Windows 10: Windows 11 August 2026 Update Adds AI Model Uninstall, Windows Hello ESS for External...

Microsoft is expected to release the Windows 11 August 2026 Security Update on Tuesday, August 11. This update introduces the option to uninstall the Image Generation AI model, adds Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security for external fingerprint sensors, and provides new touchpad gestures.

It applies to Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, which are identical, and also brings updates to File Explorer, Windows Search, Widgets, power settings, and Windows Update. Microsoft will deploy these features gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout.

Due to the staged rollout, some features may not be available immediately after installation.

AI Model Uninstall and Enhanced Sign-in Security


Microsoft is adding the option to uninstall the Image Generation AI model via Settings, then System, then AI Components. While users still cannot disable all AI features at once, this update allows removal of a specific AI component for the first time.

The update extends Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security to external fingerprint sensors. Standard Windows Hello encrypts sign-in data, while Enhanced Sign-in Security isolates biometric processes in a secure memory space separate from the operating system.

Previously, this feature was limited to devices with built-in sensors, such as Copilot+ PCs. The August update now supports external peripherals. Access this option through Settings, then Accounts, then Sign-in options.

Touchpad, Voice Access, File Explorer, and Search Updates


In Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Touchpad, users can adjust scroll and zoom gesture speeds and enable accelerated scrolling, which increases speed with repeated gestures.

In Voice Typing, Fluid Dictation is now deactivated by default, with added tooltips for explanation. Voice Access introduces Voice Isolation to improve speech recognition by filtering background noise and other speakers.

Under Settings, then Voice Access, then Improve speech recognition, users can choose from three options: Voice Isolation, which requires a one-time setup and filters both background noise and nearby conversations; Remove background noise only, which suppresses sounds like typing or doors closing without setup; and No filtering, which uses the microphone input without processing.

In File Explorer's Details view, file sizes now display appropriate units such as KB, MB, and GB instead of showing every value in kilobytes. Middle-click now opens a folder in a new tab from the address bar and Home page. Microsoft also fixed a gray flash bug on loading and scrolling on the Home page and improved thumbnail quality in the Recommended section.

Windows Search now better handles typos and supports two-character queries. App searches more accurately recognize partial names and typos, and the Settings app search now ranks relevant options higher.

Widgets, Account Control, Power, and Update Changes


On the Lock screen, only the Weather widget will appear by default, which Windows Central describes as less distracting. Taskbar notification badges now use the current accent color instead of red.

The Account Control flyout, accessed by clicking the profile button in the Start menu, now features a redesigned badge showing the current plan and status, as well as access to plan benefits and information like OneDrive storage usage.

For power settings, Microsoft states that customizations to display timeouts, sleep and hibernate timers, and laptop lid actions are now automatically applied to every power plan rather than only the active one. The ability to configure the battery percentage for Energy Saver is also returning to the Power & battery settings.

Windows Update now provides more accurate progress estimates, and the post-update cleanup process has been improved for better system performance. Users will also notice enhanced system sounds in dark mode after installing the update.

How to Access the New Settings and Availability


After the update installs, the main new options are located in these settings:

1. Open Settings, then System, then AI Components, to uninstall the Image Generation AI model.
2. Open Settings, then Accounts, then Sign-in options, to enable Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security with an external fingerprint sensor.
3. Open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Touchpad, to set scroll and zoom speed and enable accelerated scrolling.
4. Open Settings, then Voice Access, then Improve speech recognition, to configure Voice Isolation and background noise filtering.
5. Open Settings, then Power & battery, to set the Energy Saver battery percentage, now applied across all power plans.

The August 2026 Security Update is expected on August 11 for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. Microsoft is using Controlled Feature Rollout, so features will appear gradually rather than all at once, and some may take time to reach a given device.

Windows Central recommends waiting a few days before installing on a primary computer unless the security fixes are needed immediately, since monthly updates occasionally introduce unexpected issues.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 11 August 2026 Update Adds AI Model Uninstall, Windows Hello ESS for External Sensors, and Touchpad Gestures appeared first on gHacks.

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Source: VR-Zone

 

August 2017 updated created problems with Windows Mail AGAIN!!

We appreciate your response and the efforts that you've done. Since the System File Checker tool and resetting the app didn't work, we suggest that you uninstall the update that happened on August 2, 2017. Once done, check the Mail app if it's acting the
same. Simply follow these steps to uninstall an update:

• Click on the Windows icon, then search for Check for updates.
• Under Check for updates, click on Update history.
• Click on Uninstall updates.
• Once done, look for any Security Update for Microsoft Windows and uninstall them.

If the Mail app started to work properly, it will be best if you defer the feature updates until the next patch.

We're looking forward to your feedback.

 

windows automatic updates

i have some questions about the windows automatic updates in windows xp pro w sp/2. ive got about forty updates they recommend , mostly for security but i only installed two today. after installing them i found them in my add/remove programs in the control panel, if i add all these updates that is a lot of space on my hd almost 1 gig. i thought that updates just updated files and not created new programs. should i innore all these update suggestions from microsoft?