It seems Microsoft just started work on Windows 11 27H2 — and this could be the update that saves the OS... or dooms it

• Microsoft just split the Canary testing channel into two paths
• One of these will see underlying platform changes ushered in
• This is likely to become the 27H2 update next year, which will unify Arm PCs and AMD/Intel devices – and it's a release Microsoft must get right

Microsoft has just split the earliest preview builds of Windows 11 into two different paths, one of which will seemingly lead to the big update for next year.

Windows Central noticed the announcement from Microsoft and observed that one of the two paths that the Canary channel has been forked into will likely turn into the 27H2 update next year.

Microsoft says that splitting the channel like this is being done for the following reason: "This will help us validate platform changes at different stages while continuing to deliver new features and experiences to Insiders [testers] in the Canary channel."

In other words, current Canary releases will continue to be builds in the 28000 series, with the new channel having build numbers in the 29500 series (starting with 29531 right now).

The mentioned "platform changes" means switching to a new underlying platform for Windows 11 from the current 'Germanium' base (ushered in with the 24H2 update).

Of course, Arm PCs are already going to get a new platform which is codenamed 'Bromine' and will arrive imminently with Windows 11 version 26H1. This is because the Snapdragon X2 silicon which is debuting shortly requires some tinkering under the hood. Other non-Arm PCs won't get this at all – and don't need it, or the risk it might cause issues with these devices – so they will have a separate 26H2 update (which will still be on Germanium).

So, effectively Arm PCs and AMD/Intel (x86) PCs will be on two different versions of Windows 11 for their underlying platform this year – but they will still have the same features on top.

However, next year, both these platforms will be merged in the 27H2 update, which is what's likely now just started in testing. Windows Central guesses that this may be codenamed 'Strontium'.

Analysis: Strontium canaries

In short, what's going to happen is that Canary testers opting for the new (later) build series will be testing the groundwork for Windows 11 27H2. That means they won't get new features, as these will be delivered to the other (earlier) Canary builds.

It's difficult enough for Microsoft to rework the foundations of the OS, without throwing new features on top of that activity to cause more potential bugs and confusion. So, the smartest move is to separate these builds as we see here (and has been done before).

Indeed, it's not just that they won't get new capabilities, but the 29500 series testers will see some features being cut initially, as Microsoft explains: "Please note, because of the focus on platform development for this path, you may notice a temporary loss in some features that you have today. These features will return to this new active development build."

In the bigger picture, if this is version 27H2 – which seems very likely – this is the incarnation of Windows 11 that Microsoft is aiming to make less buggy, and generally more performant, as the software giant recently vowed. This is going to involve quite a lot of work under the hood, and I'd imagine this rejigging of the very guts of Windows 11 is what's starting right now. We're also seeing evidence of more tweaking above ground, as it were, in smoothing over existing features in terms of bug squashing and making everything more responsive.

All of this suggests that Microsoft's campaign to 'fix Windows 11' and the fundamentals of the OS is truly underway, and it's great to see action being taken – but we need to see the results before we get too enthusiastic here.

Away from the actual coding and the task of honing Windows 11, we also need to see Microsoft improve its QA processes to better catch bugs early on, so fewer of these glitches end up being inflicted on the computing public. Far too many bugs are hitting release candidates of Windows 11, and it's been this way for some time now – ever since 24H2.

The best laptops for all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best laptops
1. Best overall:
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
2. Best budget:
Asus Chromebook CM14
3. Best Windows 11 laptop
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch
4. Best gaming:
Razer Blade 16
5. Best for pros
MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro)

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