Snapdragon X2 Archives

Winsage

April 12, 2026

Windows on Arm isn’t the problem. Bad reviewers are.

Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission from purchases made through links in their articles. Recent reviews of the ASUS Zenbook A16 have raised discussions about Windows 11 on Arm, particularly regarding the performance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processors. Devices with Snapdragon X chips run Windows 11 on Arm, and Microsoft has improved compatibility significantly, with users spending 90% of their time on apps that run natively on Arm. While some reviews exaggerate app compatibility issues, many users cannot specify which apps do not work. The "Works on Windows on Arm" initiative lists compatible applications, including Google Chrome and Adobe Creative Suite. The ASUS Zenbook A16, featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and 48GB of RAM, now starts at ,699.99 after a price adjustment due to a listing error.

Winsage

April 7, 2026

Windows 11 Version 25H2 is Now Being Pushed to All Eligible PCs

Windows 11 version 25H2 is now available for Home and Pro users, rolling out to all non-managed PCs currently on version 24H2. The upgrade will be automatic for eligible users unless there are compatibility issues. Version 24H2 will reach its end of support on October 13, 2026, while version 25H2 will be supported until October 2027. The upgrade process uses a simple enablement package, and most features are accessible to both versions. However, version 25H2 removes certain legacy features like PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC. Users can choose when to restart or postpone the installation, but it becomes mandatory after a pause time limit. Windows 11 version 26H1 is in development and will debut on new devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Series processors.

Winsage

April 4, 2026

Microsoft is Forcing Windows 11 25H2 Update to 24H2 Users

Microsoft is forcefully upgrading users from the 24H2 version of Windows 11 to the latest 25H2 version through a "machine learning-based intelligent rollout." The 24H2 version will lose official support on October 13, 2026. Users can schedule a restart or postpone the update briefly, but they cannot opt out of the upgrade. The upcoming 26H1 update will be specifically for Windows-on-Arm devices, while the 26H2 update is expected later this year, promising new features and improvements.

Winsage

February 25, 2026

Microsoft Releases February Optional Updates for Windows 11

Microsoft has released optional February updates for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, which include several enhancements: - A network speed test tool accessible from the taskbar for measuring Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular connections. - Enhanced camera settings with new pan and tilt options for supported cameras. - A built-in version of the System Monitor (Sysmon) tool, available as an optional feature. - Improvements to Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 11 Arm64 devices. - A new automatic recovery tool for Windows 11 Professional devices not domain-joined. - Support for .webp images as desktop backgrounds. - Introduction of new emojis in the Emoji 16.0 release. - BitLocker improvements to prevent devices from becoming unresponsive after entering a recovery key. Additionally, Microsoft has shared release notes for an upcoming optional update for Windows 11 version 26H1, which is currently only available to Insiders on the Canary Channel and is expected to debut on new devices with advanced silicon.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Hands on with Windows 11 26H1 and why this update is not meant for your PC

Microsoft has announced Windows 11 26H1, a release intended exclusively for new ARM devices launching in 2026, specifically those powered by the Snapdragon X2 series. This version is not a feature update for existing PCs and will not appear in Windows Update notifications for users on Intel or AMD hardware. Windows 11 26H1 is based on a new internal core designed for ARM silicon, referred to as a "hardware-optimized release," and may carry the codename Bromine. The OS Build number for 26H1 is 28020.1611, distinguishing it from previous updates. Key enhancements include full integration of semantic natural-language search within Settings, an increase in the FAT32 format limit from 32 GB to 2 TB, and UI refinements. Notable omissions include the removal of .NET Framework 3.5 as an optional feature and a safeguard preventing the System Preparation Tool from running in Safe Mode. Windows 11 26H2 is expected later in 2026 for existing PCs.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

It seems Microsoft just started work on Windows 11 27H2 — and this could be the update that saves the OS… or dooms it

Microsoft has bifurcated its Canary testing channel for Windows 11 into two paths to prepare for significant updates, particularly the 27H2 update. One path will unify Arm PCs with AMD and Intel devices, while Arm PCs will receive a platform update codenamed 'Bromine' with Windows 11 version 26H1, due to the introduction of Snapdragon X2 silicon. Non-Arm PCs will receive a separate 26H2 update, referred to as 'Germanium', without the need for modifications. Canary testers on the newer build series will focus on foundational changes for the 27H2 update, while earlier build series testers will explore new functionalities. Microsoft aims to enhance existing features, address bugs, and improve responsiveness while also strengthening its quality assurance processes to reduce public glitches.

Winsage

February 18, 2026

Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 26H1 will be supported for consumers until March 2028, with rollout starting for PCs with eligible CPUs, specifically the Snapdragon X2 family, which includes Snapdragon X2 Plus, Snapdragon X2 Elite, and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. The official launch occurred on February 10, 2026, alongside its first cumulative update. Users with first-generation Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs cannot upgrade to this version. Windows 11 26H1 is described as a "hardware-optimized release" aimed at enhancing performance and efficiency for Arm-based chips, though it does not promise significant enhancements over version 25H2 or the upcoming 26H2. Enterprise and Education editions will be supported until March 13, 2029, while Home and Pro editions will be supported until March 14, 2028. Windows 11 SE is not supported in 26H1. A new release, Windows 11 26H2, is expected to be available for all users, including those with first-generation Arm-based PCs, and will be the recommended update for broader deployment. Upgrades from version 25H1 to 26H1 are not possible, and all upgrade paths are currently closed, with plans to transition to version 27H2 in the latter half of 2027.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft rolls out Windows 11 26H1, but you can’t have it

Microsoft has released Windows 11 26H1, which is specifically designed for devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 hardware and is not intended for most users. This version will not be available as an in-place update, will not have a successor (26H2), and will not support hotpatch updates. IT administrators are advised to use Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 for enterprise deployment. The release marks the retirement of the .NET Framework 3.5 as a Windows Feature on Demand optional component, effective with Windows 11 version 26H1. Support for .NET Framework 3.5 will end on January 9, 2029, prompting developers to prioritize migration efforts. Only devices with Snapdragon X2 hardware running Windows 11 26H1 will be affected by this change.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft releases Windows 11 26H1, but it’s not for existing PCs. Windows 11 26H2 is coming for all PCs

Microsoft has confirmed the existence of Windows 11 26H1, which will roll out exclusively on new PCs equipped with Snapdragon X2 chips starting in early 2026. This version is tailored for ARM-based devices and will not be available for download or installation on current PCs. Windows 11 26H1 does not introduce new features but focuses on performance and battery life improvements. It may also be optimized for Nvidia N1X chips, which are expected to release in Q1 2026. Windows 11 26H2 is set to roll out for existing hardware in October 2026 as a normal yearly update. It will be based on the same core platform as previous versions 24H2 and 25H2, while 26H1 operates on a different core, meaning there is no upgrade path from 26H1 to 26H2. Both versions will unify under Windows 27H2 in 2027.

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Microsoft secretly working FREE updates for Windows 11

Microsoft is set to introduce new features for Windows 11, following the discontinuation of Windows 10 support. Two major updates are planned for 2026: Windows 11 Version 26H1, available only for new PCs with the Snapdragon X2 chip, and Version 26H2, which will be released to all users in the autumn. Key features include the integration of Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, which can replace the standard search box on the Taskbar, allowing users to ask questions and search documents using natural language. The calendar flyout on the Taskbar will be updated to show upcoming events and reminders, syncing with the Outlook app. A new full-screen Xbox app will transform Windows PCs into Xbox consoles, optimizing for gamepad use. Microsoft is also exploring video-based wallpapers for the desktop, allowing continuous video playback. Additionally, Copilot will be integrated into File Explorer for enhanced productivity, enabling users to chat about files and generate document summaries.