Windows 11 24H2 Update: Microsoft announces release date

Microsoft has announced the release date for the Windows 11 24H2 update. The new version brings numerous AI features and improvements and will initially be released as a preview in September and then officially in October 2024.

Windows 11 24H2: Feature update is coming

The Redmond-based company has Blog post revealed the launch date for the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update. The feature update will initially be available on September 24, 2024 as an optional preview for early adopters. The official release will then take place on October 8, 2024 as part of the monthly Patch Tuesday rollout.

The transition to the Microsoft 365 app as the entry point for Microsoft Copilot will coincide with the annual release of the Windows 11 feature update, starting with the optional preview release without security updates on September 24, 2024, and then with the monthly security update release on October 8 for all supported versions of Windows 11. Reanne Wong, Product Marketing Manager for Windows 11 Enterprise

The Windows 11 24H2 update brings a variety of new features, with a focus on AI-supported functions:

• Increased system requirements (POPCNT / SSE 4.2)
• Many new AI features in conjunction with Copilot+
• Upgrade for taskbar, start menu, lock screen
• Improved smartphone integration
• File Explorer is upgraded
• New energy saving features
• All new features at a glance

The 24H2 update was already released on June 18, 2024 for Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Elite ARM processors. These devices require at least 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second) NPU performance. So the average consumer with AMD and Intel hardware is late this year.

Installation and compatibility

Microsoft will offer various upgrade and installation methods for the release of Windows 11 24H2, including classic ones via Windows Update, Media Creation Tool and the installation wizard. An ISO image should also be available for download soon. According to Microsoft, the system requirements for Windows 11 24H2 remain unchanged.

However, very old processors are no longer supported, even if they were previously able to run Windows 11. Keywords: POPCNT and SSE 4.2.