Windows 11 25H2 update rolls out: Quick deployment, new bugs, and fixes underway

Windows 11 25H2: The Swift Rollout and Emerging Glitches, with Fixes on the Horizon

Microsoft has commenced the deployment of its anticipated major feature update for Windows 11, designated as version 25H2. Interestingly, this release might pass many users by with barely a ripple. This is largely because 25H2 functions as an "activation pack," meaning many of its underlying components could have already been present on user systems prior to the official rollout. John Cable, Vice President at Microsoft, clarified that both Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 share a unified codebase and servicing branch. This elegant engineering means any new features introduced in 24H2 are automatically available in 25H2, and vice-versa. Functionality will continuously flow throughout the year via cumulative updates, embodying Microsoft's shift towards a "continuous innovation" model.

This transition allows for features like the revamped Start menu, enhanced phone integration, and other user-centric improvements to be delivered incrementally, rather than in a single, annual grand unveiling. While the concept of a less disruptive update might sound almost anticlimactic, 25H2 isn't merely a cosmetic overlay. Beneath the surface, it brings crucial internal enhancements focused on bolstering security and optimizing performance. Cable highlighted improvements in vulnerability detection mechanisms and the integration of AI-powered secure coding practices. Furthermore, Microsoft has taken a proactive step in hardening the OS by retiring legacy components like PowerShell 2.0 and the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMIC) command-line tool, thereby reducing potential attack vectors.

Accessing the Latest Windows 11 Update

The gradual rollout of Windows 11 25H2 is already in motion. For those eager to be among the first to experience it, a quick visit to Settings → Windows Update and enabling the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" option should suffice. Alternatively, Microsoft has made official ISO images for Windows 11 25H2 available, providing a pathway for clean installations or manual upgrades, offering flexibility for users who prefer a more hands-on approach.

The Inevitable Hiccups: Known Issues in 25H2

As is almost customary with significant software releases, Windows 11 25H2 has encountered its share of initial challenges. As of September 30th, Microsoft has publicly acknowledged at least four known issues plaguing the update:

• Digital Rights Management (DRM) Content Playback: An anomaly within the older Enhanced Video Renderer is causing playback failures for protected video content, including DVDs, Blu-rays, and certain legacy TV applications. A fix is anticipated in October 2025, which, while a long wait, indicates Microsoft's commitment to resolving the issue.
• Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA) Failures: A specific problem prevents the installation of .msu update packages following cumulative updates for version 24H2. This particular glitch seems to predominantly affect enterprise environments, underscoring the need for robust testing in varied network configurations.
• SMBv1 Protocol Malfunction: The outdated SMBv1 file-sharing protocol has ceased functioning correctly when accessed via NetBIOS. Microsoft's recommended workaround involves switching to TCP or migrating to the more secure SMBv2/SMBv3 protocols, a necessary step in modernizing network infrastructure.
• ARM64 Installation Media Creation: The Media Creation Tool is currently encountering difficulties in generating installation media for ARM64 devices. Users will need to rely on x64 images until a solution is implemented, a temporary inconvenience for those on specific hardware architectures.

Undeterred, Microsoft is diligently working to iron out these kinks. Early beneficiaries of the Windows Insider Program have already received build 26220.6760 (KB5065793), which addresses several of these pain points. This includes resolutions for crashes within the Settings app, glitches affecting the taskbar and system tray, difficulties with HDCP-protected video playback, and certain SMBv1 errors. This swift response from the Insider Program offers a promising glimpse into the timely resolution of the broader issues affecting the general release.