Microsoft’s announcement of Windows 11 version 25H2 might seem modest on the surface — another enablement package, a few tweaks here and there — but it quietly signals a tectonic shift in how modern operating systems evolve. Rather than ushering in a flashy “Windows 12,” Microsoft is opting for more incremental stability while devoting its real innovation efforts toward embedding Copilot AI into the heart of Windows.
Windows 11 25H2 is set to roll out in late 2025, coinciding with the sunset of Windows 10’s support in October. Rather than requiring a full OS upgrade like version 24H2, 25H2 arrives via a lightweight enablement package (eKB). For users already on 24H2, this means a near-effortless transition — just a single reboot with no need to reinstall core system files. Microsoft is maintaining the same servicing stack between the two versions, allowing for consistent updates and a reset of the support lifecycle. That translates to 36 months of updates for Enterprise and Education editions, and 24 months for Pro and Home.
As for what’s actually new, Microsoft hasn’t published a detailed feature list yet. However, we know that many features are already being deployed as dormant code in monthly cumulative updates to version 24H2. These features remain inactive until the 25H2 eKB switches them on — a technique that improves stability and offers a controlled feature rollout. Windows Insiders already have access to these features through the Dev and Beta Channels, where they’re being tested and fine-tuned ahead of general availability.
The real transformation isn’t the version number, though. It’s the deepening role of Copilot. Microsoft’s flagship AI assistant is being stitched into the daily fabric of Windows — not with a bang, but through a series of calculated, cumulative updates. Tools like Windows Recall, Cocreator in Paint, and AI enhancements to the Snipping Tool and File Explorer reflect this shift. These features aim to make everyday tasks more intuitive, whether it’s finding your past activity, generating images, summarizing content, or improving accessibility. While many of these tools are exclusive to new Copilot+ PCs with neural processing hardware, even non-Copilot+ devices will gradually benefit from AI improvements over time.
Apple, meanwhile, is taking a different path. With iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, the company has embraced a new Liquid Glass UI and unified versioning system. It’s also rolling out Apple Intelligence, a privacy-focused AI framework that quietly enhances apps like Messages, Notes, and Photos. Apple emphasizes on-device processing and private cloud security, while giving developers access to new APIs for building intelligent, responsive experiences. Rather than weaving AI directly into the OS shell like Microsoft, Apple is letting its ecosystem absorb AI discreetly — staying consistent with its brand of smooth, cohesive user experience.
Then there’s Google, which is going full tilt into AI-first computing. Android and ChromeOS updates are now essentially carriers for Gemini, Google’s all-encompassing AI platform. With new offerings like Gemini Live and Agent Mode, and initiatives like Project Mariner, Google is signaling that the OS is no longer the product — Gemini is. Google wants its AI assistant to be everywhere, guiding users through conversations, task automation, and personalized workflows across all devices.
Each company’s strategy reflects a different philosophy. Microsoft is focused on preserving OS stability while embedding AI through recurring updates. Apple is doubling down on ecosystem design and developer tooling, with privacy at the forefront. Google is treating the OS as a means to scale its AI — not as a destination in itself. Together, they paint a vivid picture of an industry in transition, where AI is no longer a future feature — it’s the present foundation.
| Microsoft | Apple | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Versioning | Windows 11 (25H2) | iOS/macOS 26 (year-based) | Gemini-first, OS blurred |
| AI Strategy | Copilot embedded gradually | Apple Intelligence, privacy-led | Gemini as core platform |
| Update Style | Enablement packages | Full OS update cycle | Continuous AI layer |
| Key Focus | Stability + AI workflows | Cohesive UX + Dev APIs | AI-first, OS-agnostic model |
| User Benefit | Seamless upgrades, new AI | Familiar OS, subtle AI utility | Conversational AI everywhere |
Microsoft isn’t chasing a Windows 12 moment — it’s laying the rails for an AI-native platform without making users relearn the train schedule. In an era where Apple prioritizes polish and Google prioritizes scale, Microsoft is carving out a space for incremental operating systems enhanced by intelligent companions. Not a revolution — just evolution, powered by Copilot.
