- Windows 11 26H1 is a version focused on ARM hardware support, based on a new Bromine core and not intended for existing x86 PCs.
- It will only come pre-installed on new devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2, while Intel and AMD devices will remain on 24H2/25H2 until 26H2.
- Devices running 26H1 will receive monthly patches and new manageable features, but will not be able to upgrade to 26H2 and will have to wait for a future version as early as 2027.
The Windows 11 26H1 update is generating a lot of buzz because it breaks with the usual way of releasing new versions of the system. It's not just any update, and certainly not something you'll see appear on your PC routinely through Windows Update if you're using a traditional computer with an Intel or AMD processor, unlike the systems designed for Windows 11 on ARM.
Rather, we're dealing with a very specific and restricted version , created by Microsoft to accompany the arrival of a new generation of devices with ARM architecture, primarily those using Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 chips. This has generated doubts and some commotion: Why isn't my PC receiving it? Does this mean my computer will suddenly become obsolete? What about future versions?
What exactly is Windows 11 26H1 and why is it so different?
Windows 11 26H1 is essentially a hardware support edition , not a typical feature update. Its main purpose is to prepare the operating system for a new kernel (Windows Core) and a different codebase, internally codenamed Bromine , with which Microsoft aims to maximize performance and efficiency on the latest generation of ARM-based systems, as explained in our guide to optimizing the kernel and performance.
This means that Windows 11 26H1 doesn't come loaded with groundbreaking features compared to Windows 11 25H2. In terms of user-visible options, it remains virtually the same as that version. The big changes are underneath: drivers, firmware, power management, and deep support for the new silicon that will be used in laptops and ARM-based computers released throughout 2026.
Microsoft has made it clear that this is a very limited and niche branch of the operating system. It is not intended to replace the "normal" versions used by the vast majority of x86 computers, but rather to enable a specific path for the new ARM devices that are entering the market.
In practice, what you have is a kind of fork in Windows 11 : on the one hand, a path focused on computers with Intel and AMD (x86) processors, and on the other, a variant designed to get the most out of modern ARM chips, starting with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 series.
Which devices will receive Windows 11 26H1 and what about Intel and AMD?
One of the most confusing points is that Windows 11 26H1 will not be offered via Windows Update on existing PCs. If your computer has an Intel or AMD processor, forget about seeing this version as an automatic update: you'll be stuck on Windows 11 25H2 (or 24H2, depending on your system) until the next major general release, 26H2, arrives.
The reason is simple: 26H1 is designed almost exclusively for ARM hardware , specifically for a very limited set of new devices that will begin selling in the first quarter of 2026. Microsoft itself has explained that it will only be deployed on "a select number of new devices" with specific chips, and that they do not plan to offer it as an in-place upgrade from 24H2 or 25H2 on devices already in circulation.
To give you an idea, the current compatibility list focuses on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 series (X2 Elite and X2 Plus models). These are next-generation ARM processors with CPUs of up to 18 cores, powerful NPUs for AI, and a strong emphasis on energy efficiency. The first laptops with these chips are coming from manufacturers like ASUS, HP, and Lenovo, and these are the ones designed to run Windows 11 26H1 out of the box.
For now, even older ARM chips, such as the Snapdragon X1, are excluded from this version . This makes it clear that 26H1 is far from a general-purpose update: it's entirely focused on the new generation of hardware and not on the devices you already have at home or in the office.
If you're currently using a Windows PC with an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processor, you can rest assured: your device will remain on the 24H2 or 25H2 branches , receiving security updates, quality patches, and minor new features as usual, and your next big update will be Windows 11 26H2 when it's released in the second half of the year.
The new Bromine base and the focus on performance, battery life and stability
The major internal change in Windows 11 26H1 is that it's based on a different kernel than 24H2 and 25H2 . This foundation, known as Bromine, introduces a different platform, fine-tuned for compatible ARM SoCs, with a stack of drivers and system components specifically optimized for them.
This deep restructuring aims primarily to improve raw performance and stability in these target devices. By combining a tailored Windows platform with the new Snapdragon X2 processors, Microsoft wants to ensure that the devices are released to the market fully "rounded" in terms of hardware support: from CPU and NPU management to advanced power management.
One of the expected benefits is improved battery life in ARM laptops. These processors are already designed with a philosophy similar to that of mobile phones, heavily focused on low power consumption, and by pairing them with a version of Windows designed for their silicon, the aim is to maximize this advantage. Initial performance and battery life tests are expected to show even greater improvements compared to the first tests conducted with prototypes and previous builds.
Windows 11 26H1 also includes the full feature set of Windows 11 25H2 . You don't lose any features by being on this branch; you simply have "the same Windows" but built on a different foundation. End users will notice a difference in system performance and battery life, provided their hardware is compatible.
Under the hood, Microsoft speaks of "device innovations and new hardware capabilities ," and of platform changes necessary to support very specific silicon. The idea is that all this investment is not a one-off, but rather the foundation of the Windows on ARM line for the coming years, where other competitors are expected to arrive, such as NVIDIA's future ARM SoCs (N1X series) and perhaps other manufacturers.
How to install Windows 11 26H1 and what options you have as a user
Although Windows 11 26H1 officially comes pre-installed on new ARM computers , it's possible to install it manually on compatible devices that meet Microsoft's hardware requirements. However, this only applies to computers with modern ARM processors from the appropriate family.
In these cases, you won't have the option to update through Windows Update as you would with a regular version. To get it, you'll need to download the official ISO image that Microsoft makes available to advanced users and administrators, selecting the edition and language you want through the usual Windows download tools, or even try Windows 11 without installing it before proceeding.
Once you have the ISO on your PC, the logical next step is to create a bootable USB drive . One of the simplest and most popular solutions for this is the free program Rufus, which allows you to create Windows installation media from a single, straightforward window.
The process would be something like this: connect a USB drive to your computer, open Rufus, select the destination USB drive , and then load the Windows 11 26H1 ISO image from within the application. Adjust the recommended parameters for UEFI/ARM systems accordingly and ensure that the Secure Boot certificates are in order by renewing them . When everything is ready, click the "Start" button to create the installation media.
The final step involves configuring the boot order of the target computer , specifying that it should boot from the USB port to launch the Windows 11 26H1 installation wizard. From there, simply follow the typical steps: choose language, edition, partitions, etc. However, all of this only makes sense if you actually have a device with the appropriate hardware; on a PC with Intel or AMD processors, you won't be able to install this branch using the channels supported by Microsoft.
PC and laptop models compatible with Snapdragon X2 and Windows 11 26H1
The actual compatibility of Windows 11 26H1 is currently limited to a handful of devices with Snapdragon X2 processors , all of them mid-to-high or high-end, with prices that are usually above 1.000 euros due to the cutting-edge nature of their hardware.
In the case of ASUS, it's the manufacturer that has made the strongest entry into this platform, offering several options with different form factors and screen sizes, but all based on Qualcomm's new SoCs. We're talking about ultralight laptops, convertibles, and even an all-in-one desktop, all designed to take advantage of the blend of performance and efficiency that ARM promises.
ASUS's catalog features models like the Zenbook A14 (UX3407NA) , a 14-inch laptop with a 1920x1200 60Hz OLED display, a lightweight chassis, and a Snapdragon X2 Elite processor with up to 18 CPU cores and an 80-TOPS NPU. It offers up to 32GB of LPDDR5x memory and up to 1TB of NVMe storage, along with a 70Wh battery that promises exceptional battery life, potentially providing several tens of hours of video playback.
There's also the ASUS Zenbook A16 (UX3607OA) , which boasts a 16-inch 3K (2880×1800) OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and ASUS Lumina OLED technology. It features versions of the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme processor, up to 48GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 2TB NVMe SSD, along with a 70Wh battery designed to provide over 20 hours of continuous use.
In the more versatile range, ASUS offers the ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607NA) , which combines 16-inch OLED or IPS displays with a Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, 16-32 GB of RAM, and SSDs ranging from 512 GB to 1 TB, along with a 70 Wh battery capable of providing around 25 hours of light use. For those seeking something more creative and mobile, there's the ASUS ProArt PZ14 (HT7407NA) , a 14-inch OLED convertible tablet with a 2800x1800 resolution, 144 Hz refresh rate, a detachable keyboard, up to 32 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD.
Finally, ASUS stands out with the VM441QA 23,8-inch FHD all-in-one PC , which becomes the first AIO with a Snapdragon X2 Elite processor (8 to 18 cores and an NPU of up to 85 TOPS), with up to 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Being a desktop computer, it operates plugged in and does not have an integrated battery.
HP has also entered the fray with the HP EliteBook X G2q , a 14-inch professional laptop with options for a WUXGA OLED 1920×1200 (95% DCI-P3) display or an IPS panel with up to 400 nits of brightness. As for the processor, there are two options: the Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 with 18 cores or the X2E-80-100 with 12 cores, differing primarily in multi-core performance and cache size.
This HP can be configured with up to 64 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 2 TB SSD , and it integrates a 56 Wh battery that strikes a balance between mobility and battery life for corporate environments. It's a clear example of how manufacturers are positioning these ARM-based systems as serious alternatives to x86 laptops in professional settings.
Lenovo, for its part, offers the Yoga Slim 7x , a 14-inch laptop with a 2800x1800 OLED display that reaches up to 1100 nits of peak brightness. It can be equipped with a Snapdragon X2 Elite (18 cores) or X2 Plus (10/6 cores), along with up to 64 GB of dual-channel RAM and an SSD of up to 2 TB. The battery boasts up to 29 hours of battery life according to internal tests, reinforcing the company's focus on exceptional battery life.
Update path: 26H1 for ARM and 26H2 for the rest
One of Microsoft's most striking decisions is that devices running Windows 11 26H1 will not be able to upgrade to 26H2 when it is released in the second half of 2026. The reason is precisely this core change: the next annual feature update will continue to be based on the same platform as 24H2 and 25H2, which is that of x86-based systems, while 26H1 is on its own track.
This means that ARM devices with Snapdragon X2 processors that ship with Windows 11 26H1 will have to wait for a future version —as late as 2027—to receive the next major feature upgrade. In the meantime, they will continue to receive monthly security and quality updates, as well as new features manageable through the usual administration tools.
Meanwhile, PCs running Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 on Intel and AMD architectures will continue the traditional path to Windows 11 26H2 , which will be the next major general release for the vast majority of users. These systems will maintain their normal patch cadence, minor feature updates, and support cycles according to the lifecycle guidelines already published by Microsoft.
It's important to note that Windows 11 26H1 doesn't receive patch updates in the same way as other Windows 11 branches in terms of version jumps. It does receive monthly security and quality patches, but a "26H2" feature update is not planned for it; when it's time to upgrade, it will be to a different version of Windows on a specific path for ARM systems.
From the perspective of the average user, this means that if you have an x86 PC, your update experience remains unchanged : you'll continue to see monthly patches and, when the time comes, the major 26H2 update. However, if you buy one of these new ARM devices with 26H1 pre-installed, you'll notice that this branch remains stable for longer, with consistent patches but no major version upgrade until well into 2027.
Support, known issues, and administration tools
Regarding official support, Microsoft has specified that Windows 11 26H1 will receive the same maintenance channels as other modern versions in terms of monthly patches. This means it will receive regular security and quality updates throughout its lifecycle.
For IT administrators and organizations, managing these updates can be done using standard tools like Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, or Configuration Manager , just as with versions 24H2 and 25H2. The goal is that, even though the branch is different, managing it across large device fleets won't feel unfamiliar or require entirely new processes.
Currently, Microsoft indicates that there are no officially reported active known issues for Windows 11 26H1, although, as with any release, it is advisable to check the version's status on the "Windows release health" portals before deploying it massively in critical environments.
If a user encounters a problem related to the update or the system's operation, it is recommended to use the Feedback Hub application built into Windows to report the problem directly, or to use the Get Help app, Microsoft support, or the official technical support community for assistance.
In addition, organizations can access more detailed information through the Microsoft 365 admin center , which provides expanded information on the status of different versions, ongoing changes, and deployment recommendations. And to automate status and new release queries, there's a Windows What's New API within Microsoft Graph that facilitates integration with proprietary tools.
Finally, the documentation and official Windows 11 26H1 status page are available in 11 different languages , including Spanish (Spain). If your browser is not configured for one of these languages, the content may appear in English by default, but you can always change it manually by selecting your preferred language at the bottom of the page.
Overall, the entire Windows 11 26H1 approach demonstrates the extent to which Microsoft is clearly separating the paths of x86 PCs from those of the new ARM devices . If you have an Intel or AMD computer, you'll stick with the traditional path and receive 26H2 as a major future update; however, if you get one of the new arrivals with a Snapdragon X2 processor, you'll find a 26H1 version heavily focused on performance, battery life, and long-term support for that architecture, with a different core and its own roadmap that will remain stable until the next major generation of Windows on ARM arrives.
