Microsoft announces first test build for Windows 11 26H1, aimed at 'specific silicon' — Rumor mill suggests first "H1" release in Windows 11's history might be reserved for upcoming Arm PCs

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11 25H2, the operating system's latest major feature update, rolled out just last month. Just a few weeks ago, rumors of a "26H1" release started circulating, and now we have confirmation of its existence: Microsoft has just released the first build of Windows 11 26H1 — Preview Build 28000 — in the Canary channel of the Insider Preview program.

26H1 is in testing phases right now, and it will officially release early next year. This update is intended for a specific subset of users, with various reports suggesting that it is ARM. There are unsubstantiated rumors floating around, pointing to the upcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite and Nvidia N1X systems as candidates — since Qualcomm has scheduled the launch of its upcoming chips for early 2026, lining up with the 26H1 release.

Despite the implication, Microsoft doesn't explicitly mention any names in its announcement, so this is all speculation. "26H1 is not a feature update for version 25H2 and only includes platform changes to support specific silicon. There is no action required from customers," says the Redmont giant. That "specific silicon" phrasing is what has led many to believe it's referring to Snapdragon and Nvidia's upcoming chips.

Microsoft designing new Arm chip — (Image credit: Qualcomm / Microsoft)

So far, Windows 11 has maintained an yearly release cadence; Microsoft pushes a single feature update in the second half of each year, adding new functionality and improvements to the OS. Therefore, the releases are named "22H2," "23H2," "24H2," and so on. As such, 26H1 marks the first time the company has scheduled a major update for the start of the year, even if it's just to add support for specific ARM silicon.

"25H2 remains the primary place for new features. Windows 11 continues to have an annual feature update cadence, with releases in the second half of the calendar year."

Despite Microsoft confirming that 26H1 brings no new features, it's built on the new Bromine core — upgrading from the Germanium platform that powered Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 — suggesting that once 26H1 is rolled into the eventual 26H2, it will be a substantial upgrade. Windows Insider also says that this Preview Build 28000 is the base RTM build for Windows 11 26H1, meaning Microsoft will lock this down and send it to OEMs (perhaps, Qualcomm and Nvidia) so they can start loading it onto their systems.

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Hassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.

2 Comments Comment from the forums

rluker5

I may be biased, but all I could think of when reading this is:
Windows on a phone please!

Windows on ARM in setups that aren't particularly power constrained isn't going to be a noticeable change if everything goes perfect for it, so what is the point?

Windows on an ARM phone, or low powered x86-64 phone for that matter, would change a bunch. There has been enough processing power in phone form factor since the (by todays standards) pathetic 2w 22nm Atom tablet wave 10 years ago. And that was with x86. High end ARM was faster in that form factor even then and the compatibility issues are being dealt with.

The basic phone apps for Windows Mobile worked great. Also any time I have the chance to do something paperwork related on pc instead of mobile I go to the pc version. I want to be able to dock my phone and have it be a weak pc synced to my pcs, and I want the option to try to do the same things, albeit struggling with a tiny screen, when I'm not near a dock or pc. And I would definitely want a stylus with a Windows desktop phone. And I want that stylus to have right click functionality somehow. Also it would be nice if it could work with project to this display. And at least a USB4, if not thunderbolt port on it, for the dock, or a quick manual hook up if needed. Doesn't have to have the latest and greatest processor either, just something in the upper midrange at least.
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Zaranthos

rluker5 said:
I may be biased, but all I could think of when reading this is:
Windows on a phone please!

I loved my Windows phone. I would switch to Windows phone again in a heartbeat. I really don't give half a crap about the Google ecosystem or the Mac/iPhone either. I don't like that Microsoft moved in the Google ecosystem direction with all the user tracking, spying, and telemetry though. But now that we're all monetized pod creatures in one form or another... But you never know, I could rebel, install Linux, GrapheneOS, and maybe even Haiku OS.
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