New Update Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H2, urges IT admins to prepare for release

[Brahman]

26H2 is an enablement package, but it only appears if you have installed the September 22 preview update (KB5124010).
So we know who has installed that preview.

You can manually install the enablement package directly, there is no need to install any preview updates. You can download it from here (Windows 11 version 26H2 build 26300.9550 now generally available)

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

All up to date with preview & no 26H2 so no connection , though I like the start menu changes etc


View attachment 300373

Yes, they're also planning a phased rollout.
So 26H2 won't be available right away to everyone who has installed the preview update.

 

[Sorrento]

Interestingly, on the MS site regarding 26H2 enablement it does say:

'Prerequisites

Before updating to Windows 11, version 26H2 using this enablement package, you must be running Windows 11, version 24H2 or Windows 11, version 25H2. You must have the following prerequisite installed before applying this update:

September 22, 2026—KB5124010 (OS Builds 26100.9546) Preview or a later cumulative update'

I did download the enablement package, & it installed OK, I will be interested if I can install this without the preview?

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

Interestingly, on the MS site regarding 26H2 enablement it does say:

'Prerequisites

Before updating to Windows 11, version 26H2 using this enablement package, you must be running Windows 11, version 24H2 or Windows 11, version 25H2. You must have the following prerequisite installed before applying this update:

September 22, 2026—KB5124010 (OS Builds 26100.9546) Preview or a later cumulative update'

I did download the enablement package, & it installed OK, I will be interested if I can install this without the preview?

If you have downloaded Windows11.0-KB5121794-x64_5e20a3cce48d6611b16bdec42b07167f5456586a.msu and installed the optional update from September 22, you can install it manually by click on the file.... .

 

[Berny]

Also , the Windows 26H2 update is delivered as an enablement package that is enabling features that are pending in a previous Windows OS version, so 26H2 does not require downloading a complete new Windows image and that’s why the installation is performing very quickly.

 

[Sorrento]

You can install the enablement package without the preview, with 26H2 the start menu /taskbar changes etc are there, the preview has nothing to do with 26H2 as others mentioned - All OK

 

[Brahman]

Interestingly, on the MS site regarding 26H2 enablement it does say:

'Prerequisites

Before updating to Windows 11, version 26H2 using this enablement package, you must be running Windows 11, version 24H2 or Windows 11, version 25H2. You must have the following prerequisite installed before applying this update:

September 22, 2026—KB5124010 (OS Builds 26100.9546) Preview or a later cumulative update'

I did download the enablement package, & it installed OK, I will be interested if I can install this without the preview?

Microsoft's 26H2 enablement-package KB says the prerequisite as "26100.9546", while the actual September 22 cumulative preview is 26100.9550. That suggests the prerequisite is really about having the required servicing/component baseline, rather than specifically requiring you to have installed the September 22 Preview package itself. (KB5121794: Feature update to Windows 11, version 26H2 by using an enablement package | Microsoft Support)

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

Forum members who want to upgrade to 26H2 with e-package can do so here:

Windows 11 26H2 is now available to download as a final enablement package

(It was updated on September 29).
I ran the Enablement Package without any issues.

 

[n8chavez]

I have to admit, my system feels a bit snappier after the 26h2 update. CPU usage hasn't really gone down, but memory usage has. Also, it uses about 5-6gb less of disk space. I haven't experienced any negative aspects of 26h2, but I just updated last night.

 

[stonjean633]

I have to admit, my system feels a bit snappier after the 26h2 update. CPU usage hasn't really gone down, but memory usage has. Also, it uses about 5-6gb less of disk space. I haven't experienced any negative aspects of 26h2, but I just updated last night.

Good to hear. Enough reasons for me to do a Clean Install on my Win11.

 

[n8chavez]

Good to hear. Enough reasons for me to do a Clean Install on my Win11.

Please image beforehand, just in case.

 

[Sorrento]

I really like the start menu changes, great not to have all installed apps & the associated folders showing, along with improvements here & there in design, + I can hide my account details, looks much better, but I am a bit of a GUI freak, considering some treatment for it

 

[AFEH]

I really like the start menu changes, great not to have all installed apps & the associated folders showing, along with improvements here & there in design, + I can hide my account details, looks much better, but I am a bit of a GUI freak, considering some treatment for it

Did not get yet, but taskbar position change is there.

 

[Sorrento]

Did not get yet, but taskbar position change is there.

You might have???

 

[AFEH]

You might have???


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This is mine

 

[JitzyJT]

More AI this and that

 

[n8chavez]

....and the award for the most helpful comment on the internet goes to...this guy ^

 

[AFEH]

More AI this and that

Uninstalled Copilot and disabled the AI service.

 

[Sorrento]

Updated a friends laptop this morning to 26H2 & some features such as Start menu changes are not there so different for some? He don't mind though

 

[Miraculix]

I haven't noticed any difference in the Start menu. However, I rarely use it anyway, since I have desktop icons for all the programs I use regularly.