Windows 11 25H2 Update Brings Powerful Speed Boosts and Control

Key Points

• Windows 11 25H2 Update now in Release Preview Channel
• Update installs with a single restart using the enablement package
• Removes PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC for cleaner system performance
• Enterprise users gain app removal control via Group Policy

Microsoft is rolling out its next big upgrade, but it’s not in the way you might expect. The Windows 11 25H2 Update is now live in the Release Preview Channel, and this time, it focuses on performance, simplicity, and control.

The August 2025 non-security preview update is now available for Windows 11, version 24H2.https://t.co/JTUIXelTWF
(🧵1/5) pic.twitter.com/CqiZM8UQ9C

— Windows Update (@WindowsUpdate) August 29, 2025

This new version doesn’t come with a loud announcement of flashy features. Instead, it uses a smarter delivery method that quietly activates improvements already installed through earlier updates.

If your PC is running version 24H2, most of what’s included in 25H2 is already on your system, just dormant until now.

The enablement package system means you won’t need to download gigabytes of data or wait through long installation times. With just one restart, you can move from 24H2 to the latest Windows 11 25H2 Update.

Let’s break down what’s new and what matters most for users and businesses alike.

Windows 11 25H2, the next Windows feature update, is nearing your PC. Here’s what’s happening and what’s included. https://t.co/uDmKwWL9l2

— Mark Hachman (@markhachman) August 29, 2025

Enablement package turns on features you already have

What makes the Windows 11 25H2 Update unique is its delivery. Microsoft is now leaning on what it calls a “shared servicing branch.” That means many of the new features were actually downloaded to your system months ago.

Rather than shipping them all at once, Microsoft waits until they’re tested and polished before flipping them on via a lightweight enablement package.

This method offers several key benefits:

• Faster Installations: The update installs in minutes with just a single restart, thanks to preloaded features.

• Improved Stability: Features are tested in smaller batches over time, reducing bugs and performance issues.

• Less Disruption: Users won’t see huge changes overnight. Instead, enhancements roll out gradually and quietly.

For home users, this means a smoother upgrade path. For businesses, it’s a reliable and efficient way to keep devices current without halting productivity.

The Windows 11 25H2 Update doesn’t include a dramatic UI refresh, but it may activate features related to AI enhancements, performance optimizations, and background system improvements that have been previously hinted at by Microsoft.

Releasing Windows 11, version 25H2 to the Release Preview Channel https://t.co/nsE72kIwCz

— Everything Microsoft (@EverythingMS) August 29, 2025

Microsoft removes legacy tools to streamline performance

As part of its effort to modernize the OS, Microsoft is also using the Windows 11 25H2 Update to clean house. Some old, outdated features are being removed for good.

Key removals in 25H2:

• PowerShell 2.0: This version of PowerShell has been obsolete for years. Its removal improves security and system stability.

• WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line): This old tool is no longer needed, as Microsoft prefers newer methods for managing devices and systems.

For most users, these changes won’t be noticeable. But for IT admins and power users, they signal a shift toward newer tools and better system hygiene.

The Windows 11 25H2 Update is also giving more control to enterprise and education customers. Admins can now remove select pre-installed Microsoft Store apps using Group Policy or MDM CSP.

This is especially useful in managing bulk deployments of Windows devices across large organizations or classrooms.

How to install the Windows 11 25H2 Update right now

If you’re eager to try it early, the Windows 11 25H2 Update is available now for anyone in the Release Preview Channel. This is typically the last phase before a public release, so the build is considered stable enough for most users.

Here’s how to get it:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.

2. Click on Windows Insider Program and join the Release Preview Channel.

3. Check for updates and install Build 26200.5074.

Remember, the update only takes one restart, thanks to Microsoft’s enablement approach.

If you prefer to wait, the full public release of the Windows 11 25H2 Update is expected later this year, likely in the next couple of months.

Why Windows 11 25H2 Update matters even if it feels small

At first glance, this update might seem minor, especially if you’re looking for big visual changes or headline-making features. But behind the scenes, it represents a major step in how Microsoft delivers improvements.

Instead of forcing large, disruptive upgrades, the Windows 11 25H2 Update supports a more stable, continuous development path. It quietly improves performance, simplifies management for businesses, and modernizes Windows by removing old components.

Most importantly, it respects users’ time. You won’t have to stop everything you’re doing to wait for your device to update.

With AI features expected to be quietly activated as part of this rollout, and more user control given to enterprise environments, this update sets the stage for bigger things down the line.