On Friday, Microsoft released the first version of Windows 11 26H1 and, as expected, You you won’t have to worry about it.
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000 on Canary Channel, the most experimental of the four Windows Insider channels. “With today’s release, Canary Channel Windows Insiders will see the updated version under Settings > System > About (And earn) to Windows 11, version 26H1,” the company said in a blog post.
In the announcement, Microsoft made it clear that Windows 11 26H1 would not be something consumers would have to worry about.
“26H1 is not a feature update for version 25H2 and only includes platform changes to support specific silicon,” the blog states. “No action is required from customers.”
“[Windows 11] 25H2 remains the primary location for new features,” the post adds. “Windows 11 continues to have an annual feature update cadence, with releases in the second half of the calendar year.”
Microsoft’s statement is consistent with what tipster Phantomofearth revealed just over a week ago: that Windows 11 version 26H1 was specifically aimed at the new silicon. The leaker claimed that the new silicon in question was the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite, which is expected to ship in early 2026. Microsoft essentially used the previous Snapdragon
Although Microsoft may adjust its course and launch a new feature or two in the Windows 11 26H1 channel, it seems that enthusiasts who want to try and test new Windows features should stay on Windows 11 25H2 for the time being. You can check your PC version by using the “winget” command in Windows.
Once again, the Canary Canal is purely experimental. “The builds we release on the Canary Channel represent the latest changes to the platform early in the development cycle and should not be considered to correspond to any specific version of Windows,” Microsoft noted. “Features and experiences included in these builds may never be released as we try different concepts and receive feedback. Features may change over time, be removed or replaced, and may never be released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences may appear in future versions of Windows when they are ready.”
