Windows 11 26H2 Is Out: Release Date, New Features & How to Upgrade
Quick answer Microsoft released Windows 11 version 26H2 (the Windows 11 2026 Update) on 29 September 2026. PCs on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 get it as a small enablement package that installs with one restart. The rollout is phased, but you can opt in now from Settings > Windows Update.
There is a second deadline worth knowing about too. On 13 October 2026, Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro stops receiving security updates and the consumer Extended Security Updates programme for Windows 10 ends. If either applies to you, the sections below on upgrade paths and moving off Windows 10 are the ones to read first.
Windows 11 26H2 Release Date
Windows 11 26H2 was released on 29 September 2026. Microsoft began a phased rollout to eligible Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 devices that day, with availability expanding over the following months. Microsoft’s Windows release health page for 26H2 confirms general availability and lists the current known issues.
The release landed exactly where the pattern predicted: Microsoft has shipped every recent second-half update in late September or early October.
| Version | Release date | How it installs on supported PCs | Home & Pro support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 24H2 | 1 October 2024 | Full platform update | Ends 13 October 2026 |
| Windows 11 25H2 | 30 September 2025 | Enablement package | 24 months from release |
| Windows 11 26H2 | 29 September 2026 | Enablement package | 24 months (to around October 2028) |
Business admins should note that monthly release notes for 26H2 start with the first security update for the new version on Patch Tuesday, 13 October 2026, as Microsoft set out in its IT pro guide to version 26H2.
What Is Windows 11 26H2?
Windows 11 26H2 is Microsoft’s annual feature update for the second half of 2026. It is not a new operating system build. Versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 share one codebase and one servicing branch, so most of the new code reached your PC over the past year through monthly cumulative updates and sat dormant until now.
The 26H2 enablement package (sometimes called an eKB) simply switches that code on and changes your version number. In practice that means:
- A small download and one restart. On a fully patched 24H2 or 25H2 PC, installing 26H2 feels like a normal monthly update rather than a reinstall.
- A fresh support clock. Home and Pro editions get 24 months of updates from release; Enterprise and Education get 36 months.
- Few truly “exclusive” features. Because features ship continuously, 26H2 works as a checkpoint that enables what has already rolled out to 25H2. The biggest practical win is the support reset.
One thing to avoid confusing it with: Windows 11 26H1 is a separate release for certain new Arm-based devices. It runs on a different Windows core, is not offered to existing PCs, and 26H1 devices cannot update to 26H2. If you want the full background, our Windows 11 26H1 breakdown covers it.
How to Install Windows 11 26H2 Now
Because the rollout is phased, 26H2 may not appear automatically yet. If your PC is on 24H2 or 25H2, you can request it early:
- Check your version. Press
Win + R, typewinverand press Enter. You need Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2. - Install pending updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update, install every available cumulative update and restart.
- Turn on early updates. Switch on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
- Check for updates. Select Check for updates. When your device qualifies, the Windows 11, version 26H2 option appears. Select Download and install.
- Restart and confirm. Restart once when prompted, then run
winveragain. You should see Version 26H2 on the 26300 build series.
If you are on Windows 11 23H2 or older, or moving from Windows 10, you will need a full feature update or a clean install instead. Our Windows 11 Pro download, install and upgrade guide walks through both routes, including creating installation media.
New Features in Windows 11 26H2
Be realistic about expectations here. Microsoft has kept 26H2 at feature parity with 24H2 and 25H2, so if you have been installing monthly updates, much of this will already look familiar. What 26H2 adds is a guaranteed baseline: once you are on it, these changes are part of your version rather than a staged experiment.
Movable taskbar
The most requested change since 2021 is back. You can position the taskbar at the top, left or right of the screen from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, with a separate option to make the taskbar smaller.
Search without web results
Windows Search now lets you switch off web results so local files, apps and settings come first. Many users find this makes Search faster and far less cluttered.
A tidier Start menu
The Start menu gives you more control over which sections appear, including the option to hide sections you never use and to hide your account name and picture.
Energy recommendations in Quick Settings
Windows’ energy-saving suggestions are now easier to reach directly from Quick Settings, which is useful on laptops.
Security hardening
Some security features that sat behind temporary controls in 25H2 are enabled by default in 26H2. Administrator Protection, which requires explicit approval before elevated system changes, continues its rollout and can be enabled through Windows Security or Group Policy.
Changes for business PCs
On commercial devices, 26H2 turns on several features by default that were previously off, including Windows settings backup, app-specific taskbar actions and File Explorer improvements. Admins can deploy through Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, WSUS or Intune as usual.
Still rolling out
Microsoft continues to test and stage other 2026 features, such as the redesigned Run dialog, deeper Copilot integration in Search and File Explorer, and a modern point-in-time restore option. These arrive through monthly updates and can vary by device, region and edition, so do not be surprised if your PC shows some but not others.
Windows 11 26H2 Known Issues
Microsoft currently lists two issues worth knowing about before you install. Both are marked as mitigated on the release health page, but check it for the latest status.
| Issue | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Some USB audio devices fail to start or produce no sound (Code 10, or failures in multichannel modes) | Certain USB Audio Class 1.0 headsets, DACs and interfaces | Mitigated |
| Some machine accounts protected by Credential Guard lose their secure channel with an on-premises Active Directory domain | Business PCs joined to an on-premises domain | Mitigated (Known Issue Rollback available) |
If you rely on a USB audio interface for work or you manage domain-joined PCs, it is sensible to wait for Windows Update to offer 26H2 automatically rather than forcing it, or to pilot it on one machine first.
Windows 11 26H2 Upgrade Paths: Which One Applies to You?
| Your current version | Route to 26H2 | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 25H2 | Enablement package, one restart | Opt in via Windows Update, or wait for the automatic offer |
| Windows 11 24H2 | Enablement package, one restart | Update before 13 October 2026, when 24H2 Home and Pro servicing ends |
| Windows 11 23H2 or older | Full feature update | Already out of support for Home and Pro; upgrade now |
| Windows 11 26H1 (new Arm devices) | Not available | Stay on 26H1; Microsoft will provide a path to a future release |
| Windows 10 (any edition) | Full upgrade to Windows 11 | Check hardware compatibility and make sure you have a Windows 11 licence |
Microsoft has announced no change to Windows 11’s minimum hardware requirements for 26H2. If your PC runs Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 today, it qualifies.
Still on Windows 10? 13 October Is the Real Deadline
Mainstream Windows 10 support ended in October 2025, and the one-year consumer Extended Security Updates programme ends on 13 October 2026. After that, a home Windows 10 PC receives no more security fixes at all.
If your hardware supports Windows 11 (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and a supported processor), upgrading straight to the current release puts you on 26H2 with a support window that runs to around October 2028 for Home and Pro. The usual sticking point is the licence: a PC that shipped with Windows 10 Home moves to Windows 11 Home, and anyone who needs BitLocker, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V or Group Policy needs Pro.
Get a Windows 11 licence for the 26H2 upgrade
A Windows 11 Pro licence suits most professionals and power users, while Windows 11 Home covers everyday use. Already on Home and want Pro features without reinstalling? The Windows 11 Home to Pro upgrade unlocks them in place. Every key is delivered by email, usually within minutes.
Setting up a new PC from scratch? Office 2021 also reaches end of support on the same day, 13 October 2026, so it can make sense to sort both at once with the Office 2024 Pro Plus and Windows 11 Pro bundle, or browse the Office 2024 range on its own.
Do You Need a New Licence for Windows 11 26H2?
No. If your Windows 11 PC is already activated, 26H2 is free and your existing licence carries over automatically. You do not enter a new product key, and the enablement package does not change your edition.
You only need a licence if:
- Your PC shows Windows is not activated under Settings > System > Activation;
- You are upgrading from Windows 10 and your device does not already hold a Windows 11 digital licence; or
- You want to move from Home to Pro, or need a specialist edition such as Windows 11 Pro for Workstations for high-end hardware.
Rolling 26H2 out across an office? Volume deployments are easier to plan with the right licence mix. Our B2B and wholesale team can quote for multiple devices, and the enterprise licensing page explains the options for larger fleets.
Windows 11 26H2 FAQs
When was Windows 11 26H2 released?
Microsoft released Windows 11 version 26H2, also called the Windows 11 2026 Update, on 29 September 2026. The rollout is phased, so it reaches eligible PCs gradually over the following months unless you opt in early through Windows Update.
Is Windows 11 26H2 a free update?
Yes. 26H2 is free for any activated Windows 11 PC. Your existing Windows 11 licence carries over, so you do not need a new product key. PCs that are not activated, or still on Windows 10, need a valid Windows 11 licence first.
How do I get Windows 11 26H2 now?
On a Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 PC, open Settings > Windows Update, turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available”, then select Check for updates. If your device is eligible, choose Download and install and restart once.
Why am I not seeing the 26H2 update?
Microsoft is rolling 26H2 out in phases and may hold it back from devices with a known compatibility issue. Your PC must also be on 24H2 or 25H2 and fully patched. Devices running Windows 11 26H1 cannot move to 26H2.
Does Windows 11 26H2 change the hardware requirements?
No changes to the Windows 11 minimum requirements have been announced for 26H2. A PC that already runs Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 is eligible.
How long is Windows 11 26H2 supported?
Installing 26H2 resets the support clock: 24 months for Home and Pro editions and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions, counted from the September 2026 release.
What happens to Windows 11 24H2 on 13 October 2026?
Servicing for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro ends on 13 October 2026, so those PCs stop receiving security updates. Moving to 25H2 or 26H2 keeps them protected.
Can a Windows 10 PC upgrade to Windows 11 26H2?
Yes, if the hardware meets Windows 11 requirements such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and a supported processor. It is a full upgrade rather than an enablement package, and the PC needs a valid Windows 11 licence to activate.
What is the difference between Windows 11 26H1 and 26H2?
26H1 is a separate release built on a newer Windows core for specific new Arm-based hardware. It is not offered to existing PCs, and 26H1 devices cannot update to 26H2. For almost every existing PC, 26H2 is the relevant update.
Do I need to reactivate Windows after installing 26H2?
Normally no. The enablement package keeps your existing activation. If Windows shows as not activated after the update, the licence was usually not valid for that edition. Our installation and activation guide covers the fixes, and you can open a support ticket if you bought your key from us.
Why Buy Your Windows 11 Licence from WinCDKey?
WinCDKey is run by Wincdkey Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales, and is listed in the Microsoft AppSource partner directory. We have delivered more than 600,000 orders and hold over 2,500 verified reviews on Trustpilot.
- Fast email delivery: keys typically arrive within minutes, and you can follow progress with order tracking.
- Activation help when you need it: our Help and Support Centre and phone activation (CID) tool cover the less common activation routes.
- Clear policies: read our refunds and returns policy before you buy.
The Bottom Line
Windows 11 26H2 is a low-drama update with one high-value benefit: a fresh 24-month support window for Home and Pro. If you are on 25H2, update whenever it suits you. If you are on 24H2, update before 13 October. And if you are still on Windows 10, this is the moment to move, starting with the right Windows 11 edition for the way you work.
Updated 5 October 2026 by the WinCDKey Editorial Team. First published 3 July 2026. We review this guide whenever Microsoft updates the 26H2 release health page.
