Microsoft says Windows 11 26H2 is coming soon, details upgrade process

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H2 will be the next feature update and that devices running Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 will be able to upgrade using a small enablement package.

The announcement comes as Microsoft begins testing Windows 11 version 26H2 with Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel.

"The next annual update for Windows 11 is coming soon and is already available to Windows Insiders!," announced Microsoft.

"Windows 11, version 26H2 continues our focus on delivering a predictable, low-disruption update experience for organizations and IT professionals."

Windows releases with an "H2" designation are typically launched during the second half of the year.

In a coordinated announcement, Microsoft also published a new whitepaper detailing its shared servicing model, confirming that Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2 all share the same servicing branch.

Because these releases share the same underlying source code, security updates, and testing baseline, Microsoft can deliver the upgrade through a small enablement package (eKB) that activates dormant features already on the device.

According to Microsoft, devices running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 can upgrade directly to 26H2 through this enablement package, requiring only a quick restart. Once installed, the update enables the new feature set and changes the operating system's build number to 26300.

However, systems running Windows 11 23H2 and older releases do not share the same servicing branch and will require the full update.

This full upgrade path requires 6.5 GB of download data, while the enablement package is only 174 KB.

Microsoft has not announced any changes to Windows 11's hardware requirements as part of the 26H2 release.

The company has not yet announced when Windows 11 26H2 will become generally available, but previous H2 updates were released in the fall.