Microsoft releases first test version of Windows 11, version 26H1 - but its changes may disappoint you

Microsoft released the 2025 feature update for its Windows 11 operating system less than two months ago. The new version of Windows 11 did not really impress with many new features or major changes, with the majority remaining in testing or the usual slow rollout to stable systems.

Rumors about Windows 11, version 26H1 emerged recently, mostly from inspections of pre-release code. A release of a --- supposedly -- feature update in the first half of the year would be a major change in Windows 11's release schedule. In fact, this never happened for Windows 11 before.

Veteran Windows users may get flashbacks to the early days of Windows 10 releases, when Microsoft decided to go with two feature updates each year. This put a lot of strain on IT departments and home users alike. Many decided to install only the feature update of the second half to keep their sanity.

Windows 11, version 26H1 confirmed

Microsoft confirmed the existence of Windows 11, version 26H1 just a few days ago when it released a new build to the Windows 11 Insider Preview Canary Channel. However, Microsoft added several remarks to the release in order to explain what it is doing.

The details:

• Windows 11, version 26H1 is not a feature update for Windows 11, version 25H2.
• Windows 11 continues to have an annual feature update cadence.
• The update is only for Windows 11 devices with "specific silicon".

In other words, Microsoft is introducing this non-feature update to add support for certain chips. While Microsoft does not mention which, the leaks suggested that Microsoft was targeting Snapdragon X2 Elite processors specifically with that release.

Microsoft notes that this build "should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows" and that "features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders.

All in all, this new build should not affect the majority of Windows users -- testers or stable -- in any way. The bulk continues to rely on AMD or Intel silicon, which appears to not be targeted by Microsoft with this new Windows 11, version 26H1 release.

As for what is changed in the new build: not much. Microsoft lists just a few corrections of issues, but no major changes or new features. Going forward, Microsoft is likely going to improve compatibility and support for the chips that it plans to better support with this release.

Now You: Do you run Windows 11 on your PCs? Or do you stick to an earlier version of Windows or an entirely different operating system? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

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