Windows 11 25H2 enters Release Preview with feature parity to 24H2

Microsoft has moved Windows 11 version 25H2 into the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, beginning its final testing phase before a general rollout expected in late September or early October 2025. The company said the release will not introduce new features beyond those already available in version 24H2, and will be distributed primarily as a low-impact enablement package that promises faster downloads, a single short restart and broad compatibility for users upgrading from 24H2.

In a blog post, Microsoft said "Windows 11, version 24H2 and version 25H2 use a shared servicing branch," meaning the two releases will receive the same features and enhancements through continuous servicing. The company also warned that a couple of legacy components will be removed on upgrade: PowerShell 2.0 and the Windows Management Instrumentation command line tool WMIC. Microsoft added that most users are unlikely to be affected by those removals.

Although Microsoft has framed 25H2 as feature parity with 24H2, preview builds and technical reporting show a range of user-facing functions that will be activated by the enablement package for devices already on 24H2. Those include a revised Start...