The first major release of Windows 11 for 2026 has arrived, as Windows 26H1.However, it won't be rolled out to any existing PCs, and it will only exist as a starting point for specific new PCs.You might remember the Snapdragon X2 Elite series, which was announced in September 2025 as Qualcomm's new Windows PC laptop chips, competing with CPUs from Intel and AMD.
The first wave of laptops with Snapdragon X2 chips are about to hit store shelves, but they need an updated build of Windows 11, which Microsoft has now labelled as Windows 11 26H1.Windows 11 26H1 will only be available on new devices with the Snapdragon X2 series, with no direct upgrade path for existing PCs running Windows 11 25H2 or earlier versions.Microsoft says the new release has "a different Windows core than Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2, and the upcoming feature update." It has no new features besides hardware support for Qualcomm's new chips, so you're not missing out on anything exciting.
If you have a PC with the current version of Windows 11, you will get the next major Windows release coming later this year, which will probably be 26H2.Security patches and feature updates will also continue as normal for both normal PCs and Snapdragon X2-based PCs.The strangest part is that Snapdragon X2 PCs will receive the 26H2 update later this year, like all other PCs.
Instead, Microsoft will unify the two branches "in a future Windows release." So, at least until sometime in 2027, Snapdragon X2-based PCs will be on a different build of Windows than everyone else.Most of the same features and apps should be available on both versions, though.Microsoft said in an announcement to IT professionals, "Windows 11, version 26H1 should not impact your current Windows deployment and purchasing strategy.
There is no benefit to waiting or deferring plans based on version 26H1, unless you are specifically targeting adoption of devices with silicon that requires such." It's important to note that the Windows 11 release number doesn't matter all that much, especially if you're not an IT person deploying fleets of PCs.Most changes to features, drivers, and other system components are delivered individually through Windows Update, and the build number just changes which features are active.The major 25H2 update from last year was less than 1MB.
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In summary, your PC won't get Windows 11 26H1, but it doesn't need that update.You'll still get Windows 11 26H2 (or whatever Microsoft will call it) near the end of 2026.Source: Windows IT Pro Blog
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