Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 26H1 will be supported for consumers until March 2028, with the rollout beginning for PCs equipped with eligible CPUs. Currently, the only confirmed processor supporting this version is the Snapdragon X2, although there may be additional compatible chips, such as the Nvidia N1X, pending further announcements regarding unreleased CPUs.
The official launch of Windows 11 26H1 took place on February 10, 2026, coinciding with the release of its first cumulative update. The company emphasizes that the supported processors are limited to the Snapdragon X2 family, which now includes:
- Snapdragon X2 Plus “X2P”
- Snapdragon X2 Elite “X2E”
- Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme “X2E”
Only the latest Snapdragon X2 CPUs come pre-installed with Windows 11 26H1, meaning that users with first-generation Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs will not have the option to upgrade.
Microsoft describes version 26H1 as a “hardware-optimized release,” a term not previously utilized by the company. This update is crafted to leverage next-generation silicon developed in collaboration with device manufacturers and silicon partners.
In a supplementary support document, Microsoft alludes to potential new features tailored for these Arm-based chips. It states, “Windows 11, version 26H1 is a hardware-optimized release…. with capabilities tailored specifically for those platforms.” While the specifics of these capabilities remain unclear, they are likely to enhance performance, power efficiency, or battery longevity.
Despite being an exclusive release, Windows 11 26H1 does not promise significant enhancements or features compared to the existing version 25H2 or the forthcoming 26H2, which will be available to all users. All Windows versions will continue to receive the same monthly updates for security and quality improvements.
Windows 11 26H1 support cycle
For Enterprise and Education editions—including Education, Enterprise, and Enterprise multi-session—Windows 11 26H1 will be supported until March 13, 2029. The support period begins on February 10, 2026, lasting approximately 37 months. In contrast, Home and Pro editions, which encompass Pro Education and Pro for Workstations, will receive support until March 14, 2028, starting from the same launch date and extending for 25 months.
It is important to note that Windows 11 SE is not included in the 26H1 support, as version 24H2 was the last supported iteration for that platform.
You really don’t need Windows 11 26H1, as you miss out on nothing
Having used Windows 11 26H1 for some time, I have not encountered any substantial changes, leading me to conclude that users with non-Snapdragon X2 hardware will not miss out on anything by opting to remain on their current systems.
A new release, Windows 11 26H2, is on the horizon for all users, including those with first-generation Arm-based PCs. Unlike version 26H1, which is specifically tailored for certain hardware, version 26H2 will be the recommended update for broader deployment across various organizations.
Windows 11 26H2 appears to build upon versions 25H2 and 24H2, so users should not anticipate major upgrades, such as kernel or scheduler changes. Conversely, Windows 11 26H1 represents a new platform release, which is why upgrades from version 25H1 to 26H1 are not possible. All upgrade paths are currently closed, with plans for Microsoft to transition Windows 11 26H1 and 26H2 to version 27H2 in the latter half of 2027.
