Microsoft announces release of Windows 11 24H2 feature update

The 24H2 feature update for Windows 11 has been available as an insider version for some time now, and it provides the necessary support for Copilot+ PCs, for example. However, it is not yet clear when the update will be available for everyone. Microsoft has now hidden the upcoming release date.

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On Monday, Microsoft announced a second AI wave. In this context, a blog post was also published announcing enhanced data protection with Windows and Microsoft Copilot. Under the heading “When will this happen,” the developers explain that the entry point for Microsoft’s Copilot will move to the Microsoft 365 app along with the new feature update for Windows. “The distribution of these changes to managed PCs will begin with the optional, non-security update previews on September 24, 2024, and then with the monthly security updates on October 8, 2024 for supported Windows 11 versions,” Microsoft writes, “these changes will be applied to Windows 10 PCs the month after.” This update replaces the current Copilot-in-Windows experience.

Hidden: Windows 11 24H2 coming in October

The current Copilot solution will also be replaced by an updated Microsoft 365 app on managed PCs. Because the app is “aligned” with the feature update for Windows 11, version 24H2 of Windows 11 will be released for everyone with the October patch day and, if applicable, the update preview in September. This also fits with the usual release dates for previous Windows feature updates. However, Microsoft has not confirmed or mentioned the date anywhere up to now.

At the end of May this year, Microsoft published the preview for the 24H2 update in the Windows Insider channels. Among other things, the Copilot for the EU area became an app. Other new features include support for HDR backgrounds, improved energy saving, sudo for Windows, the introduction of Rust into the Windows kernel, support for the new Wi-Fi 7 standard and better speech intelligibility. Initially, the creation of 7-zip and tar in addition to the previously possible zip archives directly in the file explorer was announced for the 24H2 release – but this has now already been incorporated into Windows 11 23H2.

In April, c’t had a peek at the first preview versions. The changes at this time included new archive formats for compression and the sudo command for Windows, but old functions were also removed. Since the Mail, Contacts and Calendar apps are no longer included, the new Outlook is to be replaced. But Maps, Cortana and Movies & TV are also no longer on board.

(dmk)