The annual Windows update doesn’t add a plethora of new capabilities, but it catches everyone up with interim features from the past year and extends the OS’s support time frame.
Windows users—many of whom perennially grumble about the addition of new features to the operating system—can breathe a sigh of relief. This year’s “major” Windows update, version 25H2, which will likely bear the official moniker of Windows 11 2025 Update, doesn’t introduce any end-user capabilities beyond those that have already become available to 2024’s major 24H2 version via interim updates. How, you might ask, is this good? Well, the dearth of new functionality means 25H2 won’t create any compatibility nightmares or require a lengthy install process with multiple restarts.
The reason for the quick and seamless installation is that the actual features are likely already present on your system; Microsoft has been delivering new features in a dormant state via monthly security and stability updates over the past year. (The company started using this strategy back in 2019 with Windows 10.) When you update to 25H2, you simply trigger an “enablement package,” which turns on said features.
Note that if you clicked the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” checkbox in Windows’ Update settings, the new features might already be active on your system, depending on its hardware specs. Microsoft now embraces « continuous innovation », meaning it puts out new features when they’re ready rather than saving them for a big annual release. Although that means you can technically get the latest features on your machine without moving to 25H2, I still advise you to upgrade when you can, since vital code-tightening, security, and stability updates come along with the new OS version. It also extends your system’s support time frame (more on that below).When Will Windows 11 25H2 Launch?
Windows 25H2 is already available in the Windows Insider Release Preview channel. This is the most stable option among Insider channels; the Beta, Dev, and Canary channels are progressively more forward-looking and untested. As far as the general release, the Windows blog says that it will occur “later this calendar year.” In previous years, the company released major updates in late September or early October.
