Windows 11 Version 26H1 to Reportedly Debut First on Snapdragon X2 PCs This Spring, ASUS' Latest ZenBooks in Line

Microsoft announced Windows 11 version 26H1 back in November last year, and now we know exactly how the new release will roll out, thanks to Zac Bowden from Windows Central. Unlike past versions of Windows 11, 26H1 is reportedly set to debut exclusively on PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 platform. 

To catch you up, reports from late October 2025 also hinted at the same. But, back then, we didn’t know which devices would host it. But now we know. In other words, this means that the version 26H1 will be the first Windows 11 version tied to a single architecture at launch.

According to Bowden, ASUS has confirmed that its upcoming ZenBook A14 and A16 models with Snapdragon X2 will ship with 26H1 pre-installed. Meanwhile, ZenBook S14 and S16 models running Intel or AMD chips will feature Windows 11 version 25H2. 

Microsoft previously said that the feature parity will remain between 25H2 and 26H1, with the newer version bringing under-the-hood improvements thanks to a platform refresh codenamed Bromine. As a user of Windows 11 26H1, you can expect improved performance and stability, even if the interface and day-to-day experience feel similar.

Bowden notes that Snapdragon X2 needed low-level system changes that didn’t line up with Microsoft’s usual H2 release schedule. As a result, Windows 11 version 26H1 is gearing up for spring release, built for Arm-based PCs. To catch you up, Microsoft has done this before. Windows 11 version 24H2 followed a similar path in 2024, launching first on Snapdragon X devices before rolling out more broadly later in the year.

Do note that Windows 11 26H1 is already available to test for Insiders, meaning you can run it on Intel, AMD, or Snapdragon PCs today. However, the changes are mostly under the hood, so don’t expect any visual differences. Moreover, it’s worth noting that Windows 11 version 26H2 is expected to be released in the fall for all other devices.