• 2 min read
Windows 11 adds PC-wide undo with Point-in-Time Restore
Microsoft’s July 2026 Windows 11 update adds Point-in-Time Restore, a new recovery tool with snapshots every 4 to 24 hours kept for 72 hours.
Image: PCWorld
Microsoft’s July 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 adds a notable new recovery feature: Point-in-Time Restore (PITR). Included in update KB5101650 for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, PITR lets users roll back their entire system using recurring snapshots taken every 4 to 24 hours.
According to PCWorld, the feature works like a broader version of System Restore. It creates a full backup of the system and can restore not just settings, but also local files and apps. The tradeoff is retention: snapshots are stored for only 72 hours, so PITR is aimed at short-term recovery after updates or major system changes rather than long-term backup.
Microsoft first introduced PITR in Insider builds and, as PCWorld notes, the feature was first reported in November 2025. It is now starting to reach public versions of Windows 11.
The same patch also brings several quality-of-life changes. Users can now pause Windows updates for up to 35 days through a calendar entry. PCWorld says Microsoft warns against delaying updates too long because newly discovered Windows vulnerabilities can be exploited quickly.
Recommended reading
OpenAI’s first gadget is a $230 coding keypad
Other changes in the rollout include:
- Widgets no longer opening on mouse hover
- A more minimized display for taskbar notifications and icons
- Faster File Explorer startup and quicker disk image mounting
- A range of Bluetooth improvements
- Additional tweaks for screen tinting, internet printing, voice control, and voice input
Microsoft is rolling out these features gradually to compatible PCs, so installing the July 2026 update does not guarantee every non-security feature will appear immediately. The security fixes, however, are being delivered to all systems right away.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via PCWorld
