Currently, the feature is only available as part of the Windows Insider Program. However, it will be rolled out to all Windows 11 users with an upcoming patch release. The changes to Windows Update may seem minor, but they’re an important step towards giving users back more freedom. There are sometimes good reasons to delay installing an update or to pause them completely for a certain period. Microsoft now recognizes this. In addition, Microsoft is working to make the Windows Update installation process smoother. Updates are set to become smaller, faster, and require fewer reboots. By the way
Microsoft finally lets Windows 11 shut down without installing updates… We've already highlighted some of these new features back when we looked at the preview of this update, which included features like the new Sysmon security tool, improvements to Windows Backup, Quick Machine Recovery QMR , and the new "built-in" speedtest. …
Earlier this year, Microsoft promised to give users more control over Windows updates. Since then, early testers have been able to choose to pause Windows updates for an extended period. The second major new feature is now also being introduced and relates to shutting down the PC. …
… This optional update adds a number of small but useful new features to Windows 11. Among other things, it allows Smart App Control SAC to be activated or deactivated without having to reinstall the operating system, a feature that, to say the least, has long been anticipated. …
If you want to test new updates for Windows 11, you can join the Windows Insider Program, but until now Microsoft has used a lottery system aka a staggered rollout called Controlled Feature Rollout to determine which new features each member gets access to. …
… According to their findings, several factors play a role in the ever-increasing size of Windows updates. Reason 1: AI features These days, Microsoft includes not only changes to basic Windows functions in every update, but also numerous AI features. …
… Microsoft writes: This out-of-band update for Windows 11, version 25H2 and 24H2 KB5086672 is cumulative and includes updates from previous security and non-security releases. …
… Microsoft says that testing and verification of Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery will continue until August this year, aiming to deliver this feature to Windows PCs starting in September.
… Further reading: Useful Windows PowerToys features to start using
… The company is also committing to a faster, more responsive Windows... with less AI. Windows Update has remained a consistent issue, one that users have complained about since the days of Windows 10. Open Windows Update, and who knows what you'll find. A feature update? …
… Normally, Windows updates only require a single reboot. Multiple reboots are otherwise more commonly associated with major feature updates or firmware and driver updates. Here, Windows 11 may reboot twice or even three times even during a regular update. …
