- Windows 11 26H2 will be an enablement package update based on Germanium, planned for autumn and aimed at most PCs with Intel and AMD processors.
- Version 26H1 is reserved for new ARM devices with Snapdragon X2 chips, while 25H2 remains the active branch that receives features in the short term.
- Copilot gains presence in File Explorer and on the taskbar with Ask Copilot, along with visual improvements such as the new Calendar, the modernized Run dialog box, and full-screen gaming mode.
- Microsoft is driving Operation Swarm to prioritize software stability and quality, aiming to make 26H2 a more reliable and robust version.
For months now, Windows 11 26H2 The rumors are growing stronger amid leaks, Insider builds, and hidden references in Windows Update. It's not just another update: for many PCs, it will be the next major step in the Windows 11 lifecycle, while Microsoft rules out, at least for now, making the leap to a hypothetical Windows 12.
In this guide I'm going to tell you in detail What is Windows 11 26H2 really?How does it differ from the mysterious 26H1 build? What release date is Microsoft considering? What specific new features are being tested (especially regarding Copilot and AI)? And how can you already start experimenting with its functions through the Insider program? The idea is that when it reaches the stable channel, you'll have a very clear understanding of what to expect and why it matters.
What is Windows 11 26H2 and when will it arrive?
The first key to understanding this version is that 2026 will not be the year of Windows 12Despite the rumors, Microsoft has opted to extend the life of Windows 11 with a new fall update, identified as 26H2, following the H1/H2 semi-annual releases to which he has already accustomed us.
In the most recent compilations of Windows Insider programExplicit references to a enablement package associated with Windows 11 26H2. This confirms that we are not dealing with a simple cumulative update, but with a feature update prepared to be released via an enablement package.
This approach implies that the most of the 26H2 code It will already be on your computer weeks or months in advance, distributed as regular maintenance updates. When Microsoft decides to release it, the enablement package will act as a "key" that instantly activates the new features, with a very quick installation and no need to reinstall the system from scratch.
The launch window being considered points to late 2026, probably in OctoberThe rollout will be phased in waves. As before, not all computers will receive 26H2 on the same day: the pace will depend on compatibility, telemetry, and any issues detected in the first updated systems.
Internally, Windows 11 26H2 relies on the same technical foundation as 24H2 and 25H2Known as germaniumThis reinforces the idea of a continuationist update, focused on polishing and expanding what already exists rather than breaking with the past.
26H2 vs 26H1: why there are two versions and which one you get
One of the points that is confusing people the most is the coexistence of Windows 11 26H1 and 26H2You may have read that 26H1 "is already coming out," and that's true, but there's a catch: it's not an update designed for PCs that are already on the market.
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 26H1 is reserved for new computers with ARM processorsespecially those based on the new generation of Snapdragon X2 chips and other upcoming Arm CPUs. It's a version that will come pre-installed on those devices, with a different internal base called Bromine, optimized for that architecture.
For the vast majority of users who have a PC with Intel or AMD processor (x86/x64)The relevant version will be Windows 11 26H2. This is the general update that will be rolled out via Windows Update to existing installations, following the usual H2 model from previous years.
Meanwhile Windows 11 25H2 It remains the main branch which is currently receiving the new features as they are being finalized. 26H1 and 26H2 coexist on the calendar, but with very different objectives: one to boost the new generation of ARM PCs and the other to keep the huge stock of traditional computers up to date.
In practice, this inaugurates a kind of dual strategy within Windows 11One line focused on Germanium for x86/x64 and another on Bromine for next-generation ARM. This fork is likely to remain in place for at least several upgrade cycles.
What's new in Windows 11 26H2: AI as the silent protagonist
Although 26H2 doesn't aim to revolutionize the interface or change the way Windows is used overnight, it does include a good number of features. improvements linked to artificial intelligence The modernization of classic system components is already underway. Many of these features are already appearing in Insider builds, although some may remain in testing or be delayed.
Copilot integrated into File Explorer
One of the most striking changes is the arrival of Copilot to File ExplorerMicrosoft is experimenting with a side panel, similar to the preview panel, from which you can chat with the assistant depending on the file or folder you have selected.
The idea is to allow that Copilot analyzes documents, summarizes content, suggests actions (such as compressing, moving, or renaming files) or help you locate information using natural language without having to manually open each file. Everything would be done from within Explorer itself, making it a smarter workspace. This type of integration raises reasonable concerns about the impact on performance and resource consumptionBecause Explorer is one of the tools we use most and should remain responsive. For now, these features are in the testing phase, and Microsoft will likely offer options to control their behavior or even disable them in more conservative environments.
Ask Copilot: New search from the taskbar
Another important area is the taskbar. The classic Windows search will be transformed into an experience called Ask Copilot (which in Spanish we will see as "Ask Copilot"), based on the same local search index as always, but with an AI layer on top.
The objective is to offer a cleaner and smoother interfacewhere you can not only search for files, applications or settings, but also issue complex commands to the system: switch to dark mode, configure a different power profile, open a specific folder, manage notifications or even start longer workflows.
Behind this approach lies the concept of Agentic AIThese are experimental features where Copilot can operate more autonomously for routine tasks: organizing documents, suggesting reminders, scheduling appointments, or making minor configuration changes for you. These capabilities will be disabled by default, and the user will have to decide whether to enable them.
Visual tweaks and interface changes in 26H2
It's not all about artificial intelligence. Windows 11 26H2 also brings back beloved features from previous versions and introduces visual retouching requested for years, many of them linked to the more modern design language of WinUI and effects like Mica.
Return the Calendar view to the notifications area
If you missed that Integrated agenda on the Windows 10 clockYou're in luck. In 26 hours, the Notification Center will once again offer a calendar view of your events, this time directly connected to Outlook.
The difference compared to the classic Windows 10 implementation is that it now relies on webview2The Edge-based technology that Microsoft uses to render web interfaces within the system allows for greater consistency with other modern applications, but can also involve... slightly higher RAM consumption compared to the previous, more native version.
Despite this cost in resources, the integration with Outlook and the rest of the Microsoft 365 services makes this new Agenda much more sense in an environment where productivity relies so heavily on the cloud.
The historic painting "Execute" is being renewed.
Another detail that will make veteran users smile is the updated dialog box. Run (Win + R)which had looked virtually the same for decades. In the test builds, this component finally adopts the modern aesthetic of Windows 11.
The new Run dialog box uses WinUI and the Mica effectwith rounded edges, soft transparencies, and a much more seamless integration with the rest of the system. Beyond the aesthetics, small extras are expected, such as a more visual command history or smart suggestions that help you repeat frequent actions without typing everything again.
It's a seemingly minor change, but it fits with the intention of eliminate inherited visual "residues" from older versions and offer a more homogeneous experience throughout the interface.
New full-screen mode focused on Xbox and games
Thinking about users who use their PC as if it were a console or in the Windows-based handheld consolesMicrosoft is working on a new full-screen experience that replaces the traditional desktop with an Xbox-style interface.
This experience is supported by the Xbox app and features a home screen optimized for controllersIdeal for managing the system from the couch or on devices where a keyboard and mouse aren't the primary option. Although initially designed for laptops, it's possible it will eventually be available for all types of computers.
Quality, stability and the so-called "Operation Swarm"
Beyond the functions, there is a fundamental issue that concerns the community as much or even more: the quality of Windows 11 updatesThe last few months have been marked by problematic patches, errors that cause restarts, File Explorer failures and regressions in components that seemed to be stabilized.
Aware of the erosion of trust, Microsoft has internally launched an initiative known as swarming or swarm operationIt consists of regrouping teams of engineers from different areas so that they can focus, for a period of time, on intensively attacking the most critical bugs and performance issues that users suffer the most.
The promise from Windows' leadership, headed by Pavan Davuluri, is put stability ahead of flashy new featuresespecially regarding AI integration. The goal is to launch 26H2 with a much more robust foundation than some recent versions.
In this context, Windows 11 26H2 is shaping up less as a showcase of spectacular features and more as a strategic transition versionIt keeps the system moving, reinforces the commitment to Copilot, and prepares the ground for future changes without forcing a generational leap yet.
A quiet but key update for the future of Windows 11
Looking at the whole picture, Windows 11 26H2 is an update that It matters more for the context than for the list of visible changesIts nature as an enablement package, the shared Germanium base with 24H2, and its coexistence with 26H1 for ARM, outline a stage of controlled continuity in which Microsoft wants to stabilize the platform while continuing to push its AI strategy.
For most users with Intel or AMD PCs, 26H2 will be a relatively quiet updateImprovements to Copilot and search, the return of the Calendar integrated with Outlook, a facelift for classic tools like Run, and a somewhat more consistent experience for those who play games or use the system with a controller.
Behind it all, however, lies the great battle of these years: Regaining confidence in Windows updatesAfter so many patches that have come with unwanted side effects, the best news that 26H2 could bring is not a new AI panel, but something much simpler: that it installs quickly, doesn't break anything important, and allows you to continue working or playing without any surprises.
If Microsoft succeeds in making Windows 11 26H2 synonymous with solidity, continuity and lower risk of errorsIt is very likely that this version will become the benchmark for many users and companies who have been waiting for a long time for a Windows 11 edition that can finally be trusted without constantly looking at the "uninstall update" button.
