Windows 11 23H2 may be a cumulative update instead of an upgrade

• Windows 11 23H2 could release as a minor cumulative update dubbed the “Moment 4” update.
• The update is expected to introduce some new features and changes.
• However, the release won’t be as significant as those traditional feature updates.

Microsoft may release Windows 11 23H2 as a cumulative update instead of a feature update installation. Although we’re still months away from the rollout of the next version of Windows 11, it appears that the update won’t be as significant as it was originally expected.

Originally, Microsoft made feature updates available twice a year, and then the company switched to only one every year. However, the update schedule changed again when the software giant revealed that the operating system was going to receive new versions every three years, similar to the schedule for older versions of the operating system.

As part of the new versioning approach, the company also introduced “Moment” updates, minor updates between major releases. In 2023, the plan was to release at least three “Moment” updates. The first update, known as “Moment 2,” became available in February, and the second update, known as “Moment 3,” is expected to start rolling out sometime in June.

Now, there’s a chance for one more update (Moment 4), and some details are surfacing on the web. According to a set of tweets between @ZacBowden and @PhantomOfEarth (via Neowin), the “Moment 4” update will make the switch from version 22H2 to 23H2. Although this update is expected to include some new visual changes and features, the company may roll it out as a simple cumulative update, meaning it won’t require reinstallation as those yearly feature updates.

After the third release, it’s unclear the updates that will come in 2024, but it’s already known that the software giant plans to release a new version of its operating system (which may or may not carry the “Windows 12” name) sometime during the second half of the year.

Windows 12 is expected to introduce some significant visual changes to the desktop experience with a floating Taskbar and a top bar that will house the System Tray, Windows Search, and user profile information. In addition, the company is also working on making Windows 12 a modular operating system that will bring faster updates, improve security, and it’ll allow the company to implement more AI features.