Windows users—many of whom perennially grumble about the addition of new features to the operating system—can breathe a sigh of relief. This year’s “major” Windows update, version 25H2, which will likely bear the official moniker of Windows 11 2025 Update, doesn’t introduce any end-user capabilities beyond those that have already become available to 2024’s major 24H2 version via interim updates. How, you might ask, is this good? Well, the dearth of new functionality means 25H2 won’t create any compatibility nightmares or require a lengthy install process with multiple restarts.
The reason for the quick and seamless installation is that the actual features are likely already present on your system; Microsoft has been delivering new features in a dormant state via monthly security and stability updates over the past year. (The company started using this strategy back in 2019 with Windows 10.) When you update to 25H2, you simply trigger an “enablement package,” which turns on said features.
Note that if you clicked the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” checkbox in Windows’ Update settings, the new features might already be active on your system, depending on its hardware specs. Microsoft now embraces “continuous innovation,” meaning it puts out new features when they’re ready rather than saving them for a big annual release. Although that means you can technically get the latest features on your machine without moving to 25H2, I still advise you to upgrade when you can, since vital code-tightening, security, and stability updates come along with the new OS version. It also extends your system’s support time frame (more on that below).
When Will Windows 11 25H2 Launch?
Windows 25H2 is already available in the Windows Insider Release Preview channel. This is the most stable option among Insider channels; the Beta, Dev, and Canary channels are progressively more forward-looking and untested. As far as the general release, the Windows blog says that it will occur “later this calendar year.” In previous years, the company released major updates in late September or early October.
Keep in mind that Microsoft employs what it calls “controlled feature rollout” (CFR) technology. This means that not everyone gets the update at the same time, and that the company must first verify that your device is ready for it. Business installations get even more control over updates, so your IT department might delay things further.
What’s New Since the 24H2 Feature Update?
If you didn’t enable the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option on the Windows Update Settings page, some features might be new for you after the 25H2 update. I highlight the more interesting ones below in order of importance. Microsoft has also released minor updates over the past year, along with many bug fixes.
Mobile sidebar in Windows Start menu (Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Updated Start Menu With Mobile Section. Once you connect your phone to your Windows PC using Phone Link, you see an extra side panel next to the Start menu with options for opening messages, placing calls, and viewing photos.
Lock Screen Widgets in Windows 11 (Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Lock Screen Customization. You can now add, remove, and rearrange lock screen widgets such as Sports, Traffic, Watchlist, Weather, and more. You can add any widgets—even third-party ones—that support the small sizing option. I don’t consider lock screen widgets particularly useful since I usually see them only for a moment before logging in with my face, but you might find them helpful.
Time in Windows 11 Notification panel (Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Time in Notification Center. A previous update removed the digital clock from the Notification panel that opens when you click on the Date and Time area at the right end of the taskbar. Now, you can re-enable the clock, which appears above the calendar. It’s still possible to toggle seconds in the taskbar clock, too.
Narrator Improvements. One of Windows’ key accessibility features, Narrator, saw several updates over the past year. For instance, you now get AI-powered image descriptions, and a recap feature lets you hear, see, and copy the text of previous interactions. Narrator’s scan mode gets two keyboard shortcuts: Pressing the comma key takes you to the start of an item, such as a large table or long list, while pressing the period key takes you to the end.
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No More Blue Screen of Death (aka BSOD). Microsoft retires the BSOD error screen in favor of a minimalist black screen. Meanwhile, an update to the recovery system called Quick Machine Recovery aims to reduce downtime and save you from laborious manual fixes.
PC Migration. This new feature lets Windows Backup pair a new PC with an old one to streamline the move to the former. It lets you easily transfer files and settings.
Press to Talk for Copilot. Microsoft updates most Copilot features in Windows separately from the OS, but this one came with a Windows update in May 2025. It lets you hold down Alt-space bar for two seconds to start engaging the AI verbally. You can also now choose to have it listen for a “Hey Copilot” wake phrase to start a conversation while your PC is unlocked.
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Gamepad Touch Keyboard Layout. The on-screen touch keyboard’s Gamepad layout gets button accelerators, such as X for backspace and Y for the space bar. The keys are vertically aligned to improve controller navigation.
Edit Option in Windows Share. You can now click an Edit button in the standard Windows share sheet to edit images in the Photos app before completing the sharing operation.
For an overview of the minor updates that have arrived periodically over the past year, check out this blog post or this exhaustive history of updates. Copilot+ PC–only features also arrive for users of those devices, such as the widespread availability of Recall, an AI settings agent, and Click to Do refinements. And for the state of every upcoming business feature, check out the Windows Roadmap for Business.
A New Lifecycle for Windows
One important thing that the 25H2 update changes is the OS servicing timeline. When Microsoft releases a Windows version, the support clock starts ticking on a 24-month timeline for Home and Pro editions and a 36-month one for Enterprise and Education editions. So, for example, if the update launches on September 15, 2025, it will remain in support until September 15, 2027.
What’s Going Away in Windows 11 25H2?
With Windows 11 25H2, Microsoft is removing a couple of little-used features: PowerShell 2.0 and the Windows Management Instrumentation command-line. Just as the lack of new features should please some crusty Windows users, so too should the company’s decision not to remove anything significant.
Of course, the lack of flashy new features in Windows 11 25H2 might indicate a bigger splash next year or even presage a move to Windows 12.
About Michael Muchmore
Principal Writer, Software
