New Update Windows 11 26H1 is reportedly coming early next year for certain devices

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

When Microsoft released Windows 11 four years ago, it moved away from bi-annual feature updates to just one yearly feature update. As such, we received Windows 11 22H2, 23H2, 24H2, and the latest one, version 25H2. Windows 11 version 24H2 was a bit odd, with the update launching first on Copilot+ PCs and only later coming to everyone. Now, it appears that this approach is about to repeat itself.

Phantomofearth, a reliable source of Windows insights and discoveries, reports that Microsoft is preparing Windows 11 version 26H1 for a launch alongside the recently announced Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processors. The update will be exclusive to new Windows on Arm devices with Snapdragon X2 chips, and some of its features will eventually make their way to existing computers in the form of Windows 11 version 26H2 per the usual update schedule in the second half of the year.

Phantomofearth adds that version 26H1 is supposed to serve as a platform support for the new chips, and Microsoft will use it to roll out additional features that were not backported to Windows 11 version 24H2/25H2 (these two share the same branch)

Windows 11 26H1 is reportedly coming early next year for certain devices

Microsoft is reportedly working on Windows 11 version 26H1, which is a step away from the conventional version scheme. However, the update will not be available to everyone.

www.neowin.net

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Microsoft announces Windows 11 version 26H1, now available for testing

Following some rumors and code discoveries regarding Windows 11 version 26H1, Microsoft has confirmed the existence of this unconventional release, the first H1 version in Windows 11's history. Starting with the new build 28000, which is now available in the Canary Channel, Windows Insiders can test Windows 11 version 26H1 ahead of its launch.

As reported before, Windows 11 version 26H1 is not a conventional feature update. As Microsoft says in the release notes, 26H1 only includes platform changes to support specific silicon. Microsoft is not saying what exact silicon is that is supposed to be, and most likely, it is referring to the Snapdragon X2 processor family for the next-generation Copilot+ PCs.

Windows 11 version 25H2 will remain the "primary place" to get new Windows features ahead of their public rollout, and Microsoft adds that Windows 11 will stick to its annual feature update cadence. In other words, it will continue receiving one major feature update every year. Additionally, Microsoft explains that the Canary Channel is primarily made for platform changes. Therefore, new features will continue showing up first in the Dev and Beta Channels.

Microsoft announces Windows 11 version 26H1, now available for testing

It is now official: Windows 11 26H1 is coming soon, and you can now test it in the Windows Insider Program, starting with the new build 28000.

www.neowin.net

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

What is Windows 11 version 26H1?

Windows 11 version 26H1 is a special version of Windows 11 that is designed to bring up next-gen silicon from Qualcomm and NVIDIA. Microsoft says it's a release that "only includes platform changes to support specific silicon" and therefore won't ship to existing Windows 11 customers.

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 version 26H1, but it's not what you think

The next version of Windows 11 is version 26H1, but Microsoft says it won't be released as an update to version 25H2.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Parkinsond]

While 26H1 devices will receive monthly cumulative updates as usual, they will not receive 26H2, because that release is based on a "different Windows core".

Microsoft shares important information about Windows 11 26H1

Microsoft has decided to clear a few doubts about its atypical Windows 11 version 26H1 release, while also detailing some limitations about the OS.

www.neowin.net

 

[Marko :)]

Microsoft needs to get their sh!t together and start normally naming the updates. They confuse us more and more each time.

 

[Parkinsond]

Microsoft needs to get their sh!t together and start normally naming the updates. They confuse us more and more each time.

and to stop breaking things.

 

[Sammo]

Microsoft is reportedly working to fix Windows 11's most annoying flaws — wants to restore the operating system's reputation

Apparently, complaints from the Windows Insider community have reached a tipping point for Microsoft higher-ups.

www.tomshardware.com

Complaints surrounding Windows 11's buggy updates and glitchy UI have apparently finally reached the ears of Microsoft, and the company wants to do something about it in 2026. The Verge reports that Microsoft is now focusing on fixing Windows 11's core issues for the rest of the year, in a process known as "swarming".

The Verge received a statement from Windows and devices president Pavan Davuluri, who claims that feedback from Windows Insiders to fix Windows 11's core issues has been loud and clear. Davuluri further claimed that Microsoft needs to improve Windows "in ways that are meaningful for people", and this year will see Microsoft improving performance, reliability, and the "overall experience" of Windows.

 

[7Oz-64]

LOL!!!

Hot Take Post in thread 'Edge come back'

Sep 25, 2025

so i call this Frankenbuild

No, it is not; it is a preview build but most probably is the final one, as happened when Windows 11 Iot Ent LTSC was first released.

but you know that 25H2 will be replaced with 26H1 in the next few month

There is no more H1 release since 21H1; since then, it is only H2 yearly.

• Parkinsond

• 

Hot Take Post in thread 'Edge come back'

Oct 5, 2025

According to this 26h1 and 26h2 are planned https://betawiki.net/wiki/Windows_vNext
And the windows 11 LTSC versions are still on 24H2, all other editions include regular entreprise and IoT are on 25H2, so there is no need and not recommended to apply the EP to get a fake build (look at the MDL Guru, they know what they said).

26h2 may be, but 26h1 NO.

• Parkinsond

• 

[DISCUSSION] Windows 11 26H1 Build 28000 (PC) [x64/arm64 Retail - br_release]

New public updates for Win 11: 28000.1575.1.9: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/posts/1905387

forums.mydigitallife.net

 

[Brahman]

If there is no "H1" how can there be "H2"? Shouldn't H2 be named H1 ? What's wrong with Microsoft?

 

[Parkinsond]

If there is no "H1" how can there be "H2"? Shouldn't H2 be named H1 ? What's wrong with Microsoft?

MS can count as much as they could; I am stuck here with my precious IoT LTSC on 24H2.

 

[Parkinsond]

The final ISO was available 5 days ago.
Amy experience?
Faster, more stable, more features compared to 25H2?