Microsoft's next Windows 11 update is more 'enablement' than upgrade
- Reference: 1751286253
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/06/30/microsoft_windows_11_25h2/
- Source link:
[1]25H2 became available to Windows Insiders at the end of last week and will be this year's annual feature update.
Microsoft fans hoping for a Windows 12 to make the pain of Windows 11 24H2 go away will therefore be disappointed. Rather than a complete refresh, Windows 11 25H2 is effectively Windows 11 24H2, with additional features that Microsoft can turn on via an enablement package.
[2]
Jason Leznek, Principal Project Manager for Windows Servicing and Delivery, said: "Windows 11, version 24H2 and version 25H2 share the same source code, with only the additional features turned on.
[3]
[4]
"Therefore, there should be no impact on compatibility between the two. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't test, but you can focus your tests on the new features rather than a full complement of OS, application, or device compatibilities."
It's good to know that Microsoft has heard of testing, since Windows 11 24H2 has had its share of issues since its 2024 release. A glance at the [5]Windows Release Health Dashboard shows that things have not gone well by Microsoft's own admission. The operating system has suffered a fair amount of problems, and the company slapped on [6]compatibility holds when these related to software and hardware.
[7]Back in black: Microsoft Blue Screen of Death is going dark
[8]Microsoft dangles extended Windows 10 support in exchange for Reward Points
[9]Windows 11 migration heats up... on desktops
[10]Microsoft slows Windows 11 24H2 Patch Tuesday due to a 'compatibility issue'
The good or bad news (depending on your experience) is that having the same code base means that everything which worked on Windows 11 24H2 will continue working on Windows 11 25H2, and everything that didn't, won't.
The release of Windows 11 25H2 to Insiders follows [11]news that Microsoft plans to retire the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) which appeared on millions of devices during the [12]the 2024 CrowdStrike fiasco , when a faulty update from the infosec vendor crashed Windows systems. Although the update was quickly withdrawn, the damage had already been done for many users.
[13]
The baleful blue will be replaced by a black "unexpected restart" screen, although the stop error code will still be visible at the bottom of the display. Quick machine recovery is to be added too, for when PCs cannot restart successfully, and, after the catastrophic CrowdStrike update, Microsoft is adding tools to allow antivirus and endpoint protection vendors to run their wares in user mode, outside the Windows kernel.
The BSoD replacement is due to roll out on Windows 11 24H2 devices over the summer (and so will also be a part of Windows 11 25H2). Meanwhile the [14]Windows endpoint security platform , which will usher antivirus and endpoint protection vendors out of the Windows kernel, will arrive in private preview in July. ®
Get our [15]Tech Resources
[1] https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/06/27/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26200-5670-dev-channel/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aGK0lbP5ui9jtSu596JMfAAAARM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aGK0lbP5ui9jtSu596JMfAAAARM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aGK0lbP5ui9jtSu596JMfAAAARM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/14/windows_11_24h2_hold/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/26/microsoft_bsod_goes_black/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/25/microsoft_free_esu_tier/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/20/windows_11_migration_heats_up/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/11/microsoft_slows_windows_11_24h2/
[11] https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2025/06/26/the-windows-resiliency-initiative-building-resilience-for-a-future-ready-enterprise/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/19/crowdstrike_falcon_sensor_bsod_incident/
[13] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aGK0lbP5ui9jtSu596JMfAAAARM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/28/microsoft_closed_security_summit/
[15] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Details, details
It's hard to work out what the real differences are. One that stands out to me is
Further Integration with Microsoft Services:
- Deeper integration with OneDrive, Teams, and other Microsoft 365 tools.
- More cloud-driven functionalities, such as cloud backups or storage options.
You can bet "storage" here means provided by Microsoft and nobody else.
So just trying to lock people in and generate even more revenue? Not much has changed then. Almost a non-story.
Then we go on to the cringeworthy
- Strengthening security features like Windows Defender, BitLocker, and AppGuard.
Presumably only for Pro users since Microsoft decided BitLocker wasn't necessary for Home users.
' ...will therefore be disappointed... '
Windows releases seem to be more about disappointment management than anything else these days. I expect there is a whole User Disappointment Management Department somewhere, subservient to the Complaints Division, naturally. Before Windows 12 can be released I'm expecting the Reduced Expectations Branch to join forces with the above but all the incompatibilities have to be ironed out first.
Windows 12?
What? 12? I think you'll find that Windows 10 was actually the last version of Windows. I'm sure Microsoft said it's 'The last Windows you'll ever need'
I mean.. it kind of was the last thing I needed at the time.
Unexpected?
Anticipated
Restart
Screen
Enabled
Re: Unexpected?
Excellent use of caps!
Except I can't think of a "D" ending that would work.
At last. MS has managed to eliminate the Blue Screen of Death ...
... hold on, wait a minute!
"features that Microsoft can turn on via an enablement package."
Would be nice if MS also made a DISablement package to turn all of that onedrive, adware, copilot crapware off !
illegally your's, Microsoft
My pc, that has literally been disconnected from the internet for YEARS, decided to "wake up", and is blasting me with "restart to install the newest micro$ features" prompt. I have heard it spinning and downloading in the middle of the night. It's NOT even connected to the wifi! I swear the thing reached out and connected its self in the middle of the night! By brute force.
Re: illegally your's, Microsoft
Mine does the same. I don't even switch it on when there is WiFi nearby. Remember whispernet that came with a kindle... I think the same thing is happening.
Re: illegally your's, Microsoft
If it's connected to a network with other Windows machines that are able to reach the internet, yes they do distribute updates that way. It's basically a CDN. Saves a lot of bandwidth for users as well as MS, allegedly. It can be turned off (Settings -> Windows Update -> Advanced options -> Delivery Optimisation)
We're going to install more spyware & bloat
... and call it an upgrade.
My bet is that it is just another step towards the M$ subscription for everything SaaS model with even more spyware and adverts.
based on 24H2
So it is already a crock of shit, and that is without all this "enablement" shit. I wish it would concentrate on tools to allow you to remove all the bloat and unwanted crap and not have to check after each patch tuesday for
a) working machine
b) what shit Microsoft has reinstalled
c) what shit Microsoft has reenabled
Re: "Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 share the same source code"
I thought ALL versions of Windows shared a lot of the source code, which probably means that some skanky old stuff*, which no one at MS understands any more, lurks below the hood biding its time waiting for an opportunity to spring unwelcome surprises** on all and sundry.
* though probably not quite as skanky as the newer (AI-generated) stuff.
** don't worry, they'll release a patch*** in at least three months after denying it's an issue for a couple of weeks before finally admitting that it may be causing minor issues, though it's only affecting a small number of users****
*** which itself will need patching a month later as it broke printing documents on a Friday afternoon yet again
**** e.g. major outages and downtime for around 10% of the world
IF they enable by default VBS for all machines I'll feel well served
VBS (virtualization based security) is mainly used to prevent "driver hijacking attacks" (also known as "Bring your own insecure driver" attacks). These security features depend on HVCI instructions. these have a theoretical performance impact of 0% to -40% with -15% to -30% in real world desktop applications.
To accelerate HVCI, so that the performance drop is 0% in all cases, one needs another feature set called MBEC*. Also, your drivers have too play nice with it.
Currently all machines that shipped from the assembly line with Win11 have that turned on by default (as required by microsoft), while most machines that were upgraded from Win10 to Win11 have it off by default (to prevent driver snafus, while manufacturers updated their drivers to play nice with HVCI/MBEC).
If, for 25H2 MS turned this on by default for all machines, the whole Windows 11 ecosystem would be MUCH MORE secure. And, this would serve as preparation for making the support "MADATORY" in Win 11 26H2 (i.e. users getting the correct driver and/or replacing peripherals with drivers that still do not play nice with HVCI/MBEC)...
There is hope, one can dream....
* Present on Intel processors since the 7th gen and AMD processors since ZEN+
More info: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/bringup/device-guard-and-credential-guard
Windows 11 25H2
Meh !!!
:)