- To check whether Windows 11 26H2 is installed on your computer, press the “Windows key + R” shortcut, enter the “winver” command, click “OK,” and confirm that the version number is equal to or greater than 26300.9278.
- Another way is to open Settings > System > About and confirm whether version 26H2 is installed in the “Windows Specifications” section.
On Windows 11, you can quickly confirm whether version 26H2 is installed using two built-in tools. In this guide, I’ll show you how to check the version using the winver command and the “About” page in Settings.
After a feature update, Microsoft may show a welcome screen highlighting new features and changes. However, this screen isn’t always shown, and it doesn’t provide the actual Windows version number. Instead, it offers a brief overview of what’s new.
For example, Windows 11 version 26H2, also known as the Windows 11 2026 Update, is the annual second-half feature update for 2026. The 26 represents the year, while H2 indicates the second half of the year.
To confirm that Windows 11 26H2 is installed on your computer, you can use the “winver” command or access the “About” settings page.
In this guide, I outline the steps to verify if Windows 11 26H2 is already installed on your laptop or desktop computer.
- Check if Windows 11 26H2 is installed from Winver
- Check if Windows 11 26H2 is installed from Settings
Check if Windows 11 26H2 is installed from Winver
To check whether your computer has Windows 11 26H2 installed, follow these steps:
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Open Start on Windows 11.
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Search for
winverand press Enter.
Quick tip: Use the “Windows key + R” keyboard shortcut, type thewinvercommand, and click the “OK” button. -
Confirm if the “About Windows” dialog reads “Version 26H2” and “OS Build 26300.9278.”
If the dialog shows “Version 26H2” along with “OS Build 26300.9278” or a higher build number, then the Windows 11 2026 Update is installed.
Check if Windows 11 26H2 is installed from Settings
To confirm you have Windows 11 26H2 installed from the Settings app, follow these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on System.
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Click the About page on the right side.
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Check under the “Windows specifications” section and confirm that the “Version” is set to “26H2.”
If the “About” page shows the “26H2” number and the build number is equal to or higher than “26300.9278,” you are running the next version of the operating system.
At the time of this writing, Windows 11 26H2 is available through the Release Preview channel from the Windows Insider Program, and it’s expected to start rolling out sometime in September or October 2026.
The feature update will be available as an optional installation, meaning it won’t install automatically unless you trigger it manually or the current version on the device is nearing the end of support.
Aside from the version number and a few small changes, there’s no difference between version 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2, as all three operating systems share the same file system.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].