Microsoft launches Arm-only branch of Windows 11 for new Snapdragon X2 PCs

Microsoft is carving out an unusual new lane for Windows-on-Arm: Windows 11, version 26H1 will ship only on new Arm PCs, starting with systems built around Qualcomm’s newly announced Snapdragon X2 Elite chips, reports Ars Technica. The announced 26H1 is being treated as a separate, hardware-scoped Windows release rather than a broad upgrade for existing devices.

Microsoft says PCs on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 will not be offered an in-place upgrade to 26H1, though Windows Insiders in the Canary channel can install it on other PCs if they choose. Devices that ship with 26H1 also will not be able to jump straight to the next major release (expected to be 26H2), and Microsoft has not said when the ecosystem will reconverge. Ars speculates it should happen before the March 2028 Home and Pro support cutoff.