Microsoft has made Home windows 11 model 24H2 accessible – however proper now, it’s for Copilot+ PCs solely, at the very least formally.
Which means to start with, the 24H2 replace is simply being launched for these particular units, which implies to start with, Home windows on Arm laptops with the brand new Snapdragon X (Arm-based) chips – and no different PCs.
As Home windows Newest noticed, Microsoft states in its launch notes: “Home windows 11, model 24H2 is simply accessible for Copilot+ PCs units.”
Nonetheless, there’s a twist in that what Microsoft means right here is that 24H2 is simply accessible in its completed model for Copilot+ PCs. These units go on sale tomorrow (June 18), and if you fireplace up your Copilot+ laptop computer, it’ll be operating 24H2 and can instantly apply KB5039239 (it’s the cumulative replace for June).
Those that don’t have a Copilot+ PC can really obtain and run KB5039239, however solely as a Home windows Insider. In different phrases, 24H2 is simply accessible as a take a look at construct (26100.863) which is within the Launch Preview channel.
As Home windows Newest factors out, although, should you do run this preview on a normal (non-Copilot+) system you could expertise a tough experience by way of bugs, extra so than a standard take a look at construct (actually one in Launch Preview which is, because the title suggests, the ultimate step earlier than launch).
Evaluation: Lacking out? Probably not
For those who’re afraid that you just’re lacking out by not getting Home windows 11 24H2, we wouldn’t fear about that. As we already famous, sure, that is just for Arm-based Copilot+ PCs, and when you can technically put the preview spin on a PC operating an AMD or Intel CPU, there isn’t a lot in the best way of latest options anyway. (And the one large characteristic for Copilot+ PCs, Recall, was pulled as you could keep in mind, and put into testing for the foreseeable).
Certainly, for now, all of the preliminary 24H2 launch does is apply some bug fixes – together with one to make sure video games with BattlEye anti-cheat work with Home windows on Arm – and safety tweaks.
There’s one sizable change with Copilot, although, which is able to change into an ‘app expertise’ so the desktop assistant could be handled like every app inside Home windows 11. In different phrases, you’ll be able to transfer the Copilot window, snap or resize it and so forth – quite than having it locked to a aspect panel – however even that’s one thing you’ll be able to seemingly await.
When the total launch of the 24H2 replace comes, seemingly in September if rumors are proper – although it might slide till later in 2024 – there can be much more options on-board (although a few of them can be for Copilot+ PCs solely, like Recall).
So for now, you’re probably not lacking out on something, and certainly this preview construct returning to testing is an effective signal for everybody by way of the discharge timeframe of the total Home windows 11 24H2 replace. For those who recall, the rollout and testing of the preview was paused attributable to varied nasty bugs, and we had been fearful there may even be a delay to 24H2 – however with the construct having its rollout resumed within the Launch Preview channel, that’s signal that issues stay on monitor relating to the launch schedule.
