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Microsoft is now testing Windows 11 preview builds that are expected to make up the next version shipping this fall. Here's what we know.
Microsoft is now hard at work on the next version of Windows 11, which is expected to ship this fall as Windows 11 version 26H2. This release will be made available as an update to all Windows 11 users on 25H2 and 24H2, and is based on the same platform release as those versions, codenamed Germanium.
That means the update will be a small enablement package style release, taking only a few minutes to download and install. This also means that 26H2 is expected to share the same featureset as 25H2 and 24H2, with the only differences being under the hood platform improvements.
Release date
(Image credit: Windows Central)
As is often the case, Microsoft is planning to ship the next version of Windows 11 in the second half of this year. Usually, the company ships new Windows 11 version updates in the September or October timeframe, and we expect the same to happen this year.
Availability will vary depending your device and region. Microsoft likes to use a "measured and phased" approach to the rolling out of new versions, which means not everyone will see the update right away.
New features
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Like with version 25H2 and 24H2, Microsoft is likely going to keep version 26H2 at feature parity with previous versions of Windows 11. That means when version 26H2 launches, there will be no new features that aren't also available on 25H2. This is because version 26H2 and 25H2 share the same platform release, codenamed Germanium.
Over time, this will likely change as the older version of Windows 11 reaches end of support. But until that happens, I suspect both versions will remain identical on the surface.
Platform changes
(Image credit: Qualcomm)
Microsoft has already confirmed that it intends to make further "behind the scenes platform changes" to Windows 11 this year, and those changes are being tested in the 26300 series builds that are expected to make up the version 26H2 release.
Unfortunately, the company hasn't said what kind of platform changes to expect. Given the recent backlash from users around faulty Windows updates, we hope Microsoft is going to focus on ensuring the platform is stable and secure as the year progresses.
Confusingly, Microsoft is also planning to ship a newer version of the Windows platform this spring with the version 26H1 release, which will only be available on new PCs shipping with next-gen Arm chips. That means Microsoft might be planning to ship two versions of 26H2 this fall, one based on Germanium for existing PCs, and another based on Bromine for next-gen Arm PCs.
We'll have to wait and see if that happens, and we'll be sure to update this article with all the relevant information if it does.
Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.
Posted Wednesday 28 January 2026 at 1:54 pm AEST (my time).
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