Windows 11 26H2 looks like it could be hours away, with the public rollout possibly beginning today. If there’s a delay, October 6 is another possible date, as Windows feature updates usually release on Tuesdays. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed either date, but ESDs for Windows 11 26H2 have now appeared, and they point to an imminent release.
Windows 11 26H2 is this year’s annual ‘feature’ update, but it doesn’t have any major new consumer features exclusive to this version. For enterprises, there are two notable changes to the default settings.
First, Point-in-time restore, which allows you to roll Windows back to an earlier state when something goes wrong, will be enabled by default on all PCs. And Windows settings backup, previously called Windows Backup for Organizations, will also be enabled by default on enterprise PCs.
What are ESDs, and what do they have to do with Windows 11 26H2 ISOs?
As first spotted by Windows Latest, Windows 11 26H2’s ESD files are now seeding via Microsoft’s internal servers, and they carry the Build 26300.9457.
For those unaware, ESD is better known as “Electronic Software Distribution,” and it contains Windows installation images in a compressed form. If you’ve used Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool to create a Windows installation USB or an ISO, ESDs basically power the entire process.
However, it’s worth noting that ESD is not distributed directly to consumers for you to download. For example, you can download an ISO, but you cannot download an ESD and directly upgrade Windows 11 without using a third-party tool. ESD is only a part of the material used to create Windows 11 installation media. Most people will never need to download or convert one manually.
“When a version of Windows is ready to be released, the final code within the main branch is built, packaged, and shipped through various media types. This includes ISO images and feature update packages available on Windows Update,” Microsoft noted in a document seen by Windows Latest.
ESDs usually go live hours before a major Windows update rolls out. This has been the case for the past few years, so that means we might see the Windows 11 2026 Update in the next few hours or days. Or if it’s not rolled out today, you will get it by October 6, 2026.
This is a developing story….
