Who would have guessed? The next major feature update for Windows 11 is, drum roll, version 26H2. It is a continuation of Microsoft’s current strategy of releasing one major update for its Windows 11 operating system each year.
But what about Windows 11 version 26H1 you may ask? Did not Microsoft release it this year already? Yes and no, actually. While it is true that Microsoft did indeed release Windows 11 version 26h1, it was neither a full-blown feature update nor a widespread release.
First released on February 10, 2026, it was designed specifically to support new hardware. Originally designed for the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 chip, it will also support Nvidia RTX Spark silicon.
The update is pre-installed exclusively on devices that are powered by these chips. There is no direct upgrade path for existing Windows systems that use hardware from Intel or AMD.
Windows 11, version 26H2 release information
The next feature update for Windows 11 will install as quickly as any other update, as it is based on the same servicing model as Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. This means, that it will install fast on any device that runs these versions of Windows 11.
The same is not true for older Windows 11 versions or upgrades from Windows 10. These will take longer to install and will require multiple restarts.
Interestingly enough, devices that run Windows 11, version 26H1 won’t receive the feature update. Microsoft will likely release version 27H1 for them in the first half of 2027.
Regarding support, Windows 11, version 26H2 is supported for 24 or 36 months, depending on the version:
- 24 months of support for Home, Pro, Pro EDU, and Pro for Workstations editions
- 36 months of support for Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise Multi-session editions
As always, it is a good idea to skip the update in the beginning. The main reason are undiscovered bugs and issues. All previous Windows 11 feature updates had bugs and some of them were discovered after release. So, to reduce the risk of problems while installing the new version or running it on PC, it is recommended to wait.