What Is New in Windows 11 (26H2 and September 2026)

Windows 11 changes every month, and the version names make it hard to tell what you actually have. This page lists what is new right now, which PCs get it, and what is still on the way. We date every claim and update the page when Microsoft ships.

Short version: most PCs run version 25H2 today. Version 26H2 arrives this fall as a tiny switch that turns on features Microsoft has been rolling out slowly. Version 26H1 exists, but only for new PCs with next-generation chips.

Release summary: which version is which

Microsoft now ships one big update a year and delivers it in small pieces. Here is where each version stands as of September 2026.

24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 share one servicing branch. That is why the 26H2 upgrade is an enablement package of about 174 KB and takes under five minutes. Nothing big downloads, because the code is already on your PC. The switch only turns features on.

What changed in the September 2026 update

Microsoft released the September cumulative update on September 8, 2026. The visible changes:

• Smaller taskbar buttons. Set Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Show smaller taskbar buttons to Always to shrink the icons and the taskbar itself.
• Taskbar position. You can move the taskbar to another edge of the screen. This shipped in the September 8, 2026 update (KB5124008); 26H2 turns on the remaining pieces.
• AI component refresh. The on-device AI components (Image Search, Content Extraction, Semantic Analysis and the Settings model) moved to version 1.2608.951.0.
• Secure Boot certificates. The update adds targeting data so more devices receive the new Secure Boot certificates automatically.

New features at a glance

Taskbar, Start menu and File Explorer

The taskbar is the change most people will notice. Windows 11 locked it to the bottom edge when it launched in 2021. You can now choose Left, Top, Right or Bottom under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar position. Pair it with the smaller buttons option if you use a laptop screen.

The redesigned Start menu and the File Explorer improvements have been arriving in stages. Version 26H2 finishes that job by enabling the remaining pieces on PCs that were still waiting.

Backup, restore and security

Two defaults change with 26H2:

1. Cloud backup. Windows can back up your settings and some personal files to the cloud. Microsoft says settings backup is on by default for commercial (Entra-managed) devices; the consumer default is unconfirmed. Check Settings after the update and turn it off if you do not want your files synced.
2. Point-in-time restore. It lets you create system restore points and change how often they are made, so you can roll Windows back if an update breaks something. Reports say 26H2 enables it on all devices, including Enterprise. It is on by default in 26H2 (per Microsoft, as reported).

Check both under Settings after the update. If you use a local account, read our guide on how to bypass the Microsoft account during Windows setup before you accept the cloud defaults.

AI and Copilot features

Windows keeps adding AI features, and not all of them reach every PC. The on-device AI components update every month and work on any supported PC. Some features, such as those tied to the neural processing unit, need a Copilot+ PC.

If you do not want the Copilot app, our step-by-step guide covers how to disable Copilot in Windows 11, including the Home edition method.

Version 26H1: why it is not for your PC

Windows 11 version 26H1 shipped only on new devices with next-generation chips, such as the Snapdragon X2. Microsoft does not offer it as an update to 24H2 or 25H2 PCs. If your PC is not new, ignore it and wait for 26H2.

How to get the update now

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they are available.
3. Select Check for updates and install what appears.
4. Restart when asked.

If 26H2 is not offered yet, that is normal. Microsoft rolls it out in waves over several weeks. To install a specific version yourself, use the official media in our guide to download the Windows 11 ISO file.

Should you update? Known issues

For most people, yes. 26H2 is a small package, it is easy to remove, and the taskbar and restore features are useful. Wait a few weeks if you run business-critical software, and check the release health page on Microsoft Learn for your version before you install. Microsoft lists known issues per version there, and they change often, so a list copied here would go stale within days.

Before any feature update, back up your files and keep a restore point. A good set of tools for that is in our list of the best Windows utilities.

FAQs