Windows 11, version 24H2

 Windows 11 24H2 : What’s new          

Microsoft announced the release of Windows 11, version 24H2, the next feature update for its operating system (also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update). Windows 11 24H2 started rolling out in May to enterprise customers enrolled in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program for Business. It has also been available on Copilot+ PCs since June when customers unexpectedly found it installed on their devices. Windows 11, version 24H2, also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update, is now available through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Windows Update for Business. It also marks the start of 36 months of support for Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11, version 24H2[2]. We recommend that you begin a targeted deployment in your organization now to validate that your apps, devices, and infrastructure work as expected with the new release. 

"Starting today, we begin to release the Windows 11 2024 Update, also referred to as Windows 11, version 24H2. This update is a full operating system (OS) swap that contains new foundational elements required to deliver transformational AI experiences and exceptional performance," said Microsoft VP of Windows Servicing and Delivery John Cable. The Windows 11 2024 Update continues the annual feature update cadence, with new feature updates released in the second half of the calendar year. This new version resets the 24 months of support for Home and Pro editions. Windows 11 eligible devices on Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2, require the May 2024 non-security preview update and a full operating system (OS) swap to update to Windows 11, version 24H2.

New features 

The Windows 11 2024 Update is a significant release with many new features, including additional AI-powered capabilities, HDR background support, an enhanced Energy Saver, improved Hearing Aid support with Bluetooth LE Audio, and Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. Windows 11, version 24H2 includes all the features and capabilities delivered as part of continuous innovation to Windows 11, now enabled by default. Following are the details of new features:-

App Control for Business (formerly Windows Defender Application Control) to better protect your digital property from malicious code

Personal Data Encryption (PDE) so that known Windows folders (Documents, Desktop, and Pictures) are protected using user authenticated encryption

Support for Wi-Fi 7

Windows protected print mode, eliminating the need to rely on third-party software installers for Morpia certified printers

Local Security Authority (LSA) protection to help protect against the theft of secrets and credentials used for logon

Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) policy improvements and new automatic account management feature

Rust in the Windows kernel

New controls to help manage which apps have access to the list of Wi-Fi networks around you

SHA-3 support

Bluetooth® LE audio support for assistive devices

With Windows 11, version 24H2, there are numerous Server Message Block (SMB) protocol changes. These include firewall rule changes, support for blocking NTLM, dialect management, alternative network port connections, SMB over QUIC (an alternative to TCP and RDMA), and changes to SMB signing and encryption. It also adds Sudo for Windows to run elevated commands, integrates Rust in the Windows kernel, improves voice clarity, and improves the taskbar and system tray, File Explorer and Settings.

Sudo for Windows 

The new AI-powered features will only be available on Copilot+ PCs, first available to Windows Insiders and then broadly available to Windows 11 users following a phased rollout to select devices starting in November. First, Microsoft announced an overhauled experience for its controversial AI-powered Windows Recall feature (rolling out to Arm devices this month and in November for Intel and AMD ones), including security and privacy upgrades and the option to remove or turn it off if desired. With the Windows 11 2024 Update, Redmond is introducing improved Windows search that understands natural language, as well as super-resolution to convert low-resolution photos to high-quality and generative fill/erase features to remove or add new elements to images in Paint. Microsoft also announced a feature called Click to Do, designed to "simplify your workflow by magically placing an interactive overlay on top of your PC screen, enabling suggested quick actions to appear over images or text." Click to Do analyzes the screen's contents from screenshots and works on the device with no information sent to Microsoft's servers, and just like Recall, it's an opt-in feature that can also be disabled. "Click to Do does not save anything. Some actions will take advantage of other Windows inbox actions and other apps (like Photos and Paint) and take you into the internet as selected (e.g.  Search with Bing), but you are always in control of what leaves the device," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

This scoped release also features enhancements designed to improve your overall experience with Windows 11, which includes:-

Energy saver, an easy way to extend battery life and reduce energy use that can be configured to run automatically or toggled on and off manually via Quick Settings

Text labels to the cut, copy, rename, share and delete actions available at the top of the File Explorer context menu

Support for creating 7-zip and TAR archives

A scrollable list (vs. single pane) of Quick Settings in the system tray that can be arranged in the way whch makes sense for how you work best

Expanded availability of Voice Clarity, which cancels echo, suppresses background noise, and reduces reverberation in real-time

Extended adaptive brightness control on laptops and 2-in-1s even when they are plugged in

It also added new capabilities to control audio presets, ambient sounds, and more for Bluetooth® LE Audio. We made it so that people can adjust audio presets for their hearing aids from Settings or Quick Settings.

How to get Windows 11 24H2

The roll-out will begin over the coming weeks with eligible devices running Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2, for customers who have previously opted in to be among the first to experience new enhancements. To be included, go to Settings > Windows Update and enable "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available." Microsoft also warned that if they detect a device is not eligible for the Windows 11 24H2 update, they will put it on a "safeguard hold" until the associated issue is resolved. These safeguard holds are usually enabled due to incompatible software or driver versions, so updating to the latest drivers and software can help resolve these types of holds. This release also introduces the next Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) version, Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, for specialized environments such as manufacturing and healthcare that require extended update stability. This Version is now also accessible via Windows Server Update Services (including Configuration Manager), Windows Update for Business, and the Microsoft 365 admin centre. Microsoft suggests that businesses start targeted rollouts to ensure compatibility with the new release for their apps, devices and infrastructure. Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 will be supported for five years, while Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, will receive ten years of support beginning today. For organizations with special-purpose devices and environments, such as manufacturing or healthcare systems, there are two versions of Windows 11 to the Long-Term Servicing Channel: Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024.