Windows 11 26H2 brings no new features, Media Player memory hog sparks backlash

Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 26H2 as its next annual release, sticking with the enablement package model that began with version 25H2. The update adds no new features. It simply activates dormant code already present in the OS for systems running 24H2 or later.

The enablement package is under 500KB. On compatible PCs, the upgrade requires a single reboot and just a few minutes of install time, with no visible desktop changes. Microsoft confirmed that support for 26H2 Home, Pro, and Pro for Workstations editions runs through October 2028. Enterprise and Education editions get support until October 2029.

No new hardware requirements, no new features

Any PC that supports Windows 11 24H2 will run 26H2. That means at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 64-bit dual-core processor are still required. A separate release, Windows 11 26H1, targets newer silicon such as Nvidia N1 and Snapdragon X2, but it also introduces no exclusive features for most users.

Microsoft is now delivering all new functionality through monthly cumulative updates rather than annual releases. Recent cumulative patches have added a Low Latency Profile and, in an upcoming Patch Tuesday, a movable taskbar. The company said the annual update now serves primarily to extend support timelines and reduce disruption for enterprise customers.

• Windows 11 24H2, released in October 2024, was the last traditional feature update. Versions 25H2 and 26H2 are both enablement packages.
• Enablement packages range from 200KB to 500KB and activate features already installed in the OS, cutting install time significantly.
• Microsoft has not said whether this model will continue for version 27H2. The company declined to comment on plans beyond 2026.

Media Player overhaul draws fire for RAM usage and paywalled codecs

Separately, the redesigned Windows 11 Media Player, which shipped with recent cumulative updates, is consuming 3.5 times more RAM than its predecessor, according to tests by ExtremeTech. On a midrange system with 16GB of RAM, the player was observed using 485MB during playback of a typical 1080p H.264 video, compared to 138MB for the older version.

The new player also charges for popular video codecs. Users who want HEVC (H.265) or VP9 support must buy a $0.99 codec pack from the Microsoft Store. The older player included these codecs at no extra cost. The change has triggered a backlash on forums and social media, with critics calling the move anti-consumer and a step backward for a bundled Windows app.

Microsoft hasn't responded to the criticism publicly. The company is expected to address the memory issue and codec pricing in an upcoming cumulative update, though no timeline has been given. For now, users who want to avoid the cost can install third-party players like VLC or MPC-HC, which include a broader range of codecs for free. The shift highlights a growing tension between Microsoft's push for modernized apps and its users' expectations for performance and value in core operating system components.