Microsoft to offer Windows 11 24H2 update to OEMs to test it on new & existing PCs soon
Developers express concerns with the way Windows Insider Program test builds
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With all the Windows enthusiasts waiting for the Windows 11 24H2 update to be released to the public, Microsoft is about the offer the update to PC makers (OEMs), which will allow them to test the new version on their upcoming and current devices.
According to Zac Bowden, senior editor at Windows Central, posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the RTM (Release to Manufacturers) would happen sometime in April.
If you are a Windows Insider, you must know that the impending release is in the final stages, as Microsoft has fixed all the bugs and errors.
Windows 11 24H2, code name Germanium, has been in the talks since the first news broke about the version, as it is supposedly bringing many changes and enhancements to Windows 11.
The Windows 11 24H2 features are expected to be rolled out in two phases; the first base update will come with the Snapdragon X Elite PCs in June 2024.
Next, the update will come to the existing PCs in September or October 2024. Around the same time, we can expect another feature update, probably a Moment update, to enable the new AI features on all supported devices, including the new Snapdragon X Elite.
Changes and improvements expected
- AI-powered Voice clarity for all machines—The feature uses low-complexity AI models to minimize background noise, thereby helping you sound better on video calls.
- New Color Management options in the Settings app.
- Sudo for Windows.
- Microsoft Teams client, which is based on Microsoft Edge WebView and React.
- Energy saver options in the Settings app.
- Labels for context menu in Windows File Explorer.
- Option to create archives.
You could also get an AI explorer, which will help you search your computer for activities to track everything you do on your PC much easier.
With RTM weeks away from release, many independent developers have concerns about the slow speed at which stable preview builds of Windows 11 24H2 are released.
To that, Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Program Manager on the Windows Insider Program Team at Microsoft, responded:
I wouldn’t be too concerned nor should you get too hooked into what is “RTM’ing” and when.
In response to this statement, Albacore, an independent developer, posted:
This kind of mentality is exactly how we end up with several hundreds of MBs big ZDPs and genuinely awful and long first run experiences on brand new low and mid range PCs. Please don’t enable it.
Brandon LeBlanc responded:
I am not personally trying to enable anything but at the same time, being concerned on a rumored RTM date isn’t really something y’all should be worried about. We’ve got a lot of smart engineers working on builds over here and fixing bugs is all I am saying.
To which Albacore said:
“We’ll fix it in post” is annoying for pretty much anyone using something weaker than an i5 nowadays and there’s very little thought given to this category of consumers. OS upgrades fare even worse, making the client do LCU integration instead of shipping an updated base image.
These tweets ahead of the RTM release are concerning, and they make us wonder if people with lower configuration or even medium configuration devices would be better off with this update until its credibility is well-established.
We understand that Microsoft will work on the bugs and issues that will occur after the public release, as it always has. However, it makes us wonder if the problems could be fixed in the preview builds if they take considerable time before releasing to the public, keeping us, the loyal Windows users, safe ahead of time.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your opinions with our readers in the comments section below.
