How to get new experiences for Windows 11

Today, Pavan Davuluri announced the latest Copilot+ PC innovation and the availability of the Windows 11 2024 Update. We are excited to continue to bring the power of AI and new experiences to Windows 11 and enhance what you can achieve using Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11. In this blog, I’ll share more information on the coming availability of new features and apps for Copilot+ PCs, details on how to get the Windows 11 2024 Update and details for commercial and education customers.

Coming availability of the newest AI experiences for Copilot+ PCs

We continue to introduce new AI features that light up more natural and conversational engagement with your devices, with experiences you can only get with Copilot+ PCs. Windows Insiders with Copilot+ PCs will be the first to experience these new features, leveraging the valuable expertise of this community before they become broadly available to customers, with a phased rollout to select devices and markets beginning in November. We plan to regularly share more information on the status of each new feature and app closer to the availability date, including by region and device silicon technology. When these new features and apps become more widely available they will be released to Copilot+ PCs via:

Windows Update:

  • Recall (Preview)1
  • Click to Do (Preview)
  • Improved Windows Search

App updates from the Microsoft Store:

  • Super resolution in Photos
  • Generative fill and erase in Paint

The Windows 11 2024 Update

Starting today, we begin to release the Windows 11 2024 Update, also referred to as Windows 11, version 24H2. This update is a full operating system (OS) swap that contains new foundational elements required to deliver transformational AI experiences and exceptional performance. You can learn more about all the new features including enhanced battery saver; Bluetooth LE audio; HDR background support and support for Wi-Fi 7 in What’s new inside this update.

We are taking a phased approach with the 2024 Update rollout, based on when data shows your device is ready and you will have a great experience. We will begin with eligible devices running Windows 11, version 22H2 and 23H22 for those who have previously opted in to be amongst the first to experience new enhancements. (How can you be among the first to experience new features? Navigate to Settings > Windows Update, and turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.”) For more information on ways to get the update, watch this video.

If we detect that your device may have an issue, such as an application incompatibility, we may put a safeguard hold in place and not offer the update until that issue is resolved. Over time, we will make the 2024 Update available to more and more devices based on hardware eligibility, reliability metrics and other factors that impact the update experience. We will let you know via the Windows Update Settings page3 when it’s available for your device. We will regularly share more information on the status of the rollout via Windows release health hub.

The Windows 11 2024 Update continues the annual feature update cadence, with new feature updates released in the second half of the calendar year. This new version resets the 24 months of support for Home and Pro editions.

Information for commercial and education customers

Version 24H2 is now available through Windows Server Update Services (including Configuration Manager), Windows Update for Business and the Microsoft 365 admin center2,4. We recommend that commercial organizations begin targeted deployments to validate that their apps, devices and infrastructure work as expected with the new release. You can find more information on IT tools to support Windows 11, version 24H2 in the Windows IT Pro Blog. Enterprise and Education editions will receive 36 months of support beginning today.

This release also marks the availability of the next Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release, Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024. The LTSC provides customers with access to an option for special-purpose devices and environments, such as manufacturing, healthcare systems or other environments that require longer term device update stability5. Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 is supported for five years. (Note: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is also available today and has a 10-year support lifecycle6.)

Experience the latest innovations in Windows 11

As I often note, installing the latest updates is the best way to keep your Windows device protected and productive with the latest features and innovations. We are committed to delivering continuous innovation to Windows 11 so that you can benefit from the best experiences as new features are ready. If you have not yet moved to Windows 11, now is a great time to do so, and Windows Backup is available to help you back up files, themes, some settings to many of your installed apps and Wi-Fi information. As is our normal practice, we will closely monitor the rollout of these new Windows 11 features, and continue to share timely information on the status of the rollout and known issues (open and resolved) via the Windows release health dashboard and @WindowsUpdate. Please continue to tell us about your experience by providing comments or suggestions via Feedback Hub. 

1 Starting in October, Windows Insiders will begin to see Recall on Snapdragon powered Copilot+ PCs. Customers who purchase an Intel- or AMD- powered Copilot+ PC will see Recall initially in our Windows Insider program starting in November. Timing details on the broad availability of Recall will be shared at a later date. Security continues to be our top priority and when Recall is available for Windows Insiders we will publish a blog with more details

2 Windows 11 eligible devices on Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2, require the May 2024 non-security preview update and a full operating system (OS) swap to update to Windows 11, version 24H2.

3 We will notify you when the Windows 11 2024 Update is ready for your device. Look out for the Windows Update tray icon, check the Power Menu, or visit the Windows Update Settings page. We may also send you a notification to ensure you don’t miss out on the latest enhancements.

4 Downloads in the Microsoft 365 admin center and similar channels may be delayed.

5 Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 is available in the per user or per device model depending on the Volume Licensing program through which it is acquired.

6 Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is available through OEMs and directly from Microsoft through Volume Licensing.