Windows Central 16.5%
Windows 11 version 25H2: Everything you need to know about Microsoft's latest OS release
By Zac Bowden - 5/31/2025, 2:06 PM - 560 words
Faulty reasoning signals
- Confirmation Bias - 3.9% (22 hits)
- Anchoring Bias - 0%
- Availability Heuristic - 0%
- Representativeness Heuristic - 3.9% (22 hits)
- Hindsight Bias - 0%
- Overconfidence Bias - 0%
- Framing Effect - 3.2% (18 hits)
- Loss Aversion - 6.8% (38 hits)
- Status Quo Bias - 0%
- Sunk Cost Effect - 0%
- Optimism Bias - 19.8% (111 hits)
- Pessimism Bias - 0%
Article text
Windows 11 version 25H2: Everything you need to know about Microsoft's latest OS release
Microsoft is now shipping the next version of Windows 11, known as the version 25H2 update or Windows 11 2025 Update.
The company generally releases new versions of Windows in the fall, and that's exactly what is happening this year with version 25H2.
Windows 11 version 25H2 was officially announced earlier this summer, and has been in testing in the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel for a number of weeks.
It's now reached general availability, which means it's rolling out to production PCs via Windows Update.
Alternatively, you can download the Windows Media Creation Tool to create ISO media, or download the ISO files manually.
We will continue to update this page with more information about Windows 11 version 25H2 as rollout gets underway.
So be sure to bookmark it and check back frequently!
The new version of Windows 11 resets the support clock, which means users running version 25H2 once it releases will be supported with security and bug fixes for longer than those who remain on version 24H2 or older.
Consumer and pro editions of Windows 11 will be supported for 24 months, and enterprise editions will be supported for 36 months.
Microsoft has confirmed that at launch, Windows 11 version 25H2 will not introduce any new features.
Features that rollout to version 25H2 will also be made available on 24H2, as they both share the same platform release and servicing stack.
That means 25H2 doesn't include any unique features that are exclusive to it.
The company has confirmed that version 25H2 includes new Group Policies that allows commercial customers to easily configure which apps get installed on Windows 11 PCs.
The version 25H2 update also removes a couple of features, including PowerShell 2.0 and Windows Management Instrumentation command-line (WMIC) are removed from the OS when upgrading to 25H2.
Microsoft is working on a whole load of features as part of its continuous innovation effort, which attempts to deliver new features to Windows 11 users on a monthly cadence.
So even though 25H2 itself doesn't have anything new specifically, we are still expecting features like a new Start menu, improved gaming experience, and more to debut over the coming months.
It also means Microsoft can service both releases at the same time with bug fixes, security updates, and new features, though some features may be reserved exclusively for users to move to version 25H2.
"Windows 11, version 24H2 and version 25H2 share the same source code, with only the additional features turned on.
Therefore, there should be no impact on compatibility between the two" says Microsoft.
"New features we develop for Windows 11, version 25H2 are part of the version 24H2 branch.
When the new code is complete, we include it in the monthly LCUs for Windows 11, version 24H2 in a Disabled state ... the code remains disabled on the device until it receives the eKB.
The eKB changes flags in the staged code from Disabled to Enabled.
When you restart the device, the new features become enabled, and you're officially on Windows 11, version 25H2!"
The current platform release that 24H2 and 25H2 will be based on is called Germanium.
Microsoft has confirmed that it is making improvements to Germanium throughout 2025, which will likely benefit the version 25H2 release this fall.