Windows 11 26H2 Update: Which PCs Get the Enablement Package
Windows 11 26H2 brings a fast enablement-package upgrade to 24H2 and 25H2 PCs, while 26H1 devices remain on a separate path. The post Windows 11 26H2 Update: Which PCs Get the Enablement Package appeared first on TechRepublic .
Microsoft's Windows 11 26H2 update, also known as the Windows 11 2026 Update, was released on September 29, 2023. This update brings a fast enablement-package upgrade to PCs running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2. However, PCs running Windows 11 26H1 cannot upgrade to this version due to a different Windows core.
The 26H2 update is designed to be a quick install for many PCs, but some newer Windows machines cannot upgrade at all. The update uses the same underlying operating-system files as 24H2 and 25H2 releases, allowing Microsoft to activate 26H2 with a small enablement package rather than a full feature upgrade.
To be eligible for the enablement package, PCs must already have the Sept. 22 KB5124010 preview update or a later cumulative update installed. This ensures that much of the required code is already present on the updated 24H2 and 25H2 systems. The process requires one restart, and eligible managed PCs can reduce scheduled reboot frequency through Windows 11 hotpatching.
Microsoft has identified a few issues with the 26H2 update, including problems with USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, domain-joined systems protected by Credential Guard, and desktop-loading issues mainly reported in virtual desktop environments. Microsoft is taking a staged deployment approach for the update, allowing organizations to validate it on a limited group before widespread deployment.
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