The long-awaited 24H2 update for Windows 11 may be coming a little later than previously speculated. At least, that’s the latest rumors and speculation online.
Windows Latest has received an update from Microsoft regarding the potential release timing for 24H2 (as part of the rollout of minor updates to Windows 11 that we just reported on).
Microsoft tells us that: “Windows 11, version 24H2 will be available later this year as a traditional feature update for all devices.”
Of course, no specific time frame is mentioned here, but since Windows Latest and others have suggested that the wording Microsoft uses here, “later this year,” is a hint (admittedly a vague one) that it will be Q4 rather than Q3.
Okay, technically “later this year” could mean next month, but if we’re looking at an August 2024 release, it would be an odd phrasing, let’s be honest.
The current rumor about the Windows 11 24H2 debut is September 2024but maybe we’ll wait a little longer, given this little hint that Microsoft has given. There are other reasons to believe that this could be the case, so let’s dive into those now.
Analysis: Too Many Roles to Play?
The reality is that Microsoft is releasing a very different kind of update this year, as the annual upgrade for Windows 11 has already been made available – on Copilot+ PCs, at least. That said, that’s not the whole truth, as what’s installed on those AI-focused laptops is a naked version of Windows 11 24H2 – which is required because Copilot+ devices need the underlying platform that came with 24H2 (called Germanium).
Those installations of 24H2 on Copilot+ PCs won’t have all of the features that will be introduced with the full 24H2 update when it ships later this year. Everyone on Windows 11, Copilot+, and regular PCs will get that update, with all of the features on board, rolling out simultaneously as normal.
The point is, though, Microsoft has a lot more on its plate with the 2024 Annual Update process, as it had to do all the prep work for Copilot+ PCs (and the behind-the-scenes work on Germanium). On top of that, there’s a lot of effort needed to bring in new AI features, including some big ones like Recall, the controversial addition that got pulled. Recall is indeed a flagship AI feature, and one that Microsoft currently needs to completely overhaul (it’s even been pulled from test builds for now). Again, that’s more work.
So, this is why we’re not exactly optimistic about a previously rumored September 2024 release window anymore. Simply put, Microsoft has so many plates spinning with the preparation of 24H2 and other AI features, plus dealing with an almighty headache surrounding Recall, that it’s all too easy to believe that a Q4 release is at least somewhat likely for 24H2. After all, it might not arrive until November (which has happened with a Windows H2 update in the past), and Microsoft may just need more breathing room this time around.
Of course, this is pure speculation, and 24H2 could make the cut for Q3 – or rather September (we’d be shocked to see an August release, to be honest). As always, we’ll wait and see, but monitoring 24H2’s progress in testing should give us more clues as we move into 2024.