Microsoft late last week confirmed this year's update to Windows 11, version 26H2. This update would be exclusive to PCs powered by x86-64 processors (compatible processors from Intel and AMD); as devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite and NVIDIA RTX Spark are now on a separate update trunk. If you recall, the company earlier this year released Windows 11 26H1, but the update was exclusive to Windows-on-Arm devices, mainly powered by Snapdragon chips. Although announced at Computex, notebooks and mini PCs powered by RTX Spark aren't currently available, and will be released to market this Fall. OEMs will launch them with Windows 11 26H1.

Windows 11 26H2 won't be a major update involving a total replacement of all system files and migration of the user's environment; rather, it will be a minor update since 26H2 is based on the same code base as 25H2. The update would be effortless, take no longer than a typical monthly Patch Tuesday update, and simply roll up security and quality updates released till that time. The update to 26H2 will be recommended because Windows will release security updates to Windows 11 versions going back two years—in this case, 24H2 and 25H2 besides 26H2. Businesses looking to lock in on a particular version would have to look out for Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC versions, which lock on to a particular kernel code base, and gather security updates until a specified date in the future.