Windows 11’s big patch Tuesday allows you to hold off on updates for longer

The Verge Products

Summary

Windows 11's July 2026 Patch Tuesday update allows users to pause updates for up to 35 days, with the option to extend the deadline repeatedly, along with security fixes and other improvements.

<figure> <img alt="Windows logo on black background" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/STK109_WINDOWS_A.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Microsoft just released <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/07/july-14-2026-kb5101649-os-build-28000-2525">a long list of improvements for Windows 11</a> as part of its bigger <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/understanding-windows-monthly-updates-servicing-explained/4532290">patch Tuesdays</a>, and that includes the ability to pause updates indefinitely, as reported <a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11s-latest-update-will-let-you-pause-updates-indefinitely">earlier by <em>Windows Central</em></a>. This option <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/918572/microsoft-windows-updates-pause-35-days">rolled out to Windows Insiders</a> earlier this year, allowing you to hold off on updates for up to 35 days and repeatedly extend the deadline after that.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">It comes as part of Microsoft's plan to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/897834/microsoft-windows-11-quality-performance-commitments-changes">revitalize Windows 11</a> with updates focused on addressing user complaints and improving performance. Microsoft patched a bunch of <a href="https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2026-Jul">security issues</a> with this update as well, which the company said <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/963307/microsoft-patch-tuesday-ai-security-updates">we can expect to see more</a> of in future releas …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/965643/microsoft-windows-11-july-2026-patch-tuesday-updates">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
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# Windows 11’s big patch Tuesday allows you to hold off on updates for longer Source: [https://www.theverge.com/tech/965643/microsoft-windows-11-july-2026-patch-tuesday-updates](https://www.theverge.com/tech/965643/microsoft-windows-11-july-2026-patch-tuesday-updates) [Skip to main content](https://www.theverge.com/tech/965643/microsoft-windows-11-july-2026-patch-tuesday-updates#content) You can now pause updates for up to 35 days and continue extending the deadline\. You can now pause updates for up to 35 days and continue extending the deadline\. by Jul 14, 2026, 9:32 PM UTC ![STK109_WINDOWS_A](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/STK109_WINDOWS_A.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400) ![STK109_WINDOWS_A](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/STK109_WINDOWS_A.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400) Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge [![Emma Roth](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/author_profile_images/195810/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=96)](https://www.theverge.com/authors/emma-roth) Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more\. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO\. Microsoft just released[a long list of improvements for Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/07/july-14-2026-kb5101649-os-build-28000-2525)as part of its bigger[patch Tuesdays](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/understanding-windows-monthly-updates-servicing-explained/4532290), and that includes the ability to pause updates indefinitely, as reported[earlier by*Windows Central*](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11s-latest-update-will-let-you-pause-updates-indefinitely)\. This option[rolled out to Windows Insiders](https://www.theverge.com/tech/918572/microsoft-windows-updates-pause-35-days)earlier this year, allowing you to hold off on updates for up to 35 days and repeatedly extend the deadline after that\. It comes as part of Microsoft’s plan to[revitalize Windows 11](https://www.theverge.com/news/897834/microsoft-windows-11-quality-performance-commitments-changes)with updates focused on addressing user complaints and improving performance\. Microsoft patched a bunch of[security issues](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2026-Jul)with this update as well, which the company said[we can expect to see more](https://www.theverge.com/tech/963307/microsoft-patch-tuesday-ai-security-updates)of in future releases as it uses AI to identify vulnerabilities\. Last month, Microsoft previewed several other features arriving in this build \(KB5101650\) in an optional[June update](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/06/june-23-2026-kb5095093-os-builds-26200-8737-and-26100-8737-preview)\. That includes a new “Point\-in\-time restore” option, which can restore your PC, along with your apps, settings, and files, to a previous state\. The update also adds some customization options to Widgets, a more precise magnification tool, and improved stability with certain Bluetooth devices\. You can view the full list of changes on[Microsoft’s](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/06/june-23-2026-kb5095093-os-builds-26200-8737-and-26100-8737-preview)[website](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/07/july-14-2026-kb5101650-os-builds-26200-8875-and-26100-8875)\. **Follow topics and authors**from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates\. - Emma Roth ## The Verge Daily A free daily digest of the news that matters most\.

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