Microsoft is gearing up for the release of the Windows 11 23H2 update, and there are already early signs of this in the changes to the ‘Windows Configuration Update’. This update includes a toggle that allows users to get the latest updates as soon as they are available. Microsoft has shifted to using Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFR) technology for all Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge updates, gradually introducing new features. Users can enable a specific toggle in Windows 11 22H2 or later to immediately access these features.

Although the Windows 11 23H2 update has not been officially announced, it is expected to be unveiled at an event in New York City on September 21. Windows Latest has observed that Microsoft has quietly released a new version of the ‘Windows Configuration Update’ that is directly linked to the toggle for getting the latest updates. While this update doesn’t bring any noticeable improvements, it does make interesting changes to the toggle, which will likely be responsible for the initial rollout of the Windows 11 23H2 update.

To fully understand the release date of the Windows 11 23H2 update, let’s explore how the toggle works and what the “Windows Configuration Update” is. All updates for Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge are now delivered using CFR technology, similar to A/B tests. This gradual rollout approach allows Microsoft to identify and address any critical bugs before releasing the updates to a wider audience. After features have been thoroughly tested by volunteers, significant changes are included in a later monthly security update for all users.

Some users might prefer to have more control over the rollout process, which is why Microsoft introduced the toggle. By enabling the option to get the latest updates as soon as they are available in Windows 11 22H2 or later, users can bypass the waiting period and immediately access new features. Currently, the toggle does not have any functionality, but it was previously used for the Windows 11 Moment 3 update and is now being prepared for the upcoming 23H2 update, as confirmed by an internal document from Microsoft.

The Windows Configuration Update sets the framework for the transition to Windows 11 23H2, although the toggle itself is not operational at the moment. If users do not activate this toggle, they will receive the Windows 11 23H2 features through regular updates, such as Patch Tuesday or optional updates. Microsoft has already started incorporating new features of Windows 11 23H2 into the Windows 11 22H2 update, but the enablement package required to activate the hidden features is not yet available. Clues found in September’s optional update suggest that an enablement package called “Microsoft-Windows-23H2Enablement-Package” may be used, but it is not currently functional. Once it is operational, users will be able to activate features like Windows Copilot and taskbar ungroup.

As for the release date of Windows 11 23H2, sources indicate that Microsoft will announce it at the September 21 event in New York City. It is expected that the update will become available to more users outside of the Windows Insider Program in October, and it will eventually be distributed through production channels in November.