July 2025 Windows Non-Security Preview Update: New Features & Privacy Enhancements

Windows enthusiasts and IT professionals alike mark their calendars for the monthly preview releases, and the arrival of the July 2025 Windows non-security preview update is no exception. Addressing machines running Windows 11 (versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2) and Windows 10, version 22H2, this update ushers in a suite of user-facing enhancements, quality-of-life tweaks, and the promise of a more streamlined future for the Windows ecosystem. In exploring the significant highlights, nuanced improvements, and critical perspectives on these changes, this article provides a comprehensive analysis tailored for both home users and enterprise administrators seeking depth, reliability, and actionable insight.

Stepping into the July 2025 Preview Update​

What Is a Non-Security Preview Update?​

Before diving into what's new, it's crucial to understand the nature of this update. Non-security preview updates are optional, cumulative bundles that precede the monthly "Patch Tuesday" security releases. Commonly released in the fourth week of each month (sometimes colloquially called "C-week"), these previews are Microsoft's way to deliver feature improvements and bug fixes for broad feedback before they become mandatory in subsequent security updates.
These updates do not typically include security patches, focusing instead on quality improvements, new features, performance boosts, and usability tweaks. They're instrumental for IT testers and enthusiasts who want to stay ahead or help surface potential issues before a broader audience is impacted.
For accurate installation guidance, Microsoft refers users to the official Update Windows article.

Who Receives This Update?​

The July 2025 non-security preview targets a wide spectrum:

• Windows 11 (24H2, 23H2, 22H2)
• Windows 10 (22H2)

It is accessible through traditional update mechanisms—Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, and Microsoft Update Catalog.

Update Installation Flow​

Windows 11 and Windows 10 users can retrieve this preview via Settings > Windows Update, provided they've elected to receive preview releases. For organizations, these updates can be managed and deferred according to policy. Notably, Microsoft continues to refine the delivery cadence and transparency of changes via the Windows update history pages, enhancing trust in the update process.

Highlights: Windows 11 Version 24H2 Takes the Lead​

Among the myriad of improvements, several features stand out in the July preview, especially for users at the forefront with Windows 11 24H2.

1. Recall Reset and Data Deletion—A Step Forward on Privacy​

Recall, Microsoft's much-debated system for capturing snapshots of activity and facilitating powerful system-wide search, has faced scrutiny over its data retention and privacy posture. Responding directly to user and regulatory concerns, this update introduces a clear, user-accessible method to both reset Recall and delete all associated data.

• How it works: Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots. Here, a new advanced settings page presents a reset button. Activating this will erase all Recall snapshots and restore the feature to its factory settings, directly addressing previous limitations around user data sovereignty.
• Critical perspective: While this enhanced control offers meaningful reassurance, some skeptics argue that true privacy requires not just the ability to erase, but strict default minimization and clarity over where data resides. Independent analysis by privacy watchdogs continues to push Microsoft for more granular transparency and control mechanisms. Still, the inclusion of a reset function is a verifiable, positive step.

2. Reading Coach: Click to Do for Improved Literacy​

A key addition for education and accessibility, "Practice in Reading Coach" arrives as a new "Click to Do" text action designed to help users practice reading fluency and pronunciation.

• User Experience: With simple interactions, users can engage Reading Coach to reinforce language skills, part of Microsoft's wider push to democratize learning tools across its platform.
• Analysis: This development builds on adaptive learning innovations seen in products like Immersive Reader. Initial feedback from educators spotlights its potential as a low-barrier tool for learners of diverse ages. Potential drawbacks lie in the dependence on AI's pronunciation evaluation, which has historically been less accurate with diverse accent ranges—a point Microsoft is reportedly working to improve.

3. Draft with Copilot in Word: Turn Highlights into Drafts Instantly​

For users deeply invested in productivity, "Draft with Copilot in Word" widens the reach of generative AI integration.

• How it works: At any recognized text (be it an email snippet or on-screen note), a simple press of Win + Click brings up the Draft with Copilot in Word option. Upon selection, Copilot generates a full draft, accelerating ideation and document creation.
• Strengths: This feature leverages large language models running natively or cloud-assisted, localized for data privacy, and can serve power users, students, and professionals alike. Microsoft's approach to in-context AI actions, removing friction from workflow, aligns with recent industry trends championed by multiple tech giants.
• Risks: However, such convenience is not without hazards. Overreliance on AI-generated drafts can inadvertently propagate model inaccuracies or introduce subtle bias. Microsoft highlights the need for human review, but the balance between speed and diligence remains a concern, especially in fast-paced environments.

4. Copilot+ PC Experience: A New Settings Agent​

Harnessing the hardware-accelerated Copilot+ PC capabilities, the Settings app now sports a proactive agent designed to assist in finding and changing system settings.

• What’s new: The agent is integrated into the Copilot+ PC experience, designed to intuitively guide users through configuration, improve discoverability, and reduce complexity—particularly beneficial for less technically inclined users.
• Market Context: This points to Microsoft’s ambition to redefine the daily user’s relationship with their devices via generative assistance. The Settings agent in 24H2 is a pilot for deeper platform AI integration, with plans for extensibility and third-party plugin support in the near future, as signaled by the Windows roadmap.
• Critical lens: While promising, this experiment is early stage and, by Microsoft’s own admission, remains opt-in and may evolve based on user response. Enterprises with strict change management may choose to disable or restrict such agents.

5. Streamlined Search Settings: Clarity and Usability​

Recognizing longstanding confusion over where to configure Windows Search, Microsoft has consolidated "Search permissions" and "Searching Windows" into a single page: Settings > Privacy & security > Search.

• Benefits: This reduces navigation friction and ensures critical search controls are not overlooked, enhancing user autonomy over privacy, search history, and indexing behaviors.
• Analysis: While overdue, such unification is not trivial in an OS with evolving settings architecture. This aligns with best practices in UX design and is expected to decrease misconfigurations that previously led to inconsistent or suboptimal search performance.

Feature Rollouts: Gradual Availability and Insider Impact​

Not all features hit every device at once. Microsoft continues to utilize staged, controlled rollouts leveraging AI-powered update delivery. Improvements (like those above) may first appear for some Windows Insiders, then propagate generally as telemetry and feedback confirms stability.
This model balances innovation with caution but can lead to discrepancies among user experiences. For those eager to get the latest, monitoring the Windows roadmap and participating in the Insider Program offer earlier access—though with greater expected volatility.

Windows 10: Steady Support, Subtle Gains​

While headlines swirl around Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs, Windows 10, version 22H2, remains in extended support, with the bulk of this preview update focusing on stability, compatibility, and usability improvements rather than front-line features.

• Key takeaways:
• Bug and reliability fixes cited in official release notes
• Continued compatibility enhancements for modern hardware and peripherals
• Under-the-hood improvements to the update process, telemetry, and system diagnostics
• Critical note: Microsoft’s continued attention to Windows 10 underscores its commitment to enterprise customers, educational deployments, and users on legacy hardware, even as mainstream support gradually shifts to Windows 11 and beyond.

How to Stay Updated and Prepared​

To keep pace with updates, official resources—like Windows update history and the @WindowsUpdate feed on X—serve as primary means of update verification and news. For those seeking a technical deep dive, Microsoft’s "Windows monthly updates explained" documentation offers valuable background on the types, cadence, and rationale for each release.

Install Process: What Users Should Know​

• Ensure your system is configured to receive preview updates (check Windows Update settings).
• As always, backing up critical data is advised—preview updates, though tested, may contain undiscovered issues.
• Enterprise admins can make use of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Microsoft Configuration Manager, or Intune to control deployment and rollback if needed.

Community and Expert Reactions​

Early feedback from the Windows community and enterprise IT circles suggest guarded optimism for the July 2025 preview:

• Strengths highlighted: Privacy improvements in Recall, deeper Copilot+ PC integrations, and the drive for cleaner, more discoverable settings.
• Concerns: Ongoing questions around generative AI security, potential performance overhead of new background agents, and the slow but steady deprecation of Windows 10’s most user-facing enhancements.

Anecdotal reports indicate enhanced system responsiveness for some 24H2 devices and improved indexing speed with the updated Search settings—a claim supported by early telemetry but awaiting wider confirmation as the update propagates.

Risks and Recommended Caution​

Despite their benign reputation, non-security preview updates are not risk-free. Microsoft encourages installation in test environments first, especially for critical workloads or managed business fleets. Known issues are tracked on the update history page and are routinely updated as feedback accumulates.
IT professionals note several recurring pain points:

• Residual bugs in new Copilot features may manifest as UI glitches or sporadic performance dips.
• Third-party software compatibility has occasionally lagged behind, especially with utilities that hook into new system APIs or privacy controls.
• Rollback complexity—While Windows facilitates update removal, intricate dependencies in feature updates can complicate troubleshooting for less experienced users.

Looking Forward: The Roadmap for Windows Innovation​

The July 2025 non-security preview sets the pace for the second half of the year. The Windows team’s public roadmap offers a transparent look at what’s coming for Insiders, what’s rolling out, and what’s generally available—a significant evolution from the opaque updates of Windows’ past.
Key trends signaled:

• Continued Copilot integration across system utilities, productivity apps, and hardware
• Expansion of Recall’s privacy guardrails in response to user and regulator feedback
• A unified settings and search experience that prioritizes usability and transparency
• Increased reliance on machine learning for staged feature deployment and diagnostics

Final Analysis: Navigating the New Windows Update Landscape​

The July 2025 Windows non-security preview update emerges as a multifaceted release—one that attempts to bridge user trust, productivity, and platform modernity. The blend of tangible privacy improvements, accessibility enrichments, and AI-powered smart features illustrates Microsoft’s dual commitment to innovation and user empowerment.

• Notable strengths include improved Recall privacy, unified search controls, and the onset of ambient AI assistance in the OS’s very core.
• Potential risks circle around overdependence on generative AI, sporadic early bugs, and the persistent challenge of serving an incredibly diverse hardware and user base under a unified upgrade umbrella.
• For enterprises and advanced users, the message remains clear: Embrace the promise of productivity and security, but invest in robust testing and phased rollout strategies.

As the Windows ecosystem matures, Microsoft’s openness to feedback and iterations—manifest in both the available preview channels and the visibility of upcoming features—redefines what it means to be a Windows user in the modern era. Staying informed, engaged, and judicious with updates is the most reliable path forward.
For more information and ongoing developments, readers are encouraged to reference the July 2025 release notes and participate in the broader Windows community dialogue—where the future of the world’s desktop OS continues to be shaped in real time.

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Source: Microsoft - Message Center https://support.microsoft.com/help/5062660

 

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July’s Windows non-security preview update marks a notable chapter for users across the Windows landscape, offering a suite of quality-of-life improvements, feature advancements, and greater transparency into system controls. Released for Windows 11 (24H2, 23H2, and 22H2) and Windows 10 (22H2), these updates continue Microsoft’s commitment to continuous refinement outside the traditional security-focused Patch Tuesday cycle. For everyday users and IT admins alike, the preview update introduces practical innovations—some subtle, others headline-grabbing—while underscoring Microsoft’s evolving approach to feature rollout, privacy, and AI integration.

Understanding the July 2025 Non-Security Preview Update​

Non-security preview updates, sometimes known as "C" or "D" releases, provide an opportunity for users and administrators to test upcoming fixes and features before wide deployment. By choosing to install these updates, participants act as a critical feedback loop, helping Microsoft catch issues before the full public rollout that follows in the next cumulative security update. The July 2025 update, released on July 22, aligns with this tradition by introducing a slew of enhancements—some immediately impactful, others laying the groundwork for future capabilities.

Supported Versions and Access​

This month’s update spans multiple generations:

• Windows 11 versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2
• Windows 10 version 22H2

Users can find full release notes on Microsoft’s official update history pages for Windows 11 and Windows 10, which detail exact build numbers, known issues, and steps for manual installation. For home and non-managed devices, installation is straightforward: visit Settings > Windows Update, then check for available updates. More in-depth guidance is available in the Update Windows article.

Key New Features and Improvements in Windows 11 24H2​

This update introduces a wave of enhancements, some exclusive to newer hardware and Copilot+ PCs, others more broadly available. Below, we break down the most significant additions and their implications for end users, professionals, and privacy advocates.

1. Recall Data Reset and Deletion: Privacy, Transparency, and Control​

Perhaps the most user-empowering feature debuting in 24H2 is the global reset and data wipe for Recall, Microsoft's timeline-esque feature that leverages AI-powered snapshots to help users rediscover past activities, files, and web sessions. Recall itself has courted both excitement and skepticism, with privacy campaigners and security specialists expressing concerns about the depth and permanence of the snapshots it creates.
With this update, Recall users worldwide can now:

• Visit Settings > Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots
• Access a new advanced settings panel
• Use the Reset button to delete all stored snapshots and restore Recall to its default state

This move seemingly responds to months of public pressure, offering much-needed transparency and user agency. Importantly, it aligns Microsoft with broader industry shifts prioritizing data minimization and user-initiated data control, trends accelerated by regulatory climates like the GDPR and shifting consumer expectations. Users should note, however, that this reset affects only local Recall data—backups or synced copies outside the PC’s immediate storage may require additional steps to fully purge.

2. Click to Do Text Actions: Practice in Reading Coach​

Further broadening its accessibility and learning toolkit, Microsoft has added a new "Practice in Reading Coach" action to the growing Click to Do feature set, available in 24H2. This AI-augmented tool provides real-time guidance, helping users improve reading fluency, pronunciation, and comprehension skills at their own pace.
Clicking on recognized text now offers context-aware actions; with Reading Coach, learners or those seeking to augment their English proficiency can get on-the-spot coaching. This feature supports personalized, interactive learning directly within the Windows environment, a signal of Microsoft’s continued investment in education and accessibility initiatives.

Strengths​

• On-demand assistance: Learners no longer need external reading tools; support is built-in and one click away.
• Promotes inclusivity: Particularly beneficial for English learners, dyslexic users, and those seeking reading improvement.

Potential Risks​

• Data privacy: User interactions with Reading Coach may be logged or analyzed for improvement, raising questions about opt-in transparency.
• Resource requirements: Optimal performance likely depends on Copilot+ or NPU-equipped hardware, limiting access on legacy devices.

3. Draft with Copilot in Word: Write Smarter, Not Harder​

One of the most headline-grabbing productivity enhancements ties the power of Copilot’s AI directly to on-screen text. After this update, users can highlight any recognized text (such as a snippet from an email or a web page), then press Win + Click to access a new Draft with Copilot in Word action.
This launches Word, with Copilot offered a concise, contextually aware drafting prompt. Whether you’re summarizing emails, turning meeting notes into formal documents, or expanding casual messages into full drafts, this promises to reshape workflows for office workers and students alike.

Broader Impacts​

• Boosts efficiency: Reduces time spent translating raw thoughts or fragments into formatted documents.
• Consistent quality: Leverages Microsoft’s latest generative text models for clarity and coherence.
• Privacy caveat: Any use of Copilot must be analyzed for data exposure risks; users should be aware of what information may leave their device for cloud-based AI processing, even though Copilot+ PCs are designed to perform many functions locally.

4. The Copilot+ Settings Agent: Smarter Device Management​

Another anticipated improvement in 24H2 is the Settings agent, an AI-powered assistant built into the Copilot+ PC experience. This virtual aide is engineered to help users quickly locate and update system settings, particularly as Windows’ configuration menus have grown increasingly sprawling.
Unlike the previous in-context help system, this Settings agent leverages both device context and natural-language understanding to:

• Surface relevant settings (e.g., “Turn on dark mode” or “Adjust speaker volume”)
• Offer step-by-step guidance for more complex configurations
• Learn from user habits, potentially suggesting settings based on time of day or recent activity

Critical Perspective​

While AI assistants promise increased efficiency and user-friendliness, their utility depends on continued refinement and clarity over data retention. As these agents become more deeply woven into Windows 11, Microsoft must offer clear documentation, opt-out options, and robust safeguards to reassure privacy-sensitive users.

5. Streamlined Windows Search Settings​

Users have long criticized Windows Search for confusing, overlapping settings pages—namely "Search permissions" and "Searching Windows." The July 2025 update finally merges these into one unified section: Settings > Privacy & Security > Search. All relevant search controls, permissions, and indexing options now live under a single page, easing navigation and reducing user frustration.

Update Mechanism, Installation, and Best Practices​

As with prior preview releases, the July 2025 update is delivered through Windows Update but remains optional for most users until the corresponding cumulative update is released the following month. Microsoft recommends that home users and enthusiasts opt in to preview updates only after verifying system backups and reviewing known issues on the release information pages.
For enterprise admins and IT professionals, preview deployment in test environments is advised—many organizations use these builds to validate app compatibility and update readiness before approving them company-wide.
How to Install:

• Go to Settings > Windows Update.
• Select Check for Updates.
• If eligible, the preview update will appear as an optional install.
• Review the release notes and confirm installation.

Administrators managing multiple endpoints can access deployment packages via the Microsoft Update Catalog, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or endpoints management platforms such as Intune. For detailed guidance, consult Microsoft’s official documentation.

Comparing Windows 11 and Windows 10 Updates: Divergence and Legacy Support​

While the preview updates for supported Windows 10 devices (22H2) focus mainly on minor fixes and reliability tweaks, Windows 11’s development cadence has decisively shifted toward AI-powered features and user interface refinements. This growing feature gap has become increasingly clear over the past year:

Category	Windows 11 (24H2/23H2/22H2)	Windows 10 (22H2)
Recall enhancements	Yes (24H2)	No
Copilot integration	Yes (24H2, Copilot+)	No
Streamlined Search	Yes	Limited
UI/UX improvements	Frequent	Maintenance only
Major UI features	Yes (24H2)	Unlikely

The more conservative update path for Windows 10 affirms Microsoft’s intention to push innovative, resource-intensive features exclusively to Windows 11, particularly to Copilot+ and NPU-enabled hardware. This may frustrate Windows 10 users eager for cutting-edge functionality, but it also preserves system stability for millions of business-critical devices that cannot yet transition to Windows 11.

Copilot+ PC, AI Integration, and Hardware Requirements​

A recurring theme in the July preview update is the deepening integration of AI, particularly for users on Copilot+ PCs—devices with neural processing units (NPUs) optimized for local AI inference. This distinction matters, as some features (like local Recall, advanced Copilot actions, and enhanced Reading Coach) are only available or fully performant on this new class of hardware.

Advantages of Copilot+ Integration​

• Performance: NPUs accelerate AI tasks without taxing the CPU or GPU, preserving battery life and ensuring smoother multitasking.
• Privacy: Many AI tasks, previously cloud-dependent, now run locally, reducing the volume of user data sent to external servers.
• Faster updates: Microsoft can iterate Copilot+ features separately from core OS upgrades, giving Copilot+ owners a steady stream of improvements.

Drawbacks and Considerations​

• Fragmentation: The growing chasm between Copilot+ and non-NPU devices may create an experience divide, with legacy hardware left behind.
• Transparency: Users may struggle to determine which features require Copilot+ hardware versus those available to all. Microsoft’s technical documentation, though improving, can sometimes be obtuse.
• Resource trade-offs: While local AI reduces cloud dependency, it demands more from device memory and storage—Recall, for example, may consume significant disk space.

Security and Privacy: Responding to the New Reality​

Although this month’s release is categorized as non-security, several features have strong privacy and security implications. The Recall reset option, for instance, directly addresses one of the most vocal criticisms of Microsoft’s timeline features: their potential to archive sensitive activity indefinitely. By giving users a global control to wipe this data, Microsoft acknowledges that surveillance-by-design cannot be the default in productivity operating systems.
Microsoft’s emphasis on privacy controls, both in Recall and Search settings, should be greeted as progress—but cautious optimism is warranted. Effective privacy features hinge not just on availability, but also on user understanding, default configurations, and the ability to audit and verify what data is or isn’t collected.

Areas for Concern​

• Data retention policies: There remain questions about how thoroughly deleted Recall data is purged, and whether copies exist in backup or sync services.
• Default settings: Users may still be enrolled in advanced features or logging by default unless they proactively opt out.
• Transparency on AI: While recall and Copilot+ aim for local processing, the boundary between local and cloud remains a gray area—especially for features like Draft with Copilot, which may send data to Microsoft for processing.

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Windows Users?​

The July 2025 preview update provides a revealing snapshot of how Microsoft envisions the future Windows experience: fluid, AI-powered, user-centric, and privacy-aware—at least in rhetoric. Major changes, such as those to Recall and Copilot, will likely set the tone for future development cycles. Microsoft’s Windows roadmap hints at deeper Copilot integration, ongoing user interface simplification, and expanded AI-augmented learning tools.
Windows Insiders and early adopters will be the first to experience these shifts. However, the staggered rollout strategy—with features initially offered to select audiences or Copilot+ devices—signals that transformative changes are likely to be incremental rather than overnight revolutions.

How to Stay Informed and Get Involved​

For users keen to stay ahead of Windows changes, there are several channels worth monitoring:

• Windows Update on X (formerly Twitter): Quick, official news on releases and issues.
• Microsoft Community forums: For troubleshooting, peer support, and insights on rollout quirks.
• Release Notes and Docs: The definitive source for update details, including bug lists and known issues.
• Windows Insider Program: Early access, with opportunities to provide feedback that shapes future updates.

Final Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Risks​

Strengths​

• Empowers users: Privacy controls for Recall, streamlined Search settings, accessible learning tools—all put agency back into user hands.
• AI innovation: Copilot+ integration drives Windows closer to the always-on, context-aware assistant promised by modern computing.
• Productivity leap: Draft with Copilot in Word and AI-guided settings navigation simplify everyday tasks, reducing friction for all users.

Weaknesses​

• Feature fragmentation: Copilot+ exclusives risk alienating those on older hardware; documentation sometimes lags behind feature deployment.
• Limited transparency: While privacy updates are promising, it's unclear whether all data deletion is irreversible and comprehensive.
• Opt-in clarity: Some users remain unaware of default-on features; increased onboarding prompts or documentation may be warranted.

Risks​

• Privacy trade-offs: Deepening AI integration always introduces new vectors for data exposure if controls aren’t robustly implemented and audited.
• Reliance on feedback loop: Non-security preview updates rely on user-instigated reporting—undiscovered bugs could still slip into production cycles.
• Market segmentation: As Copilot+ becomes the gold standard, budget-conscious users may face pressure to upgrade sooner than anticipated.

Conclusion​

The July 2025 Windows non-security preview update is more than a simple batch of bug fixes: it’s a statement about the direction of Windows—toward empowered users, AI-accelerated productivity, and transparent privacy options. These strengths, however, are balanced by risks of fragmentation, concerns over the thoroughness of new privacy controls, and a continual need for clear communication. As Windows hurtles into its AI-augmented future, each monthly update becomes not just a patch, but a referendum on Microsoft’s ability to innovate, safeguard, and ultimately serve its diverse user base. For now, preview participants can explore, critique, and shape what Windows will become—before the rest of the world catches up next month.

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Source: Microsoft - Message Center https://support.microsoft.com/help/5062660