Windows 11 version 26H1 is set to arrive this spring… but it won’t be for everyone.
The update will debut exclusively on new PCs powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon X2 platform. The first laptops shipping with 26H1 pre-installed will start appearing in the spring period, aligning with the launch window for Snapdragon X2 devices.
Windows Central reports that ASUS has already confirmed that its ZenBook A14 and A16 models, both built on Snapdragon X2 chips, will ship with Windows 11 26H1 out of the box. Meanwhile, similarly timed ZenBook models running Intel or AMD processors will stick with Windows 11 version 25H2.
This makes 26H1 the first Windows 11 release designed for a single processor architecture at launch.
What makes Windows 11 26H1 different
While the version number may look like a routine update, Windows 11 26H1 is built on a new Windows platform release internally known as Bromine. That alone sets it apart from version 25H2, which shares the same platform base as 24H2.
The changes in 26H1 are mostly under the hood. Reports indicate improvements tied to performance, stability, and system-level behavior, rather than new user-facing features. For everyday users, the experience is expected to look largely the same as 25H2.
Microsoft has also made it clear that feature development will continue on version 25H2 first. New features tested there will eventually be carried forward to later releases, including 26H2.
The reason for this unusual release strategy comes down to timing. Qualcomm’s hardware launch schedule doesn’t line up neatly with Microsoft’s traditional Windows update cycle, which typically delivers one major feature update in the second half of the year.
To avoid delaying new Arm-based PCs, Microsoft opted to create a separate H1 release that includes the platform changes needed to support Snapdragon X2. Microsoft has been upfront about the purpose of this release.
In a November 2025 blog post, Microsoft stated, “26H1 is not a feature update for version 25H2 and only includes platform changes to support specific silicon. There is no action required from customers.”
In the same post, the company reiterated its long-term update plan, saying, “Windows 11 continues to have an annual feature update cadence, with releases in the second half of the calendar year.”
Not an upgrade path for existing PCs
If you’re using an Intel- or AMD-powered PC, Windows 11 26H1 will not be released as a public update. Microsoft has positioned it strictly as a launch platform for new Arm64 hardware, starting with the Snapdragon X2 lineup.
That said, users won’t be missing out on exclusive features. All meaningful feature additions are expected to arrive later this year with Windows 11 version 26H2, which is planned for a broad release in the second half of 2026 and will support existing hardware.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has taken this approach. In 2024, Windows 11 version 24H2 initially launched only on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs before rolling out more widely months later. The 26H1 release follows a similar pattern, though current expectations suggest it may remain exclusive to new Arm-based devices this time around.
Also see our CES 2026 live updates for the latest announcements, including Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 lineup.
