Microsoft is rolling out this year's Windows 11 update, 25H2. Despite the hype surrounding this release, most users will hardly see differences at first. That's because Windows 11 25H2 is called an " enablement package ," meaning it turns on new options already in place within the system files.
According to a blog post by Microsoft vice president John Cable, the new 25H2 and last year's 24H2 versions rely on a shared code base and update branch, making future monthly updates easier to distribute. The latest version is designed to offer users more updates throughout the year rather than relying only on one annual release.
For anyone looking to try out the update early, Microsoft has started a staggered rollout. By opening Windows Settings and heading to Windows Update, users can check the box for "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" and be among the first to access them.
Microsoft says 25H2's most significant changes are found behind the scenes. It also includes AI-assisted secure coding and a handful of upgrades that "address and mitigate security threats." Finally, machines that update to 25H2 will no longer have access to older tools such as PowerShell 2.0 and the WMIC command-line tool.
Using a shared code base and its new update strategy, Microsoft hopes the Windows experience will keep improving throughout the year, even as the 25H2 release sets the stage for probable future updates and options.
