Windows news you can use: July 2026

In July, a slew of updates for Windows were released, providing IT administrators with new features across various domains including security, device management, Windows Server, Windows 365, accessibility, and lifecycle management. In this issue of Windows news you can use, we’ll look at the updates likely to impact your strategies and operations. These updates include AI-driven vulnerability management, the introduction of passkeys in Microsoft Entra ID, backup options for Windows settings, RDP Multipath support, Arc-enabled hotpatch updates, and exciting new experiences in Windows 11.

• [WINDOWS 365] [AI] – Discover the new insights available for exploring Windows 365 for Agents. Understand how to create secure, managed Cloud PC environments that ensure enterprise identity, security, compliance, and governance controls for agentic workloads.
• [BACKUP] – Windows 11, version 26H2 will automatically enable Windows settings backup on compatible devices. This enhancement will help you boost resilience by backing up user settings and Microsoft Store app lists automatically. If you’re unfamiliar with the Windows settings backup and restoration process, take a quick video tour.
• [INTUNE] – Starting July 1, advanced capabilities from the Microsoft Intune Suite are now part of Microsoft 365 E5, with select features also available in Microsoft 365 E3.
• [INTUNE] – The updated per-device sync feature in the Intune admin centre now shows progress updates, allowing you to verify that actions are underway and track their status more easily.
• [WINDOWS 365] [AZURE VIRTUAL DESKTOP] [NETWORKING] – Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop now offer RDP Multipath support with redundant TCP, providing a more resilient remote desktop experience, enhanced connectivity, and fewer disconnections.
• [SERVICING] – Need a quick refresher on the types of monthly updates and release schedules? Check out “Understanding Windows Monthly Updates: Servicing Explained” to help shape your update management strategy.
• [TOOLS] – The latest Sysinternals updates present new tools, including JPEG and WEBP snip support for ZoomIt and new timeout options for ProcDump. Plus, security enhancements in LiveKD now help prevent non-administrators from accessing sensitive debugging data within dump files.

• [AI] – With AI taking the lead in uncovering vulnerabilities, Windows is investing in AI-powered tools. These innovations will help identify security issues sooner, expedite remediation efforts, enhance validation processes, and deliver rapid, high-quality security updates.
• [SSO] – A new Windows policy now offers enhanced control over sign-in experiences. You can now automatically accept single sign-on (SSO) permissions on managed devices.
• [PASSKEYS] [ENTRA] – Microsoft Entra ID is enhancing its authentication experience by making passkeys the default, phishing-resistant authentication method. This change reduces dependence on susceptible methods like SMS and voice.
• [KMS] [TPM] – Upcoming KMS improvements will employ TPM-backed hardware attestation, reinforcing activation integrity by linking activation to trusted hardware rather than just software configurations. TPM attestation helps confirm that the KMS host is a legitimate, secure server and hasn’t been compromised before allowing activation on Windows devices.
• [AI] – Microsoft introduces Project Perception, a cutting-edge security platform leveraging AI to continually assess, reason about, and respond to threats. This advancement enables defenders to keep pace with the rapid scale of attacks in the AI era. For insights on how Microsoft is leveraging AI to proactively identify security risks and enhance platform defenses, check out the latest Secure Future Initiative report.

To discover more about security updates across the Microsoft platform, visit What’s New in Microsoft Security: July 2026.

For the latest updates and improvements for Windows Server, check the Windows Server 2025 release notes and the Windows Server, version 23H2 release notes.

• [HOTPATCH] – Arc-enabled hotpatch updates for Windows Server 2025 are available at no extra cost. Use these updates to apply most security patches without rebooting servers. This feature minimises downtime while ensuring your security compliance through Azure Arc and Azure Update Manager.
• [TPM] – Trusted Launch for virtual machines (TVMs) is now part of the Windows Server Insider Program. This feature enhances VM security through Secure Boot and vTPM protections, safeguarding against sophisticated firmware and boot attacks.
• [SECURITY] – New guidelines are introduced for managing RDP file security via Group Policy. This aims to help organisations reduce phishing risks by controlling which .rdp files users can access.
• [HARDENING] – The July 2026 security update implements a security hardening change that enforces TDI transport registration requirements. Applications using sockets over unregistered third-party TDI transports may cease to function post-installation. Learn how to check if you are affected and manage this behaviour.
• [HARDENING] – Starting with the October 2026 security update, AD FS Distributed Key Manager (DKM) container ACL hardening will run by default on supported versions of Windows Server.

To benefit from these and other features, ensure you install the July 2026 security update for Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2, which will be gradually rolled out:

• [START] – A redesigned Start menu is now available for commercial and managed Windows devices. Tailor the experience for your organisation with the Start Policy CSP and Start policy settings.
• [ACCESSIBILITY] – Accessibility enhancements make it easier for users to work comfortably. New features include a full-screen colour overlay for better visual comfort, finer zoom controls in Magnifier, and expanded voice access and typing in French, German, and Spanish.
• [WIDGETS] – A more refined Widgets experience minimizes interruptions, offering improved default settings and notification controls.
• [NETWORKING] – Applications and system features, such as the NetUseAdd function, now work more reliably, including unauthenticated connections. This improvement simplifies access to shared network resources.

Keep an eye out for additional features and enhancements in the upcoming August 2026 security update. You can preview these by installing the July 2026 optional non-security update for Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2. This update includes:

• [FILE EXPLORER] – File sizes in the Details view will now display using appropriate units (KB, MB, GB) instead of only KB, making it easier to understand at a glance.
• [ACCESSIBILITY] – Voice Access now incorporates Voice Isolation, improving its ability to recognise your voice by minimizing background noise. Additionally, Voice Access now supports Korean.
• [SECURITY] – Enhancement of Windows Hello’s Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) is rolling out for peripheral fingerprint sensors, enabling you to use fingerprint sensors on desktops and other Windows 11 PCs, including Copilot+ devices.

For information on planned updates regarding productivity, security, and reliability for Windows 11, please visit the Windows Roadmap.

• [W11] [24H2] – On October 13, 2026, Windows 11, version 24H2 Home and Pro editions will have reached their end of updates. Following this date, devices running these editions will no longer receive monthly security and non-security preview updates against the latest threats. Meanwhile, Enterprise and Education editions will be supported until October 12, 2027.
• [W10] [LSTB] – On October 13, 2026, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 will reach its end of updates. We suggest updating to the latest LTSC release, Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024. If you need more time for this transition, Extended Security Updates (ESU) will be available.
• [SERVER] [2022] – On October 13, 2026, Windows Server 2022 will shift to extended support, which provides monthly security updates at no additional charge. These devices will continue to receive monthly security updates until October 14, 2031. For full information, see the Windows Server 2022 lifecycle page.

Check out our lifecycle documentation for the latest updates on Deprecated Features in the Windows Client and Windows Server 2025.

Want to stay updated with the latest news and previews for Windows, Copilot, Copilot+ PCs, and the Windows and Windows Server Insider Programs? Discover more through the resources provided below:

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