Windows 11 25H2 Review: Quiet Enablement Update with Sudo, Archives, and Wi‑Fi 7

Microsoft’s Windows 11 “25H2” arrives as an unusually quiet sequel: more maintenance than milestone, with a few welcome conveniences — like a native sudo command and archive creation in File Explorer — offset by a lack of headline-grabbing features and some missed opportunities that power users and IT admins will notice.

Background / Overview​

Windows 11 version 25H2 is being delivered as an enablement package layered on top of the existing 24H2 platform rather than a full, ground-up release. That technical choice means 25H2 mostly toggles features that already exist in 24H2, resets support lifecycles for devices that adopt it, and removes a few legacy components — rather than introducing a suite of brand-new user-facing capabilities. Microsoft published this rollout to the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel and confirmed the enablement-package approach and feature parity with 24H2.
This reality sets the tone: public expectations for a “big” 2025 feature drop were not met. Critics calling 25H2 underwhelming are not being wildly unfair; Microsoft itself framed the release as primarily about servicing, compatibility, and some housekeeping (removals like PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC, plus admin controls for preinstalled Store apps on Enterprise/Education SKUs). Still, the update does bring several practical enhancements — some aimed at developers and power users — that deserve a thoughtful look.

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What actually changed in 25H2 (short list)​

• Delivery model: 25H2 is an enablement package (small install, one reboot) layered onto 24H2 rather than a full platform refresh.
• Developer / power-user conveniences: Sudo for Windows (run elevated commands from an unelevated console) and other CLI refinements; on-device improvements to the command-line toolchain are available.
• File Explorer: native create/extract support for 7‑Zip and TAR archives via a compression wizard and context menu; convenience for cross-platform file sharing and fewer third‑party dependencies.
• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 7 support is present starting with 24H2 (and therefore in any release that enables that platform), though hardware/driver support is required to access full capabilities.
• Audio / AI: Microsoft’s Voice Clarity and other AI-powered audio/video improvements are included in the platform stack; many of these are gated to Copilot+ hardware for the highest-end experiences.
• Housekeeping: removal of legacy tools (PowerShell 2.0, WMIC) and new options for admins to remove select preinstalled Microsoft Store apps in Enterprise/EDU.

These points are confirmed across Microsoft documentation and independent coverage — the update is real, useful in places, but not transformational.

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Deep dive: the headline features and what they mean​

Sudo for Windows — small change, surprisingly useful for devs​

• What it is: a native sudo command that lets you run a single elevated command from an unelevated terminal. It supports three operational modes (new window, input-closed, inline) and is configurable under Settings > System > For Developers.
• Why it matters: for sysadmins, developers, and users migrating from Unix-like shells, sudo is a convenience win. It reduces friction for common workflows (one-off elevated commands) and maps a familiar mental model from Linux to Windows. That matters in mixed-environment shops and developer machines where command-line ergonomics add up every day.
• Security caveats: Microsoft explicitly warns that certain sudo configurations (notably inline mode) can be an escalation-of-privilege vector if misused. The disableInput and normal modes allow tighter or looser linking between the unelevated and elevated processes; administrators should understand the trade-offs and default to the safer forceNewWindow or use group policies in managed environments. In short: convenience, but use caution.

Native 7‑Zip and TAR creation in File Explorer — the long-overdue convenience​

• What it is: File Explorer now includes a compression wizard and context-menu options to create ZIP, 7z, and TAR files (with multiple compression methods). This replaces many basic use cases for third-party archivers.
• Why it matters: for the casual user this is a direct quality‑of‑life improvement — no need to install a separate utility just to package files for transfer. For professionals who need advanced features (encryption, advanced scripting, or maximum speed), dedicated tools like 7‑Zip or command-line tar/pxz remain superior, but the built-in support reduces friction and improves cross-platform sharing.
• Limitations: the built‑in tool is intentionally not a full replacement for advanced archive managers (no RAR creation, limited encryption features). Expect Microsoft to target the 80/20 use cases: quick packaging and extracting across common formats.

Wi‑Fi 7 support — real, but hardware-limited​

• What it is: the OS includes support for the Wi‑Fi Alliance’s Wi‑Fi 7 standard (802.11be), but the ripest features require compatible radios and vendor drivers. Microsoft’s support documentation and independent reporting note that Wi‑Fi 7 support arrives in 24H2 onward.
• Why it matters: Wi‑Fi 7 promises multi‑gigabit throughput, lower latency, and features such as Multi‑Link Operation (MLO), which can be a boon for high-demand uses (large file transfers, high-fidelity streaming, low-latency gaming). But the OS alone doesn’t magically deliver Wi‑Fi 7 — the device needs a Wi‑Fi 7 adapter (e.g., Intel BE200/BE201/BE202 or OEM modules) and the correct driver from the hardware vendor.
• Practical reality: deployed base of Wi‑Fi 7 hardware remains small. Microsoft’s support page points out that while Windows supports Wi‑Fi 7 starting with 24H2, you should expect to pair the OS with a recent driver and router supporting 802.11be for meaningful gains. Expect adoption to grow over 2025–2026, not explode overnight.

Voice Clarity and AI audio features — better sound, and still gated​

• What it is: AI-driven audio improvements (Voice Clarity, live captions/translations, Studio Effects) aim to suppress noise, reduce reverberation, and enhance call/video quality. Some features are being expanded beyond Surface devices and will run on a wider set of CPUs without requiring an NPU. Others — the full Copilot+ experience — remain gated to certified Copilot+ PCs for premium on-device AI workloads.
• Why it matters: clearer voice and better webcam handling are practical wins for hybrid work and gaming chat. The distinction between on-device NPU‑accelerated features and CPU-driven adaptations matters for performance and privacy; Microsoft is trying to broaden availability while retaining the best experiences for Copilot+ hardware.

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Context: why some users expected more​

The chatter around a “big” Windows 11 2025 update grew out of years of Microsoft teasing elements of deeper OS modernization (AI, Copilot, Rust components in the kernel, expanded device integration, and more). Many enthusiasts hoped for a major UI or architectural leap. Instead, Microsoft doubled down on its continuous innovation model: shipping many smaller capabilities incrementally and keeping annual updates lightweight and compatible by design. The enablement-package model makes enterprise lifecycle management easier, but it also lowers the visible impact of that particular version bump. The result is a public perception of underwhelm even while the platform actually moved forward in scattered, meaningful ways.

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Critical analysis — strengths, trade‑offs and risks​

Strengths​

• Low friction rollouts. Delivering 25H2 as an enablement package keeps installs short and lowers the risk of large-scale compatibility breakage. This is smart for enterprises and mainstream users who value stability.
• Developer ergonomics. Sudo for Windows is an industry-aligned move that will reduce friction for shell users, cross-platform devs, and IT professionals. When used with safe defaults, it’s a net productivity win.
• Reducing third‑party dependency for basic tasks. Native 7z/TAR creation and extraction in File Explorer reduces the need for casual users to install third-party archivers and helps with cross-platform sharing.
• Security and modern code. The continued integration of Rust into parts of the Windows kernel and the removal of deprecated tools is a measured, long-term win for memory safety and maintainability.

Trade-offs and risks​

• Perception vs. reality mismatch. Because Microsoft promised continual improvements and big AI narratives, a maintenance-centric release looks uninspiring — even while it quietly solves real problems. That mismatch hurts goodwill.
• Fragmentation of experience. Many of the AI-driven “best” features remain exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft is splitting the experience by hardware certification, which risks creating two classes of Windows with different practical capabilities. Users on older hardware will see smaller benefits from the same OS.
• Security vectors from convenience features. sudo introduces genuine convenience but also raises an escalation‑of‑privilege surface. Microsoft’s docs flag this explicitly; administrators in managed environments should evaluate whether and how to enable sudo.
• Monetization and UX friction. The Start menu recommendations (effectively promotional app suggestions) continue to draw criticism and friction. Even if the feature is optional, its presence and wording created a perception that Windows is becoming more promotional and less purely user-focused.
• Hardware gating slows real-world rollout. Wi‑Fi 7 and AI audio improvements require new radios, routers, drivers, or Copilot+ hardware for the full effect. The OS supports the standards, but practical impact depends on third‑party hardware timelines.

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Practical guidance — what readers (and admins) should do now​

• Consider the rollout strategy:
• If you run enterprise or production machines, treat 25H2 like a fast-servicing option rather than an urgent “must-install.” The enablement package is convenient, but there’s little that’s mission-critical for most orgs beyond lifecycle reset and selective removals.
• For developers and power users — enable sudo or test cautiously:
• Steps to enable (short): Settings > System > For Developers > Enable sudo. Or run sudo configuration from an elevated terminal. Prefer forceNewWindow until you understand the security trade-offs. Microsoft provides configuration and warnings in its docs.
• If you need Wi‑Fi 7:
• Verify hardware and driver support. Check netsh wlan show drivers and look for 802.11be in “Radio types supported,” and consult your adapter vendor (Intel, Realtek, OEM) for updated drivers. Don’t expect transformative speed without a compatible adapter and router.
• File sharing and archives:
• Use the built‑in File Explorer compression wizard for routine tasks; continue to rely on 7‑Zip or other advanced tools for encryption, scripting, or enterprise-grade compression needs.
• Privacy and UI control:
• Disable Start menu recommendations if you find app promotions intrusive: Settings > Personalization > Start > toggle off “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.” IT admins can control similar behavior with GPO/MDM.
• Testing and rollback:
• Treat ISOs and the Insider Release Preview channel as preview/test platforms. If your workload is sensitive or you depend on specialized drivers, wait for broad GA and early cumulative patches. Microsoft warns and offers phased rollout guidance.

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Missed potential — what could have made 25H2 feel bigger​

• A single, high-impact UI rework (Start menu redesign/regain control) shipped in earlier cycles; fans were hoping for the same kind of obvious, visible payoff in 25H2. A consolidated push to make Copilot and AI features seamless without hardware gating would have altered perception dramatically.
• Broader, consistent on‑device AI across the mid-tier hardware spectrum rather than a Copilot+ elite tier would have made the update feel inclusive rather than segmented.
• More actionable admin tooling (bulk migration tools, built-in privacy dashboards for generative AI, or deeper sandboxing for sudo usage in enterprise) would have helped enterprises embrace the update as more than lifecycle housekeeping.

These are realistic product levers Microsoft could have pulled to change the narrative from “maintenance” to “momentous.” Instead, the company prioritized stability, lifecycle resets, and incremental feature parity — defensible from an engineering and operations standpoint, less exciting from a consumer marketing angle.

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Final verdict — who should upgrade and when​

• Power users and developers: Try it on a test machine or VM. sudo and the improved CLI ergonomics plus the File Explorer archive tools are genuinely useful. Enable carefully and understand the security trade-offs.
• Enterprise admins: Treat 25H2 as an operational milestone (support-lifecycle reset) rather than a feature imperative. Test line-of-business apps and drivers; evaluate the new app-removal controls for Enterprise/EDU devices and plan patches accordingly.
• Casual users: There’s no urgent need to rush. The visible experience will be close to what you already have on 24H2. If you want the new File Explorer conveniences or plan to buy Wi‑Fi 7 hardware soon, upgrading is reasonable; otherwise waiting for the general availability/first cumulative update is prudent.
• Privacy-/ad-sensitive users: If the Start menu promotion or Copilot prompts bother you, know where the toggles are and that conservative configuration or GPOs can quash a lot of the promotional nudges.

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Closing thoughts​

Windows 11 25H2 is the product of a strategy that prioritizes continuous, low-friction evolution over one big, splashy release. That approach has tangible merits: smaller installs, safer enterprise rollouts, and steady delivery of platform improvements. But it also creates expectation management challenges. Enthusiasts who wanted a bold, transformative update will be disappointed; those who value reliability, minor but meaningful developer conveniences like sudo, and polished incremental features — including native archive support and foundational Wi‑Fi/A/V improvements — will find real value.
The Yardbarker take that 25H2 feels underwhelming captures a common emotional reaction to the release; it’s accurate as an opinion piece about perceived momentum. At the same time, the technical documentation and independent reporting show 25H2 as a purposeful, conservative upgrade with concrete wins and clear trade-offs. Readers who separate hype from engineering will find practical reasons to adopt 25H2 — but the larger question of whether Windows should concentrate more of its energy on dramatic, visible innovation or on incremental, reliability-first engineering will keep the conversation alive.

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Quick reference: useful links to check (actionable starting points)​

• Enable or configure Sudo: Settings > System > For Developers — prefer forceNewWindow until you audit usage.
• Disable Start menu recommendations: Settings > Personalization > Start > toggle off recommendations.
• Check Wi‑Fi 7 capability: run netsh wlan show drivers and look for 802.11be in “Radio types supported,” and get drivers from your vendor.

(For readers seeking a quick hands-on path, the Windows Insider Release Preview channel and Microsoft’s ISOs are how to test 25H2 early, but treat them as preview builds for non-critical devices.)
The update delivers sensible engineering and helpful small features, but not the headline-making reinvention many expected — a clear win in operational terms and a muted moment in the court of public perception.

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Source: Yardbarker Windows 11 25H2 Features Breakdown: Sudo, Wi-Fi 7, and Missed Potential