The upcoming Windows 11 23H2 update will be rolled out as a small activation package. With this, Microsoft promises a smooth installation process if your device has already been updated to Windows 22H2.

Microsoft is announcing the first details about Windows 11 23H2, which will be released in the fourth quarter. Microsoft is not yet talking about new features, but the blog provides technical information about the update. Like previous Windows 11 updates, Windows 11 23H2 will be rolled out via a “small activation package”.

Smaller but nicer

Microsoft has been using this technique since the early days of Windows 11. All Windows 11 versions have the same source code. An update only requires replacing binary files, while previous updates required cutting and pasting all code.

This allows Microsoft to release several smaller updates throughout the year that are easier to install. Installing a feature update like Windows 11 23H2 is now almost as quick as installing a monthly security update. Microsoft has published a paper explaining the update process in more detail.

intermediate step

Windows 11 23H2 will therefore also be a “small” update. To ensure that the installation runs smoothly, Microsoft recommends the intermediate step to Windows 11 22H2 if your device is still running an older version. Windows 11 21H2 lifespan is expected to end before 23H2 release, so your device risks going unsupported for a while.

It is not yet known what new features the update to Windows 11 will bring. But here, too, the upcoming update should be rather limited. As of this year, Microsoft has switched to multiple “update moments” instead of one big feature update, as was the case with Windows 11 22H2.

What about Windows 10?

Haven’t made the switch to Windows 11 yet? Then consider that Microsoft no longer plans to roll out another 23H2 update for Windows 10. The software giant wants to make it clear that Windows 10 is gradually coming to an end. The operating system will receive regular security updates until October 2025.