Microsoft has confirmed that the next version of Windows will be called Windows 11 25H2, and it will be a minor update deployed via an enablement package. Similar to 23H2, which was also an enablement package, it is expected to be less than 1MB in size and will be deployed through a cumulative update.
This update will bring some notable changes. For example, a new Start Menu with a grid and categorized layout will be enabled. A new feature will also be introduced that, when Windows detects you’ve left your computer (possibly based on your mouse and keyboard interaction status), will limit CPU usage.
Although the Windows 11 25H2 enablement package itself is technically less than 1MB, it will activate the new features mentioned above. This is because all major changes have already been installed on your PC over the past few months through regular cumulative updates. Windows Latest observed during testing that new feature binaries, gradually added through these updates, are stored in %windir%\WinSxS. The Windows 11 25H2 enablement package simply needs to flip feature flags in the manifest.
Once the patch is applied, you’ll see the version number “25H2” in Settings > System > About. While the 25H2 download might appear to activate all features at once, in reality, all these changes are already present in your system, just in a disabled state. The Windows 11 25H2 package merely unlocks them.
Enablement packages only require a standard restart, and you won’t see significant bandwidth usage. Windows 11 25H2 will only appear as a small update on fully updated PCs. Therefore, if you haven’t installed monthly updates for a while, the 25H2 update might ultimately feel like a major feature release.
Why Windows 11 25H2 Is An Enablement Package, Not A Full Feature Update?
Why not include everything in Windows 11 25H2 and call it a big feature update? This is because Microsoft can’t label it as a “feature” update. Windows 11 24H2 has already been a mess, and it’s still unclear if Windows 12 will be released in 2026. My guess is that Microsoft doesn’t want to release a major feature update at this time. This is the best option for all involved parties, including consumers, businesses, and Microsoft.
A More Stable Update
Unlike last year’s update, Windows 11 25H2 will be more focused on fixing problems, including File Explorer issues. A recent update has already fixed a long-standing bug where File Explorer’s “Home” tab took several seconds to load, and there have also been improvements in the loading speed of “Home” in Settings.
Windows 11 25H2 officially provides Microsoft with time to focus on bug fixes rather than adding new features, as it doesn’t need to promote the release as a “feature upgrade.”
The Windows 11 2025 update is expected to begin rolling out to everyone in October.