through VPNs.
Graphics and AI Performance Improvements
Microsoft has improved graphics rendering reliability, especially for systems using multiple monitors.
The update also introduces improved graphics memory management that allows PCs with more than 32GB of RAM to run larger local AI models more efficiently.
Explorer and Overall System Reliability Continue to Improve
KB5101650 contains dozens of reliability improvements across Windows.
Microsoft has improved:
- explorer.exe stability
- Start menu reliability
- Lock screen performance
- OneDrive synchronization
- Shell extensions
- Acrylic visual effects
- HD Audio driver stability
- Search Group Policy reliability
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service shutdown performance
Touchpad users can also customize the size of the right-click zone, while Japanese handwriting recognition has been improved.
Office Launch Problems Have Finally Been Fixed
One of the most important fixes addresses an issue introduced by the June security update.
Following KB5094126, some third-party applications using OLE Automation failed to launch Microsoft Office or open Office documents.
KB5101650 resolves this compatibility issue, restoring normal functionality for affected business applications.
Secure Boot Certificate Rollout Expands
Microsoft continues expanding deployment of its new Secure Boot certificates.
KB5101650 adds additional high-confidence device targeting, allowing more compatible devices to automatically receive updated Secure Boot certificates through Windows Update while maintaining Microsoft’s phased rollout strategy.
Stronger Networking Security
Microsoft is introducing additional networking security hardening.
Windows now enforces stricter TDI transport registration requirements.
Applications relying on unregistered third-party TDI transports may no longer function until updated, while properly registered transports remain unaffected.
Remote Desktop Security Gets Stronger
Remote Desktop receives several security enhancements.
New additions include:
- SHA-2 certificate thumbprint support
- Continued SHA-1 compatibility for older deployments
- Improved Group Policy management for .rdp files
- Better protection against Remote Desktop phishing attacks
Microsoft recommends organizations migrate to SHA-256 certificates ahead of SHA-1 retirement.
curl Updated to Version 8.21.0
Windows now includes curl 8.21.0, bringing security updates, bug fixes, protocol improvements, and better reliability for developers and administrators.
Emoji Panel Now Uses GIPHY
Windows has switched the Emoji Panel’s GIF provider from Google’s retired Tenor API to GIPHY, ensuring GIF search continues working after June 2026.
Additional Improvements Included
KB5101650 also delivers numerous smaller fixes, including:
- Improved Active Directory authentication between domain controllers.
- Better reliability when connecting to shared network resources.
- Fixed incorrect notification badge counts in Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, and other applications.
- Fixed Recycle Bin dialogs displaying internal filenames instead of original filenames.
- Fixed OneDrive shortcuts when File Explorer runs as Administrator.
- Reduced storage usage for CapabilityAccessManager database files.
- Improved taskbar notification badge reliability.
- Better shutdown performance for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
Security Fixes Included
As expected for a Patch Tuesday release, KB5101650 also includes Microsoft’s July 2026 Security Updates, addressing multiple Windows vulnerabilities while improving overall platform security.
Should You Install Windows 11 KB5101650?
KB5101650 is one of the most feature-rich Windows 11 cumulative updates released in recent months. In addition to Microsoft’s latest security patches, it introduces meaningful new features like Point-in-Time Restore, a redesigned Windows Update experience, major File Explorer improvements, a revamped Widgets experience, significant Bluetooth enhancements, better Accessibility tools, and stronger Remote Desktop security.
Whether you’re a home user, gamer, developer, or IT administrator, this update delivers noticeable improvements in security, reliability, performance, and everyday usability.
How to Install the Windows 11 July 2026 Update
The update is rolling out automatically through Windows Update.
To install it manually:
- Open Settings
- Navigate to Windows Update
- Click Check for updates
- Download and install KB5101650
- Restart your PC when prompted
Users can also enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available to receive new features more quickly.
Download link
You can download and manually install Windows 11 update KB5101650 by clicking here. If you need help in understanding how to install these updates manually on your PC, you can refer to our step-by-step noob-friendly tutorial.Â
Windows 11 KB5101650 Highlights
- Release Date: July 14, 2026
- Update: KB5101650
- OS Builds: 26100.8875 & 26200.8875
- New Point-in-Time Restore recovery feature
- New Windows Update pause calendar
- Faster and smarter File Explorer
- Redesigned Widgets experience
- Major Bluetooth reliability improvements
- New Accessibility features
- Voice Access expands to French, German, and Spanish
- Windows Ready Print enabled by default for supported printers
- Improved WSL networking with VPNs
- Better graphics and AI performance
- Fixed Microsoft Office launch issues
- Expanded Secure Boot certificate rollout
- Enhanced Remote Desktop security
- curl upgraded to 8.21.0
- Includes all July 2026 Patch Tuesday security fixes
