Microsoft has confirmed its latest Windows 11 version, the version 2025 in an official blog post. The Windows 11 version 25H2 will follow version 24H2 in terms of update methodology employed by Microsoft. This mean using an enablement package PCs on version 24H2 can be easily upgraded to version 25H2.
As easy as restarting: The benefits of the shared servicing branch
Over the years, you’ve experienced regular optimizations to the development and servicing of each version of Windows. Your installations are faster, and your experiences are more seamless. That’s because combined servicing stack updates (SSUs) with latest cumulative updates (LCUs) have reduced package size by 40%.
One of the most significant improvements that make these benefits possible is the Windows shared servicing branch. This capability applies the same technology used for the monthly update process to the annual feature updates. For you, it’s a familiar, fast, and reliable update experience.
This process is called “feature updates via servicing,” and the updates are implemented through enablement packages (eKB). An eKB is an update package that helps update a device to the next version of Windows with a single restart that reduces downtime.
Moreover, Microsoft as also confirmed that features targeted at Windows 11 version 25H2 will be already part of Windows 11 version 24H2 cumulative monthly updates, but will remain disabled. Only when the enablement package for version 25H2 is deployed the new features will be enabled.
Windows 11, version 24H2 and version 25H2 use a shared servicing branch. Here’s what this means for your update experience.
New features we develop for Windows 11, version 25H2 are part of the version 24H2 branch. When the new code is complete, we include it in the monthly LCUs for Windows 11, version 24H2 in a Disabled state. Think of it as having the new feature code slowly staged on devices running version 24H2—yet another reason to stay up to date with monthly Windows updates!
The code remains disabled on the device until it receives the eKB. The eKB changes flags in the staged code from Disabled to Enabled. When you restart the device, the new features become enabled, and you’re officially on Windows 11, version 25H2!
Those on the previous versions as compared to Windows 11 version 24H2 need to use Windows update for upgrading to version 25H2.
Moving from earlier versions to Windows 11, version 25H2
Since versions earlier than Windows 11, version 24H2 do not share the same servicing branch as Windows, version 25H2, the simple update via an eKB isn’t possible. The normal feature update process is the best option. Use Windows Update or Windows Autopatch.
For Windows 10 devices or for new Windows 11 devices that you’re deploying, first upgrade them to Windows 11, version 24H2 to make the transition to version 25H2 as simple and quick as possible when it’s available.
