March 05, 2024 – In a recent development, Microsoft has quietly introduced support for USB4 2.0 in its latest Windows 11 update, sparking excitement among users. With this update, Windows 11 now boasts support for 80Gbps USB4 connections, marking a significant leap forward in data transfer speeds.
The updated operating system versions, 22621.3235 and 22631.3235, have already started rolling out to users via automatic updates. While the USB4 2.0 specification was finalized at the end of 2022, the availability of compatible products capable of achieving 80Gbps connections has been slow to materialize. Originally, USB4 offered speeds up to 40Gbps, which was still considered cutting-edge as compatible devices began emerging over the past year.
The Windows update hints at the possibility of widespread adoption of devices capable of 80Gbps connections in the coming year. Under certain conditions, USB4 2.0 hardware can transmit data at speeds of up to 120Gbps in one direction and 40Gbps in both directions.
In addition to USB4 2.0, Windows is also gearing up to support Wi-Fi 7, the next generation of wireless connectivity. Some insiders have already reported receiving Wi-Fi 7 support in recent updates, enabling the use of broader signal bands and connection speeds up to four times faster than Wi-Fi 6. The Wi-Fi 7 standard was finalized in January of this year, and fully certified devices are expected to start appearing in the coming years.
Overall, these updates promise to bring significant improvements to data transfer speeds and wireless connectivity for Windows 11 users. As more devices adopt these new standards, we can expect to see even faster and more reliable connections in the future.
