We have recently received the Moment 3 update for Windows 11, but the much-anticipated version 23H2, which is the significant annual update, is just a couple of months away.
While this update is expected to introduce exciting new features, it will actually be a relatively small download for users already running Windows 11 version 22H2.
Microsoft has announced that version 23H2 will be delivered as an enablement package, meaning your PC will simply download a configuration file that activates all the new features included in Windows 11 version 23H2.
If you’re curious about how this is possible, it’s actually not a new concept.
Microsoft has been using enablement packages for some time, particularly with Windows 10 since version 20H2. The way it works is that Microsoft can deliver a comprehensive set of new features through regular cumulative updates, which are rolled out monthly alongside security patches and other fixes.
Many of the features planned for Windows 11 version 23H2 already exist in the same code base as Windows 11 version 22H2, but they are disabled until they are fully developed. Therefore, when a major update like Windows 11 version 23H2 is released, Microsoft simply sends a file that enables all these hidden features, such as Windows Copilot.
This approach offers two significant benefits. First, the update itself, as Microsoft highlights, will be very small in terms of download size and installation time.
Users no longer need to worry about waiting for over an hour to install a feature update, as was the case a few years ago. Second, both Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2 share the same code base, ensuring complete compatibility with applications and devices.
If you desire the latest updates but are concerned about potential compatibility issues, these enablement packages are great news since everything will continue to work as it did before.
This is likely the reason why Microsoft recently announced that customers waiting for an LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) version of Windows 11 can begin testing compatibility based on Windows 11 version 22H2. There will be no changes in this regard with the next update.
For Microsoft, this approach also enables the deployment of cumulative updates that apply to both versions 22H2 and 23H2 simultaneously, eliminating the need to develop separate updates for each version. This simplifies the process of keeping devices updated and secure.
Now, let’s delve into what Windows 11 version 23H2 has in store. There are several exciting additions to look forward to.
One of the highlights will be the integration of AI with Windows Copilot, which is expected to enhance user productivity greatly.
Additionally, features like Dynamic Lighting for RGB peripherals, a redesigned File Explorer, and more are expected to be included in this update.
Although these features may currently lie dormant (and some may not have been rolled out yet), they will be enabled when Windows 11 version 23H2 is officially released.
