(Credit: Jeffrey Hazelwood/PCMag; Microsoft)
Over the past year, Microsoft released a stream of massive Windows 11 upgrades—including a movable taskbar and Bing-free search—but there’s a good chance your PC was passed over due to the company’s staggered rollout. The new Windows 11 26H2 update fixes that. Rather than add brand-new features of its own, 26H2 finally enables the delayed fixes your machine missed over the last 12 months. More importantly, it resets your support clock: Installing it is mandatory if you want to continue receiving security updates after October 2027. Here is how to force the update today and what changes to look out for.
When Will You Get Windows 11 26H2?
According to Microsoft's Sept. 29 blog post, the 26H2 update is “now available for eligible devices running Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2.”
Microsoft’s controlled feature rollout process means Windows Update may not offer it to your PC for weeks to come, however. You can head to Settings > Windows Update to check for it. If you don't see an installation option, you can force it here by clicking Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
Note that PCs running Windows 11 version 26H1, which is exclusive to those with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 processors, can't upgrade to 26H2 because it is based on a different Windows core. Still, Microsoft says these devices will “have a path to update to a future Windows release.” I expect devices with both 26H1 and 26H2 to be able to upgrade to a prospective 27H2 version next year.
In testing, my desktop PC downloaded the update, installed it, and rebooted in about a minute.
What’s New Since the 25H2 Update?
Updates to Windows 11 since the 25H2 release have added long-requested features, addressed common complaints, and generally improved the OS for developers, enthusiasts, and power users, in particular. Again, 26H2 doesn't add anything new; it just enables the enhancements your PC hasn't received in the interim due to Microsoft's slow, staggered release approach. Nonetheless, I highlight the most interesting changes below in order of importance:
A Movable Taskbar. You can now move Windows 11’s taskbar to the left, right, or top edge of your screen. This feature was popular on Windows 10, and its removal in Windows 11 broke some decades-old workflows.
An Option to Turn Off Bing in the Start Menu. The Settings app now lets you turn off Bing and Microsoft Store search results in the Start menu’s search box. As a result, searches load faster and feel more focused.
More Customization Options for the Taskbar and Start Menu. Windows 11 now lets you use a smaller, more compact taskbar to save screen real estate. You also get deeper customization options for the Start menu, including the ability to toggle the All, Pinned, and Recommended sections.
A Quieter Widgets Experience. Windows 11’s Widgets button no longer bombards you with viral headlines and notifications. The MSN news feed doesn't appear by default, even when you open the Widgets pane.
Fewer Copilot Buttons Throughout the OS. Microsoft says it’s being more thoughtful about how and where it integrates Copilot AI features. For example, Notepad no longer has a Copilot button, and the Widgets pane no longer includes the Copilot Discover news feed. This pullback makes sense because Microsoft is still struggling to make Copilot a compelling part of the experience.
More Options for the Copilot Key. You can now disable your PC’s Copilot key or turn it into a Right Control or Context Menu key without installing keyboard-remapping tools.
Point-in-Time Restores. Windows 11 can roll back your PC’s entire state, including apps and personal files, to a recent point in time. This feature is accessible from Windows 11’s recovery screen, so you can easily restore the OS when you encounter problems.
Performance Improvements. Microsoft says work is ongoing to improve performance, including optimizations for PCs with 8GB of RAM.
Less Clutter. Windows 11 is now less cluttered by default. For example, the lock screen now shows only a Weather widget by default, hiding the MSN stocks and sports widgets.
For more details, Microsoft has a comprehensive list of changes in Windows 11 since version 25H2.
What’s Going Away in Windows 11 26H2?
With Windows 11 26H2, Microsoft says the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility is no longer available. The legacy tool was a frequent target of criminals and malware authors, so the company removed it from Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 in September’s security update. The update doesn't remove any other features from Windows.
What’s Next After Windows 11 26H2?
The lack of new features, especially around AI, suggests Microsoft is working on more exciting things internally. The company might announce them at a planned Oct. 7 event in the coming weeks, but representatives tell me there are no plans to launch Windows 12 anytime soon. In any case, you can check out the latest Windows updates by joining the Insider program.
About Our Expert
I've been writing about technology for more than 15 years and using it in earnest for over twice as long. As a member of PCMag's software team, I focus on Windows coverage, but also write about other key desktop operating systems and system apps. (I used Windows 3.1 upon its release and have followed every subsequent release closely).
Prior to joining PCMag, I wrote for How-To Geek starting in 2011, and my articles amassed over a billion page views. I went on to run the publication as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. I have also contributed to Computerworld, Fast Company, PCWorld, Reader's Digest, The New York Times, and many other outlets about everything from AI to PC hardware to Windows. I founded and ran my own direct-to-reader Windows-focused newsletters, Windows Intelligence and The Windows ReadMe, working in partnership with Thurrott.com.
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