Windows 11 24H2 release date set for second half of 2024

The next feature update for Windows 11 arrives during the second half of year, confirming that we won't see a Windows 12 at least until 2025.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 24H2 preview
Windows 11 24H2 preview / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • Microsoft confirms the next version will be Windows 11 24H2.
  • The feature update will be released during the second half of 2024 (probably October).
  • This update will require complete reinstallation of the operating system.
  • Windows 11 24H2 will include more AI features, a new Sudo command, Voice Clarity, an archival wizard, Energy Saver, and more.

Microsoft has officially announced that it’s working on Windows 11 24H2, and it’s now scheduled to be released during the second half of 2024 as the annual feature update for the operating system. The new information indicates that the company has no plans to launch Windows 12 this year.

Release date

Although the exact date is unclear, as I understand it, the software giant plans to complete the development of the new version sometime in April. The feature update will first come to new ARM-based devices in the summer, sometime in June, with the core features and changes, and then the company will announce the release date for Windows 11 24H2 in October.

As usual, the company will test the final version of the operating system through the different channels of the Windows Insider Program, meaning that users will have the chance to get early access sometime in September and even earlier.

New features

Microsoft recently released Windows 11 build 26052 in the Dev and Canary Channel, which includes various pieces of version 24H2.

List of new features coming to Windows 11 24H2:

  • New Energy Saver mode for laptops and computers with batteries.
  • Quick Settings with scrollable settings.
  • New option to share Wi-Fi passwords through QR codes.
  • New wizard through File Explorer to create 7zip and TAR archives.
  • New Voice Clarity feature to filter and reduce noises with AI in real-time.
  • New Windows Protected Print Mode brings a modern print setup without third-party drivers.
  • Server Massage Block (SMB) protocol receives new changes.
  • Updates to the Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS).
  • Sudo command support on Windows 11 to run elevated commands without opening a new admin window.
  • Hearing Aid support enhancements through Bluetooth Low Energy Audio.
  • New microphone testing feature that compares audio processing modes for apps.
  • Copilot introduces a new context menu that reacts based on the clipboard content.
  • Copilot automatic launches on startup for 27-inch and larger monitors.
  • Settings app with Color Management settings to change color profiles without using the Control Panel.

These are only some of the items that Microsoft is planning for the next feature update of Windows 11, and during the development process, the company can always add more or remove features before the final release.

The company is also testing an updated interface of the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE) that refreshes the design of the wizard you typically use to install the operating system. However, it’s unclear if this feature could be released even before the next feature update.

Installation

Since this will be a significant update, it’s expected to require complete reinstallation of the operating system, and this won’t be a release like those monthly updates.

Microsoft will make version 24H2 available through the Windows Update settings and provide other methods as well. For example, shortly after the release, the company will update the Media Creation Tool and Installation Assistant to upgrade devices from version 23H2 and older releases to Windows 11 24H2.

Also, it’s expected that the company will make the ISO file available for download, which you can use to create a bootable media with third-party tools like Rufus or perform an in-place upgrade by mounting it in File Explorer. The ISO file also helps users to install Windows 11 on virtual machines.

What are your thoughts on this new version of the operating system? Let me know in the comments.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].