Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 26H1, yet has issued a cautionary note to most users, indicating that this update is not intended for them. According to the company’s Release Health Dashboard, this version is tailored exclusively for devices equipped with the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 hardware. It will not be available as an in-place update, nor will it receive a successor in the form of a 26H2 update later this year. Additionally, it will not support hotpatch updates.
In a message directed at IT administrators, Microsoft advised caution: “For IT admins planning refreshes, rollouts, or purchases, Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 remain the recommended releases for enterprise deployment at this time.”
Significant Changes Ahead
While Microsoft has vaguely referenced “improved performance and battery life” associated with the new ARM silicon, the release notes hint at a more profound transformation: the retirement of the long-standing .NET Framework 3.5. This framework, which has been a staple for nearly two decades, will no longer be available as a Windows Feature on Demand optional component starting with Windows 11 version 26H1.
As noted by Microsoft, “Starting with Windows 11 version 26H1, .NET Framework 3.5 is no longer a Windows Feature on Demand optional component.” Previously, it could be found in the list of Windows components in Windows 11 25H2, but its time has come to an end with the latest release.
Support for .NET Framework 3.5 is scheduled to conclude on January 9, 2029. Its removal from the features-on-demand list serves as a clear indication to developers that they should prioritize migration efforts if they have not already begun. Currently, only the new Snapdragon X2 hardware running Windows 11 26H1 will be impacted by this change. However, the implications are significant: soon, installing that legacy application essential to business operations on the latest laptops may not be as seamless as before, despite Microsoft’s assurances of “strong backward compatibility” as part of its ongoing commitment to users.
