Microsoft has confirmed the start and end dates for a special edition of Windows 11 that will only be available on next-generation Arm-based silicon. Qualcomm and NVIDIA. Version 26H1, it is expected to debut in the first wave of next month Snapdragon X2 equipped computers have an improved platform designed to increase ARMv9 support in Windows.
Now there is company confirmed support lifecycle dates for this particular release. Support started on February 10, 2026 and will end on March 14, 2028 for Home and Pro users. 26H1 support for Enterprise and Education users will end a year later, on March 13, 2029.
|
Edition |
Startup support |
End of Support |
|---|---|---|
|
Home and Pro |
February 10, 2026 |
March 14, 2028 |
|
Enterprise and Education |
February 10, 2026 |
March 13, 2029 |
Windows 11 version 26H1 is expected to remain on feature parity with version 25H1, but key sources say it is a version of Windows 11 optimized specifically for Qualcomm and NVIDIA’s upcoming Arm-based silicon. The first Snapdragon X2 PCs are expected to ship by 26H1 next month and NVIDIA’s N1X based laptops are expected to start shipping later this year.
Microsoft has already confirmed that version 26H1 will not be offered as an update for existing Windows 11 PCs. The only way to officially get the 26H1 version will be to buy a new device with it pre-installed. Alternatively, if you want to run 26H1 on your existing Windows 11 PC, you can get the ISO files online and upgrade manually, although Microsoft says this is not a supported or recommended upgrade path.
The company plans to unify everyone on the same platform release next year with version 27H2. Those in 26H1 will not be updated 26H2 version This fall, but the 27H2 version is expected to be updated towards the end of 2027.
💬 Planning to buy a Snapdragon X2 device?
Planning to upgrade to a Snapdragon X2-powered machine this year with Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon PC SoCs? While there is no particular reason to do this outside of ARMv9 SoC support, this will be the only way to officially launch version 26H1. Let us know what you think in the comments!
