After months of waiting, Windows 11 users can now finally download the new major version, 26H2 on their PCs.
The wait is finally over, as Microsoft just made Windows 11 version 26H2 generally available for users to download on their PCs. The update is now ready for broader deployment, and users can start checking for it through Windows Update.
Here's what's coming with the new Windows 11 version:
AI-Powered experiences
Settings: Agent in Settings helps you find and manage settings using natural language.
Narrator: Enhanced image descriptions provide more detailed information about visual content.
Task Manager: New AI monitoring capabilities provide greater visibility into AI workloads and NPU activity.
Taskbar: New taskbar experiences make it easier to access AI-powered tools and track progress across tasks.
Start and Taskbar personalization
Start: New customization options let you personalize the Start menu. Choose from different menu sizes, hide your profile picture and account name, and control the visibility of individual sections.
Taskbar: Customize the taskbar to suit your preferences by choosing its position on the screen and selecting a more compact layout.
Search and discovery
Windows Search: Find content more quickly with a simplified search experience, improved results from automatically indexed frequently used folders, and new controls for managing web and Microsoft Store suggestions.
File Explorer: Enhancements make it easier to view and manage files, including more intuitive file size displays and improved usability throughout File Explorer.
Accessibility
Voice access: Expanded language support provides more ways to interact with your PC using your voice.
Voice Isolation: Improved voice recognition helps voice access better understand your commands in noisy environments.
Magnifier: Enhanced zoom controls make it easier to customize your viewing experience.
Narrator: Richer image descriptions provide more detailed information about visual content.
Sharing and collaboration
Windows Share: Discover and install relevant apps directly from the share window when signed in with a work or school account.
Cross-device experiences: Enhanced integration between your Android phone and Windows PC helps you stay productive across devices, including the ability to resume tasks seamlessly as you move between them.
Security and protection
Windows Hello: Expanded support for compatible fingerprint readers provides more secure and flexible sign-in options.
Smart App Control: Enhanced management capabilities provide greater flexibility for helping protect your device from untrusted apps.
Windows Security: New security enhancements help safeguard your identity, apps, and device.
Devices and drivers
Shared Audio: Share audio across multiple devices simultaneously using supported Bluetooth audio technology.
Multi-App Camera: Allow multiple applications to access your camera at the same time.
Basic Camera: A simplified camera mode helps improve compatibility and provides a more streamlined camera experience.
Other improvements
Widgets: Improvements help create a more focused experience with better notification controls and fewer interruptions.
Gaming: New gaming enhancements and deeper Xbox integration provide a more streamlined gaming experience on supported Windows devices.
Networking: Reliability improvements help provide more consistent access to shared network resources and services.
As usual, Microsoft is rolling out the update gradually, so it may not appear on every compatible PC immediately. If it is available on your device, you can head to
Settings >
Windows Update and check for updates to
download and install Windows 11 26H2.
