Microsoft Releases Windows 11 25H2 Update for Release Preview Testing

Overview

Microsoft announced that the Windows 11 version 25H2 update is now ready for testing in the Release Preview channel. This release continues the company’s schedule of major Windows 11 updates that arrive in the second half of the year, a 2025 plan that remains unchanged. The 25H2 update does not introduce a large set of brand‑new features; instead, it incorporates the same enhancements that were delivered in the earlier 24H2 rollout. Those features have already been downloaded to devices, so the final installation process is expected to be swift.

Feature Removals

Among the notable changes in 25H2 are the removal of two legacy components: PowerShell 2.0 and the Windows Management Instrumentation command‑line utility (WMIC). These tools have been superseded by newer management solutions, and their deprecation streamlines the operating system’s footprint and security surface.

Enterprise Controls

For commercial and educational customers, the update adds a new capability that lets IT administrators remove selected pre‑installed Microsoft Store apps. This can be performed through Group Policy or the Mobile Device Management (MDM) configuration service provider (CSP) on Enterprise and EDU devices. The addition gives organizations greater control over the app landscape on managed Windows 11 machines, supporting tighter compliance and customization.

Installation Process

Because the update uses Microsoft’s shared servicing branch, the upgrade from the current 24H2 version to 25H2 requires only a single system restart. The new features have already been staged in earlier updates but remain disabled until an enablement package activates them. Users who wish to try the preview can join the Release Preview channel, then navigate to the Windows Update section of Settings and select the option to install version 25H2 (Build 26200.5074). The process is designed to be straightforward, minimizing downtime for participants.

What to Expect

While Microsoft has not detailed many specific feature changes beyond the removals and enterprise controls, the update is positioned as a refinement of the 24H2 experience. Early testers can anticipate a smooth transition, with the bulk of new functionality already present on their systems and awaiting activation. The move reinforces Microsoft’s strategy of delivering incremental improvements via a shared servicing model, aiming to keep Windows 11 current without disruptive, large‑scale upgrades.