Microsoft is initiating the rollout of its Windows 11 2025 update, also known as Windows 11 25H2, starting today. Curiously, users should temper expectations for immediate new features. The company describes this release primarily as an "enablement package," designed to integrate recent functionalities from the previous 24H2 update. Essentially, it serves to ensure all users are caught up with the latest core Windows 11 capabilities, bringing those who might have delayed previous updates onto the current baseline.
Beneath the surface, this 25HH2 update brings crucial under-the-hood improvements. Microsoft highlights "significant advancements in build and runtime vulnerability detection," alongside the integration of "AI-assisted secure coding" to bolster system integrity. Furthermore, the update aims for a more streamlined operating system by deprecating older components such as PowerShell 2.0 and the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC). While these are largely obscure to the average user, their removal could pose compatibility challenges for power users and IT professionals relying on legacy scripts built around PowerShell 2.0.
The distribution of the Windows 11 2025 update will follow Microsoft's standard phased rollout approach. Initially, it will reach users with existing 24H2 devices who have opted into receiving updates "as soon as they’re available" via Windows Update settings. With Microsoft's shift towards a more rapid update cycle, users can anticipate the introduction of more substantive, user-facing features for Windows 11 25H2 in subsequent releases over the coming months.
---
Originally published at: https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsofts-windows-11-2025-update-starts-rolling-out-today-but-dont-expect-anything-new-170005064.html
