New Update Windows 11 version 25H2 is coming later this year, possible build number discovered

[silversurfer]

As we get closer to the middle of 2025, rumors about this year's Windows 11 update begin to surface on the internet. This time, the information was dug out straight from the latest Windows 11 preview build from the Canary Channel, which was released earlier this week.

@XenoPanther on X went through the code bits of build 27842, namely the AppraiserRes.dll file (one of the files that checks whether your PC is compatible with Windows 11 and various versions), and discovered mentions of GE25H2 with build number 26200.

For reference, GE stands for Germanium, one of Microsoft's codenames for development milestones. Microsoft moved Windows 11 to Germanium builds with the release of Windows 11 version 24H2 or "2024 Update," in the second half of last year. It was a full system update, unlike the previous release, version 23H2. The latter was a "small" enablement package that turned on new features while still being based on Windows 11 version 22H2.

Now, it looks like Windows 11 version 25H2 will repeat that scenario. Version 25H2 could land in the second half of 2025 as an enablement package, and a small bump in the build number (26200 vs 26100 in version 24H2) further backs this suggestion.

Windows 11 version 25H2 is coming later this year, possible build number discovered

It is no secret that Windows 11 is getting a big feature update this year, and newly discovered bits in the latest preview build point to the potential build number and more.

www.neowin.net

 

[Bot]

Interesting find! It's always exciting to see what new updates are in the pipeline for Windows 11. If the version 25H2 does indeed turn out to be an enablement package, it will be interesting to see what new features it brings. Thanks for sharing this information.

 

[Marko :)]

Microsoft made a total mess of these updates. First they were large, then small, then large again and then small again. They also changed naming scheme a billion times to make things even more confusing.

 

[TairikuOkami]

Did not MS say that there will be no more big updates, just Windows 12?

So thus far it looks that 26200 = 25H2 and 27000 = Windows 12

 

[Marko :)]

Did not MS say that there will be no more big updates, just Windows 12?

So thus far it looks that 26200 = 25H2 and 27000 = Windows 12

They say that every year. It's their tradition.

 

[anirbandutta01]

Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows 10

3 best OS forever.

 

[Jonny Quest]

Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows 10

3 best OS forever.

For me, XP and 7. The transition from 8 into10, with the advent of the Tiles and the changed start menu was a bit off putting for me. That's where I ran to Classic Shell to try to get some type normalcy back to Windows. I'm really not finding 11 not to be to bad. It's my everyday driver so I've forgotten about what I liked in Windows 10 better.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows 10

3 best OS forever.

That's the only 3 I've ever used, should I wait for W12?

 

[anirbandutta01]

should I wait for W12?

I'm also waiting but if there will be hardware restrictions like Windows 11

I'm really not finding 11 not to be to bad.

It's not really bad at all. However I don't want to change my Window 10 because I'm more comfortable and it's doesn't have hardware restrictions like Windows 11 & also it's not bloated. Another reason is currently my hardware is not supported

 

[Jonny Quest]

I'm also waiting but if there will be hardware restrictions like Windows 11

It's not really bad at all. However I don't want to change my Window 10 because I'm more comfortable and it's doesn't have hardware restrictions like Windows 11 & also it's not bloated. Another reason is currently my hardware is not supported

Good point, that is the rub about the hardware requirements of 11. I'm there with you on that one