Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 11 revamp threatens to bury older systems in a sweeping purge

Microsoft is quietly preparing for a massive internal overhaul of Windows 11, and the signs are grim for older platforms. In a calculated shift, the tech giant has started rolling out new builds in the 26200 range to its Insider Dev Channel—a move that insiders say lays the foundation for a seismic update labelled version 25H2, expected to arrive before the end of 2025.

While the public remains largely unaware, the gears are turning behind the scenes. These new builds are not just routine updates—they signal a major realignment of Windows’ underlying architecture. The platform changes, initially exclusive to the Windows Canary Channel, are now creeping into the Dev Channel. It’s a clear indicator that something big—and possibly irreversible—is coming.

At the heart of this transformation is Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon X2 chip, which demands a different breed of software support. Microsoft is responding with significant platform adjustments that are only compatible with newer foundations. For now, that foundation is Germanium—the core underpinning of Windows 11 version 24H2. All evidence points to this same platform carrying over into version 25H2, effectively unifying both releases under one dominant infrastructure.

Though Microsoft has yet to confirm this, the backporting of key development features to Germanium leaves little doubt. If the tech company proceeds with this plan, it could phase out competing platform versions like Nickel (used in 23H2) and Vibranium (used in Windows 10) altogether.

The implications are chilling for legacy systems. With Windows 10’s support officially ending in October, the writing is on the wall. Microsoft appears to be orchestrating a platform purge—consolidating all development onto Germanium and pushing users towards the latest iterations of Windows 11.

Those still clinging to older versions like Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10 22H2 may soon find themselves out in the cold. Both are slated to lose support later this year, aligning neatly with Microsoft’s rollout timeline for 25H2. It’s a window of opportunity for the company to force migration—either upgrade or be left behind.

This shift isn’t purely cosmetic. Microsoft plans to inject a slew of backported improvements into Germanium, from performance boosts to hardened security measures and streamlined bug fixes. The goal is clear: make the transition feel smoother, faster, and less painful for users—but the subtext is unmistakable. There will be no room for stragglers.

As it stands, Windows operates on three active platforms: Vibranium (Windows 10), Nickel (Windows 11 23H2), and Germanium (Windows 11 24H2). The company’s goal, it seems, is to eliminate this fragmentation. Whether this ends with Germanium reigning supreme or paves the way for an entirely new foundation like Selenium, remains to be seen.

One thing is certain—Microsoft’s platform reshuffle is no ordinary update. It’s a silent but sweeping execution of outdated code, and it’s coming faster than most realise.