Windows 11’s Next Update, 26H1, Will not Deliver New Features to Most Users
REDMOND, WA – November 8, 2025 – Microsoft has clarified that the recently released Windows 11 Insider preview Build 28000, designated version 26H1, is not a feature update intended for general consumers. The update, currently available to those in the Windows Insider Program’s Canary Channel, focuses on platform changes to support specific new hardware.
According to a Microsoft blog post, “26H1 is not a feature update for version 25H2 and only includes platform changes to support specific silicon. There is no action required from customers.” The company emphasized that windows 11 25H2 remains the primary channel for new features, maintaining its annual feature update schedule with releases in the second half of each year.
The 26H1 release is specifically tailored for upcoming hardware, notably the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite processor expected to ship in early 2026. Microsoft previously utilized the Snapdragon X Elite as a testing ground for features that were later integrated into Copilot+ processors,including Intel’s Core Ultra 200 series and AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 processors.
while Microsoft reserves the right to adjust course, users seeking to test new Windows features are advised to remain on the Windows 11 25H2 channel.The version currently running on a PC can be verified using the “winget” command within Windows.
Microsoft cautions that the Canary Channel is highly experimental, stating, “The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows.” Features tested in the Canary Channel may never be released to the public and are subject to change or removal.
