platform changes Archives

Winsage

January 6, 2026

Snapragon X2 PCs ship with Windows 11 26H1 by April 2026. Existing PCs will get Windows 11 26H2

Qualcomm will start shipping new PCs with the Snapdragon X2 chipset by April 2026. This coincides with Microsoft testing Windows 11 26H1, which is designed for these new CPUs and will only be available on new Arm64 PCs. Windows 11 26H1 is not an update for existing PCs and will not be accessible to Intel or AMD users. Since November 2025, Windows Insiders have been testing this version, which is based on a platform release codenamed ‘Bromine’ and includes support for Snapdragon X2 Plus, Elite, and Extreme models. Microsoft has stated that 26H1 is aimed at supporting new processors and may involve changes to power states and scheduling. The build number for this version is 28000, and while there are minor user interface improvements, significant changes are expected in the upcoming Windows 11 26H2 release, anticipated for October 2026.

Winsage

December 16, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include: - Full screen experience (FSE) for handheld devices is now available on more devices, enhancing gaming through the Xbox app. - The Click to Do context menu has been redesigned for easier access to actions like Copy and Save. - Enhancements to the agent in Settings for quicker modifications and more search results. - Windows Studio Effects now supports additional cameras beyond integrated ones. - Drag Tray feature supports multi-file sharing and intelligent app suggestions. - Dark mode improvements in File Explorer for consistency across various dialogs. - Users can manage mobile devices from the Settings under Bluetooth & Devices. - New context menu options for Windows Spotlight backgrounds. - More keyboard settings transitioned to Settings, including character repeat delay and cursor blink rate. - Updates to Game Pass branding in Settings. - New OneDrive icon in Accounts and Homepages within Settings. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) will perform a one-time scan for solutions. - Virtual Workspaces can now be activated in Advanced Settings. - Various fixes for issues in File Explorer, Settings, Taskbar, Start menu, internet connectivity, display and graphics, login and lock screens, Narrator, Windows Update, Task Manager, and app responsiveness. Additionally, Paint version 11.2511.281.0 introduces a collapsible toolbar feature.

Winsage

November 10, 2025

Windows 11 26H1 coming for new processors only

Microsoft has announced the upcoming release of Windows 11 version 26H1, focusing on compatibility with specific silicon, likely Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. The new build, 28000, has appeared in the Windows Insider Canary channel, marking a shift from previous numbering conventions. This release is the first H1 update for Windows 11, following the last H2 release, 24H2. The 26H1 update will not enhance version 25H2 but will modify the platform for specific silicon advancements, particularly Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite and Elite Extreme chips, expected to launch in the first half of 2026. Version 25H2 will continue to provide new features, while version 26H1 prepares for future processors, with a subsequent 26H2 release planned for later in 2026. Microsoft has also introduced updates in the Dev and Beta channels to enhance user experience.

Winsage

November 9, 2025

Microsoft announces first test build for Windows 11 26H1, aimed at ‘specific silicon’ — Rumor mill suggests first “H1” release in Windows 11’s history might be reserved for upcoming Arm PCs

Windows 11 has introduced its latest major feature update, 25H2, and Microsoft has confirmed the upcoming "26H1" release with Preview Build 28000 in the Canary channel of the Insider Preview program. The 26H1 update is currently in testing and is expected to launch early next year, focusing on ARM architecture. Potential candidates for this update include the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Nvidia N1X systems, as Qualcomm prepares to release new chips in early 2026. Microsoft stated that 26H1 is not a feature update for version 25H2 but includes platform changes to support specific silicon, with no action required from customers. This marks the first time Microsoft has planned a major update for the beginning of the year, primarily to enhance support for specific ARM silicon. Preview Build 28000 serves as the base RTM build for Windows 11 26H1, allowing OEMs like Qualcomm and Nvidia to integrate it into their systems.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000 has been released to the Canary Channel, featuring general improvements and fixes. The versioning has been updated to Windows 11, version 26H1, which includes platform changes but is not a feature update for version 25H2. The primary source for new features remains version 25H2, and Windows 11 follows an annual feature update schedule. Fixes in this build include resolving live captions crashes and issues with the Outlook login credentials window. Known issues include unexpected scrolling in the Start menu and problems with sleep and shutdown functionalities. The Canary Channel focuses on early platform changes and may not correspond to specific Windows releases. Features may first appear in the Dev and Beta Channels before the Canary Channel, and localization will occur over time. Exiting the Canary Channel requires a clean installation of Windows 11.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 version 26H1, but it’s not what you think

Microsoft has released the initial preview build of Windows 11 version 26H1 for Insiders in the Canary Channel, which is not a feature update for Windows 11 but is intended to support next-generation silicon, specifically Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 and NVIDIA's N1X. Version 26H1 includes platform changes and does not require any action from customers. The focus for feature development will remain on version 25H2, with new features being rolled out first to Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels. The advancements in version 26H1 are tailored for upcoming Arm silicon and do not impact existing Windows 11 PCs.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft Releases First Windows 11 26H1 Build for Canary Testers

Microsoft has released the first build of Windows 11 version 26H1 for Insiders on the Canary Channel, focusing on refining the platform's architecture to support specific silicon advancements rather than introducing new features. The release is not a feature update for version 25H2 and requires no action from customers. It is expected to be optimized for new Copilot+ PCs powered by next-generation ARM silicon from Qualcomm and potentially other manufacturers. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite chips are anticipated to debut in the first half of 2026, while Nvidia's ARM-based N1X chip and MediaTek's ARM chip for Chromebook Plus devices have also emerged. The current build 28000 does not introduce new features, as version 25H2 remains the primary source for new updates, including enhancements like rearranging dashboards in the Widgets Board and a streamlined Quick Machine Recovery experience.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

Google Wallet Gets Android 16 Live Updates Support

Google Wallet is introducing support for Live Updates powered by Android 16, allowing users to access real-time information about flight times, train boarding details, and event ticket statuses directly from their lock screens. This feature was noted in the release notes for Google Play Services v25.41. Live Updates provide continuous status updates at the top of the screen, similar to persistent notifications, and are applicable across various apps. Google Wallet will utilize Live Updates to display dynamic statuses for supported passes related to flights, trains, and events, such as gate changes and entry windows. The rollout of this feature is underway, and users can expect to receive Live Updates for Wallet passes as partners provide the necessary data feeds.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27950 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27950 has been released to the Canary Channel, featuring general improvements and fixes. Key changes include a reversion of Advanced Settings to the previous “For Developers” experience, resolution of installation rollback issues related to specific error codes, and fixes for taskbar app preview misalignment, File Explorer context menu responsiveness, screen flickers during browser use, and audio issues. Dynamic Lighting CPU resource usage has been addressed, and foundational work has been done to enhance gaming performance. Known issues include increased bugchecks for some Arm64 PCs and playback problems with PIX on Windows. Insiders in the Canary Channel should note that builds may not align with specific Windows releases and that a clean installation is required to exit the channel. A desktop watermark is present in pre-release builds.

Winsage

September 12, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27943 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27943 has been rolled out to the Canary Channel, featuring general enhancements and fixes. Key fixes include resolving an unresponsive issue in the Storage settings, correcting a taskbar glitch with app previews, fixing HDR settings, addressing an Event Viewer error related to the Microsoft Pluton Cryptographic Provider, and resolving issues with device casting PIN confirmation and the Group Policy Editor display in Chinese. Known issues include potential rollbacks during installation with specific error codes, increased bugchecks on Arm64 PCs, inability to playback GPU captures in PIX, screen flickering in browsers, and audio issues with devices marked in Device Manager. Insiders are advised to update drivers to resolve audio problems. The Canary Channel builds are early development versions and may not align with future Windows releases. Features may change, be removed, or not be released to the public. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel, and a desktop watermark will be present in pre-release builds.