Microsoft began rolling out Windows 11 25H2 today, bringing a collection of artificial intelligence tools and quality-of-life improvements to the operating system. The update arrives as an enablement package, which means it installs quickly, usually in just a few minutes.
How to Get It
If you’re running Windows 11 24H2 or have compatible hardware, open Settings and head to Windows Update. Toggle on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available,” then check for updates. You should see an option to download and install the 25H2 update.
The installation is fast because Microsoft isn’t rebuilding your system from scratch. Instead, it activates features that are already built into recent versions.
Also Check: How to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11
What’s Actually New
The most noticeable changes centre on AI integration. File Explorer now offers smart options when you right-click on images, such as visual search through Bing, background removal in Paint, and object erasing in Photos. These tools appear contextually, so they’re available when you need them without cluttering the interface.
Search gets smarter too, especially on Copilot Plus PCs. You can now find settings by describing what they do rather than remembering their exact names. The search box has also moved to the top centre of the screen, which feels more natural if you’re used to web browsers.
Small Changes That Matter
Hardware indicators, the small pop-ups that display brightness or volume levels, can now be moved around. Find this in Settings under System > Notifications, where you can choose bottom left, top left, or bottom centre positioning. They’ve also gained smooth animations that make the interface feel more polished.
The sharing menu got a practical upgrade. When you share a file, you can now pin your most-used apps to the top of the list. It’s a simple change that saves time if you frequently share to the same places.
Microsoft has added an Advanced Settings page under System that consolidates options previously scattered across different menus. File extensions, hidden files, virtual desktops, and developer tools all live here now. It’s a handy hub for people who regularly tweak system behaviour.
Gaming Improvements
Xbox controller behaviour is more intuitive in this update. A quick press of the Xbox button opens the Game Bar, while holding it down switches to Task View. Small refinements like this add up for people who game on Windows on a regular basis.
Also Check: How to make a USB drive bootable for Windows 11
The Control Panel Continues Its Slow Exit
Microsoft is still migrating settings from the old Control Panel to the modern Settings app. This update replaces the time, date, and regional options. The transition has been gradual—sometimes frustratingly so—but the Settings app is genuinely more consistent than the Control Panel ever was.
What This Update Really Means
Version 25H2 marks the end of support for 23H2 and sets the stage for future features. Right now, it’s nearly identical to 24H2, but Microsoft plans to add new capabilities through monthly updates going forward. Think of this as setting a foundation rather than delivering a finished product.
The enablement package approach means Microsoft can roll out changes faster and with less disruption. You’ll receive a version bump today, and new features will trickle in over the coming months, rather than arriving all at once.
Voice access and narrator functionality have received improvements, although Microsoft hasn’t detailed exactly what changes were made. Error messages have been redesigned, and various background systems have received stability fixes.
Should You Update?
If your system is compatible, there’s no compelling reason to wait. The update installs quickly, brings useful improvements without major disruptions, and ensures you’ll get future features as Microsoft releases them. The AI tools might not revolutionise your workflow, but the interface refinements and system tweaks make daily use slightly smoother. For more information about this update, please refer to the official blog post.
For anyone still on 23H2, now’s the time to move forward, as that version is reaching the end of support.
Also Check: Windows 11 25H2 WSUS Release date and features
