I can't say that this is unprecedented, but I also can't recall how many times such a thing has happened: Microsoft today released new Windows 11 builds to all four of the Windows Insider Preview channels. And the build that's available now in Release Preview marks the first time Windows 11 version 25H2 has shown up there.
So let's start with that.
In a clear sign that Windows 11 version 25H2 will follow the traditional Windows 11 version release schedule, you can now download a near final version of this system via the Release Preview channel. This isn't a traditional cumulative update (a "KB"), though. Instead, it's delivered as an enablement package, or eKB, because 25H2 shares its servicing branch with 24H2.
And that means that all you need to do is enroll a PC in the Release Preview channel, check for updates in Windows Update, and then click "Download & install" next to "Windows 11 version 25H2 is available." Once the PC is updated to 25H2, you will continue getting cumulative updates normally each month. And because 25H2 and 24H2 are functionally identical, this experience won't be much different from what you see on 24H2.
(Microsoft noted that 25H2 will not ship with Windows PowerShell 2.0 Windows Management Instrumentation command-line (WMIC), two deprecated features that are on the way out.)
Microsoft says it will make Windows 11 version 25H2 ISOs available for download next week.
Those with PCs in the Dev or Beta channels are getting the same functional updates, as usual, but via different cumulative updates. The Dev channel is getting KB5064093, which will update Windows 11 version 25H2 to build 26220.5770. And the Beta channel is getting KB5064089, which will update Windows 11 version 24H2 to build 26120.5770. (I like that the build numbers line up now, that wasn't always the case.)
New features in each include:
New Microsoft 365 text action in Click to Do. Click to Do now recognizes tables no matter which app they're in and you can use the new "Convert to table with Excel" text action to copy any table to Excel immediately. Microsoft notes that this feature is still in early preview and that table detection quality will improve over time in future builds. Also, this feature is available only on Snapdragon X-based Copilot+ PCs right now. It will come to AMD- and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs soon.
Live Persona Cards from Microsoft 365 in Click to Do. This new text action recognizes email addresses, scans your contacts list for them, and then displays a Live Persona Card from Microsoft 365 when you select this option in Click to Do. This feature requires that you be signed in to Windows 11 with a Work or school account (Entra ID) and have a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Braille viewer in Narrator. This new Narrator feature lets you see on-screen textual and Braille representations of on-screen text. "This is a helpful tool for sighted teachers, AT trainers, developers, and testers who do not read Braille or who have limited to no access to a Braille display," Microsoft notes. "Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) can use Braille viewer to help improve student's Braille skills or follow along in classroom as the teachers can visually see the textual and Braille representation on the screen while the student reads it on their connected Braille display."
Windows Share improvements. Because Microsoft can't seem to stop screwing with Share, these updates add yet another new feature: You can now access a new "Find apps" option under "Share using" that lists compatible apps on your PC and in the Microsoft Store.
Various fixes. These builds also include various fixes to the Taskbar and system tray, Explorer, HDR, audio, and more.
Known issues. Every Insider build has some issues, but I was curious to see that an issue I had recently is among them and might be to blame: Audio stops working and Device Manager shows one or more devices with a yellow exclamation mark. The original blog posts have instructions for working around this problem, though it finally cleared up in my case on its own.
No can explain what the Canary channel is even for these days, but Microsoft today released Windows 11 build 27934 to this channel. And there is absolutely nothing going on here other than some bug fixes.
"This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs," Microsoft notes, helpfully. There are plenty of known issues too, so have fun with that.
Woof. Lots of stuff there. And right before a holiday long weekend, too.