A few weeks ago, on September 30, Microsoft has released this year’s feature update of Windows 11. It is available as ISO, via Autopatch, M365 admin center, Visual Studio subscription. But in WSUS it will be released along with usual monthly security updates on Tuesday, October 14. Some features are not new and were available in 24H2, but in this version they are not under temporary commercial control policy anymore and are fully available: AI actions in File Explorer, Click to Do (Copilot+ PC), Agent in Settings (Copilot+ PC). If a company policy was in place to block this features, after update to 25H2 they will be unblocked. In official blog post MS also mentions quick machine recovery and hotpatching, but these options were already included since 24H2.
Below are some of the new features in this version:
- Different from last year, this time update from 24H2 is done using Enablement package (eKB) as 24H2 and 25H2 are sharing same servicing branch and all new bits are already in place delivered with September monthly patches. So, it only needs a small package to enable new features. This will make update from 24H2 to complete in a few minutes.
- Update from 23H2 and older version probably will take longer than usual judging by the size of 25H2 ISO. It is 7.5 GB, which is 1.5 GB more than 24H2 was.
- Wi-Fi 7 was already supported in consumer branch of 24H2, but now it is available for enterprise users as well. Comes with WPA3-Enterprise for authentication and performance improvements.
- More optimizations to energy consumption when CPU is idle.
- This version supports policy based removal of inbox apps (via MDM, CSP, GPO). This eliminates the need for scripts during deployment of OS on new devices to remove unwanted apps.
- Pinning apps to taskbar via policy no longer requires a restart of File Explorer and pinned apps should appear within 8 hours.
- There is an option in Settings > System > Notifications that allows to change position of on-screen indicators for volume, brightness, airplane mode and virtual desktops that popup when you change say volume or brightness with hardware controls. Possible locations are bottom center, top center and top left.
- Start menu now shows pinned apps at the top, recommended section in the middle and then the list of all apps, which can be shown in categories, grid or list. Start menu also has “Show all” and “Show less” buttons to adjust the scope. One can also completely hide the recommendations section.
- Phone Link is even more integrated with Windows and is shown as a sidebar next to Start menu. It allows drag & drop of files between phone and PC, sending images to a phone from File Explorer and checking messages and other content from Start menu.
- Users can add customizable widgets to the lock screen that show weather, stock prices and so on.
- For Developers menu in Settings > System is replaced with Advanced menu section with various settings. One new setting is integration with Git version control in File Explorer.
- Settings > Accounts > Passkeys allows use of third-party password managers to handle passkeys for websites and apps.
- All search related settings combined under new Search section in Settings > Privacy & security.
- Reset Recall option allows to delete all data stored by Windows Recall feature. Also default duration of storing Recall data is set to 90 days instead of unlimited (only relevant for Copilot+ devices).
- In Taskbar settings it is possible to enable small icons. Which can be always or when taskbar is full.
- More mouse settings migrated from Control Panel to Settings (like customizing pointer image, pointer trails and enhance pointer precision).
Official release post for IT professionals:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/an-it-pro%E2%80%99s-guide-to-windows-11-version-25h2/4457409
ISO is available for download at:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
New admx files available at:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=108394
Security baseline for 25H2:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-baselines/windows-11-version-25h2-security-baseline/4456231
Windows build number is 26200
Windows 11 25H2 Home and Pro versions will be supported until October 12, 2027.
EDU\Enterprise versions until October 10, 2028.