Windows 11 Support Thread

Microsoft releases Windows 11 version 26H2, calls it a "predictable and low-disruption update" with no compatibility concerns - Windows Central​

Right on schedule, Microsoft has announced the general availability of the Windows 11 2026 Update, also known as Windows 11 version 26H2. The company consistently releases a new version of the OS in the second half of the year, resetting the support clock and delivering new features and improvements.

The Windows 11 version 26H2 release builds upon the same platform release that powers Windows 11 version 25H2 and version 24H2. This means the update includes no new features on the surface that aren't also rolling out to those older releases, but it does act as a checkpoint that enables all the new features rolled out over the last 12 months.

So if you are still missing new features like the new Start menu or File Explorer improvements, updating to version 26H2 should enable them.

"Windows 11, version 26H2 brings together all the Windows innovations, security improvements, and enhancements delivered over the past year to version 25H2," Microsoft says.

Additionally, Microsoft explains that version 26H2 is an enablement package update, which "is a lightweight update that activates new features already included in the operating system through previous monthly servicing updates. Because versions 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2 share a common servicing branch and underlying codebase, many of the components required for version 26H2 are already present on devices before the feature update becomes available."

That means the update will only take a few minutes to download and install, and is low-disruption and safe with no compatibility concerns or bugs to be aware of.

The 26H2 update also resets the support lifecycle clock, meaning users that install it will enjoy 24 months of security and feature updates on Home and Pro edition from today. Commercial editions will receive 36 months of support.

Microsoft is rolling Windows 11 version 26H2 out in waves, but users can get it sooner by ensuring the "Get the latest Windows updates when they're available" option is toggled in Windows Settings.

If you're running Windows 11 version 26H1, you will not be eligible to install Windows 11 version 26H2. Version 26H1 is based on a newer version of the Windows platform compared to version 26H2, and so there's no direct upgrade path currently.
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Windows 11 26H2 is now rolling to everyone, how to get it right now, and is it even worth installing? - Windows Latest​


Windows 11 26H2, “Windows 11 2026 Update,” is now rolling out, and you can download it by going to Settings > Windows Update and clicking Download & install when the update becomes available on your PC. Here’s what it looks like when I checked for updates on my PC:

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Windows 11 26H2 has been under development for the past several months, and it’s a nothingburger release. That means you’re not going to notice any visible changes if you have already applied recent monthly cumulative updates.

But why is that the case? Right now, Microsoft wants to focus on stability and get the fundamentals right, as Satya Nadella previously confirmed. In other words, if Windows 11 26H2 were a major release based on a new platform (different from version 25H2 or 24H2), it could have been buggy and introduced compatibility issues, as happened in the past.

Earlier today, I reported that Windows 11 26H2’s installation files were already live, pointing to an imminent release. Microsoft has now confirmed the public rollout on September 29, 2026.

How to download and install Windows 11 26H2​

Windows 11 26H2 is gradually rolling out as an optional update. But if you can’t wait for it to show up on your PC, you can seek it by checking for updates.

Here’s how to download the update as soon as possible:
  1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
  2. Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Select Download and install when Windows 11, version 26H2 shows up.
  5. Restart your PC.
Note: In a statement, Microsoft says ISOs for Windows 11 26H2 are now available after a brief delay.

Windows 11 26H2’s update size is just 174KB if you’ve installed all recent monthly cumulative updates. Once the update is applied, you can confirm if your PC actually installed it by going to Settings > System > About. Now, look for the OS version and build numbers under Windows specifications:

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If it says version 26H2, you’re on the new release, and you don’t have to do anything.

If Windows 11 26H2 is not showing up at all, it could be because of a safeguard hold on your PC after Microsoft detected a compatibility issue.

“During rollout, we might place safeguard holds on devices where we detect a known compatibility issue that could impact the update experience,” Microsoft explained.

And if there are no compatibility issues, it simply means Windows 11 2026 Update is still rolling out. Turning on the toggle mentioned above won’t always make the update show up immediately.
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Read the full article at the link below:

www.windowslatest.com

Windows 11 26H2 is now rolling to everyone, how to get it right now, and is it even worth installing?

Windows 11 26H2, "Windows 11 2026 Update," is now rolling out, and you can download it by going to Settings > Windows Update.
www.windowslatest.com www.windowslatest.com
 

Microsoft Teams is the latest app to lose a Copilot shortcut - Windows Central​

Removing the chat list shortcut is part of Microsoft's broader effort to clean up Copilot's fragmented experience.

Microsoft Teams will no longer show a shortcut to the Copilot app in the Teams chat list. The change is expected to roll out in mid-to-late October and will affect the desktop and web versions of Teams.

Right now, there are two ways to navigate to Copilot within Teams and the two entry points lead to different experiences. Microsoft explained the need for the change through the Microsoft 365 Message Center (archived here):

"Today, users can access Copilot either from the Teams chat list or from the Copilot app in the Teams app bar. Beginning in October 2026, we will remove the Copilot entry point from the Teams chat list and direct users to access Copilot through the Copilot app. The Copilot app provides access to the full set of Copilot capabilities, while the chat list entry point provides a more limited experience."

The Copilot shortcut in the Teams chat list made Copilot more visible, but that entry point led to a limited experience. My guess is that some people only knew about the Teams chat list icon and ended up using a limited version of Copilot.

After October, there will be a single entry point for Copilot in Teams and those who use it will be presented with the full experience.

The mobile versions of Teams are unaffected by this change.
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How to download and install Windows 11 26H2, now available for everyone - Windows Latest​

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If your PC already shows 26H2 available for download, that’s the easiest way for all regular home users. If you aren’t one, the Installation Assistant or an ISO can get you there as well. If you need a bootable USB, use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool or Rufus, and if your PC doesn’t meet Microsoft’s requirements, Rufus can tweak the installation media to skip some of those checks.

“Built on the same servicing foundation as recent Windows 11 releases, version 26H2 delivers the latest Windows innovations with a streamlined update experience designed to minimize disruption,” John Cable, Vice President of Product Management for Windows Servicing and Delivery, wrote in Microsoft’s announcement.

I installed Windows 11 26H2 on my daily driver PC, and it showed Build 26300.9550 after installation. However, these methods do different jobs, so pick the one that you want.
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Read the full article at the link below:

www.windowslatest.com

How to download and install Windows 11 26H2, now available for everyone

Install Windows 11 26H2 via Windows Update, Installation Assistant, ISO, Media Creation Tool or Rufus, and see what works on unsupported PCs.
www.windowslatest.com www.windowslatest.com
 

This PowerToys animation is so stunning I'm sad I'll only see it once - Windows Central​

PowerToys' new welcome screen shows why fluid, responsive interfaces still matter on Windows.

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PowerToys is one of my favorite Windows apps, and the Windows Central team follows the app's development closely. Normally, I highlight new PowerToys utilities or the favorite additions of the main man behind PowerToys. But sometimes the layout of PowerToys deserves a highlight.

A new Welcome screen is on the way to PowerToys, and it's so gorgeous that I'm a bit disappointed that most people will only see it when initially installing the app. The engaging out-of-box-experience (OOBE) uses a Windows feature called Composition, allowing it to render at 60 FPS. The clip shared on X by Niels Laute doesn't quite do the welcome screen justice due to compression, but the animation is still impressive.

This is more than just a fun animation. Creating a usable user interface that also performs well is much more difficult than creating a mockup.

Similarly to how PowerToys acts as a playground for developers to make features that occasionally get integrated into Windows 11, the new welcome screen showcases something WinUI apps can do.

Laute highlighted that the new welcome screen relies on Composition, which sits below WinUI. Developers can use it to render visual effects, and it can also manipulate UI controls because of how performant it is. If you use the Microsoft Store, you've likely seen animations that rely on Composition without realizing it.
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Windows 11's October 'Patch Tuesday' lands on the 13th with a smarter File Explorer and new controls — I found 7 of the biggest changes coming to your PC - Windows Central​

The October update adds more control in Windows 11 and improves File Explorer, WinRE, touchpad controls, and more.

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The October 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 is expected to begin rolling out as an automatic install on October 13, 2026, with a new wave of features, improvements, and fixes. This release is notable because it also rolls out for version 26H2. In addition, this release marks the last quality update for version 24H2, as this version also reaches the end of support.

In this quality update, Microsoft introduces a new feature that allows you to decide whether your apps always open maximized. File Explorer receives some useful improvements, and the Magnifier gets a small refresh.

In Settings, you can now adjust touchpad controls and reassign the Copilot key to open Right Ctrl or the Context Menu.

Finally, the software giant is adding a new Tips widget, and the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) can now reuse your previously configured Wi-Fi credentials.

In this guide, I'll highlight the most significant changes in the October 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 versions 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2, since they are identical.
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Read the full article at the link below:

 

Microsoft: Outdated Windows devices will stop receiving security updates - Bleeping Computer​

Microsoft says devices running unsupported versions of Windows will stop receiving security updates after next year's Windows Update certificate rotation.

To ensure devices keep receiving updates, admins and users must upgrade to a supported version of Windows before the Windows Update certificates expire in May and June 2027.

"As a standard security practice, these certificates have an expiration date. This means that they eventually need to be rotated (that is, replaced by new certificates). A set of these certificates will expire on May 17, 2027 and June 19, 2027," Microsoft said on Thursday.

It also added that devices on unsupported versions of Windows "will lose access to Windows Update services and won't receive any updates as a result" and recommended "upgrading to a supported version of Windows client or server."

In a separate Microsoft 365 Message Center update, it also noted that replacement certificates have already been delivered to systems running a supported Windows version and don't require additional action if they're up to date.

Microsoft shared the following detailed guidance on the required actions by Windows version:
  • Windows 11, version 25H2 and later: No action is required.
  • Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025: Install the September 2025 security update or later before June 19, 2027.
  • Other supported versions of Windows 11, Windows Server 2022, and Windows 10: Install the July 2026 security update or later before June 19, 2027.
  • Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016: Install the July 2026 security update or later before May 17, 2027.
  • Other Windows versions: Upgrade to a supported version of Windows client or Windows Server.
Microsoft advised IT administrators to identify all devices running older or unsupported Windows versions before the Windows Update certificate rotation in 2027.

They should also deploy monthly Windows updates on all supported devices to keep them up to date and create an upgrade plan for unsupported devices before May and June 2027.

"And if you do need to act on older device populations, there's still time! Review, update, and plan upgrades for unsupported versions before the May 2027 or June 2027 certificate expiration dates," it added.

However, this doesn't apply to devices that receive updates from Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), which downloads updates and distributes them across enterprise networks.

Last month, Microsoft released Windows 11, version 26H2 (also known as the Windows 11 2026 Update), which is now generally available for eligible Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems as a small enablement package (instead of a full OS replacement) in a phased rollout that will expand over the next few months.
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www.bleepingcomputer.com

Microsoft: Outdated Windows devices will stop receiving security updates

Microsoft says devices running unsupported versions of Windows will stop receiving security updates after next year's Windows Update certificate rotation.
www.bleepingcomputer.com www.bleepingcomputer.com
 
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