After a month of testing with select users, Windows 11 25H2 is now available in its final version. Here’s how to install this new version of Microsoft’s operating system, along with the available features.
However, it’s important to note that Microsoft has stated this major update does not include any significant new features. Instead, it focuses on activating existing improvements from Windows 11 24H2. The goal of the Redmond company is clear: to enhance user experience, although the launch has begun with several bugs highlighted by the community.
What are the new features in Windows 11 25H2?
Copilot has received major enhancements. Keyboard shortcuts are now customizable, and there is a voice interaction button to simplify commands. Click to Do allows interaction with text and images directly on the screen via AI. Users can connect their Microsoft 365 Copilot account to boost productivity. If you have a dedicated keyboard, the Copilot key can now be personalized.
PCs certified for Copilot+ come with new features in Windows 11 25H2, which had already been available through an ISO file a few weeks ago. Recall allows users to retrieve their past activities via screenshots, although this feature has sparked privacy concerns. Additionally, Windows search has been improved with AI, eliminating the need to remember exact file names. The experience is made easier, with photos and cloud files now appearing in local search results to unify the experience.
The Windows Narrator adds new shortcuts for directly accessing the beginning or end of items, skipping links, and navigating lists. Users can copy vocal content, generate image descriptions, and mask the screen during reading for privacy. It also features direct transcription and vocal summarization.
The user interface of Windows 11 25H2 has seen improvements: the taskbar allows for more convenient resizing of icons, optimized previews, and new options for the clock, including a seconds display, while widgets are now compatible with multiple dashboards.
The lock screen and Discover flow customization has been redesigned with news organized by Copilot. The split screen feature enhances multitasking with new keyboard shortcuts. The file explorer integrates custom views for Microsoft 365, contextual menu separators, and options for sharing to Android devices. As for the settings homepage in Windows 11 25H2, Microsoft emphasizes modernity with system information cards and an FAQ.
Windows Share enables users to edit images before sharing, preview web content, and select compression levels. Drag-and-drop functionality for files into suggested applications has also been added, along with the ability to customize the context menu. Lastly, Windows Hello has a clearer interface for access key authentication in Recall and the Microsoft Store. This update enhances the biometric security of Microsoft’s operating system, which is set to phase out Windows 10, potentially causing an environmental disaster.
How to install Windows 11 25H2
Windows 11 25H2 is now officially deployed. You can install the update, but keep in mind that if it’s not available yet, you may need to wait a little longer. The rollout is being conducted in waves, so not all users will have access simultaneously. Here’s how to install Windows 11 25H2 on your PC:
- Open Settings.
- Select “Windows Update.”
- Enable “Receive the latest updates as soon as they are available.”
- Click on “Check for updates.”
- When “Windows 11, version 25H2” appears, click on “Download and install.”
- Accept the terms if prompted.
- Allow the download and installation to complete.
- Click on “Restart now” when prompted.
- After the restart, open Settings > System > About and check for “Version 25H2.”
