Windows 11 25H2: A staging post before Windows 12

Microsoft is preparing to release Windows 11 version 25H2, a major update to the operating system. Windows Insider members can already try out the first test versions of the new update, and the general release is scheduled for the second half of 2025. Windows 10 users, on the other hand, will soon be out of support.

What does the 25H2 update for Windows 12 mean?
In a recent blog post, Microsoft's Jason Leznek commented on the upcoming update, explaining that Windows 11 Home and Pro will continue to receive security updates for 24 months after the release of 25H2. Meanwhile, Enterprise and Education will continue to receive support for 36 months. New features will be added gradually. This suggests that Microsoft is focusing on continuing to develop Windows 11 for now, even as work continues on its successor — likely Windows 12.

This likely means that users will have to wait until at least October 2027 (for home users) or October 2028 (for businesses) for a new version of the Windows operating system if 25H2 is released at the end of support for Windows 10 in mid-October 2025. Microsoft can of course extend this date again.

What does the Windows 11 25H2 update bring?
The main goal of the update is not a bunch of new features, but rather stability, quality improvements, and bug fixes. The update will be released around the end of support for Windows 10, which will make it easier to migrate to a newer system. The new 25H2 is designed as an “enablement” update. In practice, this means that most of the features are already present in version 24H2 and are activated with a small patch. This will make the installation quick and similar to a regular security update.