Microsoft confirms that Windows 11 26H1 will arrive to support new ARM chips.
Just a few days ago, we were talking about the first rumors surrounding a very possible new version of Windows 11 in the first half of next year. At the time, this rumor contradicted the details given by Microsoft itself: a few months ago, the Redmond-based company had indeed indicated that Windows 11 would no longer undergo major updates once every six months, as in the past, but simply once a year. In any case, there was to be no Windows 11 26H1, but simply a Windows 11 26H2.
The future platform born of the NVIDIA/Mediatek association will be supported by Windows 11 26H1 © NVIDIA
The release of the latter - update 26H2 - is not in doubt in the slightest, but the deployment of an upcoming 26H1 is confirmed today, as Microsoft would need it to support the work of some of its closest partners. Indeed, early next year, NVIDIA and Qualcomm are planning to put the finishing touches to their new chipsets, the N1X from the former and the Snapdragon X2 from the latter. To work properly, these chips will require modifications to Windows 11.
As confirmed by Windows Central, Windows 11 26H1 will therefore not be an opportunity to introduce new features or revise the user experience, but "simply" to ensure compatibility with the new ARM solutions that are particularly in vogue at Microsoft at the moment. In fact, we shouldn't expect to see Windows 11 26H1 deployed on a large scale: the aim is not to distribute it as the 25H2 update did, but simply to integrate it into PCs integrating these new NVIDIA and Qualcomm chips. Now that's clearer.
