If you purchased a computer that supports the Wi-Fi 7 wireless standard, be aware that your machine might not let you use it if you don’t install a specific update. We’ll explain it to you.
Microsoft recently confirmed in a support document that Wi-Fi 7, also known as 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT), will be available starting with version 24H2 of Windows 11. As a reminder, Wi-Fi 7 offers substantial performance improvements over its predecessors.
But what exactly does this mean for users? First of all, it is important to note that simply having installed Windows 11 24H2 does not automatically provide access to Wi-Fi 7 features. Users will also need to have compatible hardware, in particular a network adapter supporting the new wireless standard. To check if your device is ready for Wi-Fi 7, you can consult the manufacturer’s documentation or use Command Prompt to view the specifications of your wireless adapter.
Wi-Fi 7 is limited to this update on Windows 11
The benefits of Wi-Fi 7 are considerable. Microsoft insisted that the update fully supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO), a feature that allows seamlessly switch between multiple frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz, the fastest band. This dynamic band changing capability promises to reduce network congestion and significantly improve overall connection quality.
For those who want to take advantage of these improvements, the wait won’t be too long. Windows 11 24H2 is scheduled for release in late September or early Octoberbringing with it a host of improvements beyond just Wi-Fi 7 support.
It’s worth noting that while Wi-Fi 7 is currently exclusive to Windows 11 24H2, this limitation could be temporary. As with previous technological advancements, Microsoft may expand support to older versions of Windows in future updates.
