- 25H2 arrives as an enablement package, sharing base and patches with 24H2.
- Available in Release Preview (Build 26200.5074) and earlier in Dev, with deployment in “finder” mode.
- Small but key changes: retirement of PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC, and more IT control over pre-installed apps.
- Requirements remain unchanged; Copilot+ requires a powerful NPU, and the update will be free for valid licenses.
Microsoft has already planned the next annual update for its system, Windows 11 25H2. Although it doesn't represent a radical change, Yes, it marks a milestone in the cycle and preparation for its general deployment., with measured changes aimed at stability and management.
In this release, the company recovers the formula of enablement package: the functions have been incorporated in the background and will be activated with a brief update, minimizing downtime and risks to work equipment.
What is Windows 11 25H2 and where is it at?
Windows 11 25H2 is the new annual system feature release.. Has passed through theDev Channel (where even the About section labeled the system as 25H2) and today is available in the Release Preview Channel with Build 26200.5074 for those who manually check for the update on Windows Update.
Its distribution will be a enablement package (eKB), so 25H2 and 24H2 share service branch and KB packages. This approach prioritizes a quick installation —usually a reboot is enough— versus a complete reinstallation of the operating system.
For companies, validation is now open through Windows Update for Business, WSUS and Azure MarketplaceMicrosoft has also indicated that it will release official ISO images to facilitate clean installations and testing on virtual machines.
In terms of life cycle, 25H2 resets the installation support counter, ensuring two additional years of security patches on Home/Pro editions and three on Enterprise/Education.
How to test and install the preview
The most direct method is to join the Windows Insider Program. In Settings > Windows Update, turn on the Release Preview Channel, Check for updates and accept the installation of the new version when the 25H2 banner appears..
If you are already on the 26100.5074 (24H2) branch, you can use the KB5054156 enablement package To activate build 26200.5074, after applying the eKB, confirm the version with the "winver" command from the Run box.
For those who prefer ISO: Microsoft will publish Official ISOs of 25H2 for clean installs or testing on a VM. While waiting for them to arrive, it's possible to generate a semi-official image using UUP Dump, which downloads the packages from Microsoft's servers and creates the ISO locally.
To install, you can mount the ISO in a virtual machine or create a USB with tools like Rufus. It is recommended to use test equipment, since this is software still being validated and specific incidents may occur.
What's new and changed: small improvements with impact
25H2 doesn't redesign the system or introduce major features all at once. Its mission is to consolidate improvements and component cleanup, in addition to continuing the delivery of features in waves through monthly patches.
Among the confirmed changes, Microsoft withdraws PowerShell 2.0 and the WMIC command line, technologies considered obsolete. In parallel, it offers IT administrators the option of uninstall certain pre-installed apps from Microsoft Store using group policies or MDM.
On the functional level, the company continues to push for discrete advances in performance and efficiency: improvements in low-consumption states (C-states), memory management settings and idle throttling options that reduce power consumption and extend battery life.
Compatibility with is also being worked on recent hardware (Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio), in addition to interface tweaks such as smaller buttons on the taskbar, tweaks to the Start menu, and greater consistency in Settings.
Requirements, Copilot+ and price
By sharing base with 24H2, the general requirements do not change to update to 25H2. If your computer supports 24H2, you'll be able to install this version when it's released to the public.
For advanced Copilot+ features, Microsoft requires a NPU with more than 40 TOPS to run local AI with lower power consumption and greater privacy. This acceleration is leveraged by Co-Creator in Paint, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, and Recall, among others. More details on Copilot+ integration and use can be found in specialized articles from Microsoft and partners.
Capabilities such as: AI-enhanced search, faster contextual actions ("click to do") or Super Resolution in Photos from Microsoft. Its activation will be gradual and will be enabled when appropriate.
The update to 25H2 will be free for valid Windows 11 licenses, and also for those migrating from Windows 10 with a legitimate key. Official license prices remain at €145 (Home) and €259 (Pro) for new purchases.
Schedule, support and release horizon
In June the ID jump to 25H2 was detected on the Dev Channel and, at the end of August, the version went to Release Preview, the prelude to general deployment. The roadmap aims for widespread availability after the summer, traditionally around October.
The Home and Pro editions will feature 24 months of support since his release, while Enterprise and Education will have 36 monthsThe end of Windows 10 support continues to fuel speculation about future evolutions of the platform, although there are no official announcements on new major versions.
With an enabling package format and a clear focus on stability, 25H2 is shaping up to be a pragmatic update: few visible changes, a lot of fine-tuning, more control for administrators, and a revamped service cycle to achieve stable deployment with the least possible disruption.
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