Microsoft releases one major version of Windows every year, but it has not yet confirmed what this year’s release will look like. It’s basically a formality because Redmond’s been using the same scheme for years. But if you’re interested in development gossip, know that the 26H2 version will be made. Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26300.7674 was confirmed.
This build was released before the end of January in the Dev channel. The numerical marking has jumped from 26220 to 26300. Functionally, this release has not yet offered much news, however, a change in marking is always a signal that we are heading for the next major version.
In the usual places where the system reports the version, it still says 25H2. But as the website noticed Windows Latestinteresting information is hidden in Settings | Windows Update | Update History | Uninstall updates. There, after updating to build 26300, you will learn that it has been installed activation package for version 26H2.
Version 26H2 was first mentioned by Microsoft
As far as I know, Microsoft has never explicitly mentioned version 26H2 until now. In November, it only confirmed that it was developing Windows 11 26H1. You can currently find a build with this label in the Canary channel (it’s build 28000).
However, existing users may not be interested in Windows 11 26H1, as it will only be pre-installed on computers with Snapdragon X2.
Existing machines will not get this system. Only version 26H2 will target them in the second half of the year. The 25H2 version is based on the 24H2 version and is activated with an activation package. With the 26H2 version, we should again expect an upgrade and bigger interventions in the core technologies. Those are now being tested in the Canary channel so there is no confusion.
date:2026-02-07 16:43:00