Technology

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H1 will be for Arm devices only at launch — Snapdragon X2-powered devices officially shipping with 26H1

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Feb 11, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 26H1 update will be exclusive to Arm devices at launch, specifically those powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 SoCs. This update marks a shift in Microsoft's update model for 2026, with 26H1 running on a newer codebase than its predecessor, Windows 11 25H2. Devices running 26H1 will not be able to upgrade to 26H2 later this year but will have a path to update in future releases. This device-specific update strategy is aimed at supporting cutting-edge hardware, with Snapdragon X2 being the first SoC to require 26H1's codebase.

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