Windows 11 version 26H2 is available through a phased rollout to eligible PCs running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2. First check that your hardware meets Windows 11’s requirements; then use Windows Update if the offer appears. Passing the hardware check does not guarantee an immediate 26H2 offer, because rollout timing and compatibility safeguards are separate factors.
Check whether your PC meets Windows 11 requirements
On a Windows 10 PC, download Microsoft’s PC Health Check, open it, and select Check now. It reports whether the PC meets Windows 11’s minimum requirements and explains any detected blockers. On an existing Windows 11 PC, Windows Update can also assess whether an upgrade is available.
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These checks answer different questions: PC Health Check assesses hardware requirements, while the 26H2 offer also depends on the installed Windows version, rollout timing, and compatibility safeguards.
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Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements
| Component | Microsoft’s minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, with at least two cores, and included on Microsoft’s approved processor list |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger storage device |
| Firmware and security | UEFI firmware that is Secure Boot capable; TPM version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 or later compatible graphics, with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | Over 9 inches, 720p or higher resolution, and 8 bits per color channel |
These are minimums, not a guarantee that every Windows feature or app will run; some need more capable hardware. The processor list is important: meeting the speed and core-count figures alone is not enough. See Microsoft’s Windows 11 system requirements.
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Install 26H2 through Windows Update
Windows Update is the simplest route when Microsoft offers the feature update to your PC. Microsoft’s September 29, 2026 release-health update says the initial rollout is for eligible Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 devices. Availability is phased and expands over time, so an eligible PC may not see the offer right away.
- Install pending updates: Open Settings > Windows Update, install any available updates, and restart if prompted.
- Enable early update offers: On the Windows Update page, turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
- Check for 26H2: Select Check for updates. If Windows 11, version 26H2 appears, choose the option to download and install it.
- Restart: Follow the prompt to restart and complete installation. Microsoft describes this servicing-based update as a fast installation for eligible devices, completed with one restart.
For Microsoft’s current rollout details and known-issue notices, consult the Windows 11 26H2 release-health page.
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If Windows Update does not offer 26H2
First check that the PC is running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 and that pending updates are installed. If the update still does not appear, hardware eligibility alone may not explain it: the phased rollout may not have reached the device, or Microsoft may have applied a compatibility safeguard hold. Check the release-health page for current holds before trying another installation route. Microsoft recommends waiting for Windows Update to offer the update before using the Installation Assistant.
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Compare the installation options
| Route | Best suited to | Important limits |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | Eligible 24H2 or 25H2 PCs when the 26H2 offer appears | Phased availability; an offer may be delayed by rollout timing or a safeguard hold |
| Installation Assistant | Updating the Windows PC currently in use | Requires a Windows license and a supported existing Windows version; works on x64 processors, not Arm-based PCs. Microsoft recommends waiting for the Windows Update offer. |
| Installation media | Running Setup from within Windows for an upgrade, or booting from media for a fresh installation | A booted clean installation removes files and installed apps from the drive. Media does not bypass hardware requirements or compatibility safeguards. |
Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page identifies 26H2 as the current release and provides the Installation Assistant and installation-media routes. A USB flash drive is relevant only if you choose to create bootable media; check the current media-creation instructions for requirements rather than assuming a particular capacity. Most people who receive the Windows Update offer do not need installation media.
Upgrade in place or perform a clean install?
An in-place upgrade starts Setup from within the existing Windows installation and is intended to upgrade that installation. A clean installation starts by booting from installation media and choosing a fresh install; it wipes the drive, removing files and installed apps. Back up important files before either upgrade, and make a complete backup before a clean install. Read each Setup screen carefully so you do not select a drive-erasing option by mistake. Microsoft explains the workflows in its guide to reinstalling Windows with installation media.
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What to do if PC Health Check says the PC is ineligible
Use the specific PC Health Check result to identify the problem. Microsoft says some memory or storage limitations may be addressable through upgrades recommended by the PC maker; some devices may also have TPM or Secure Boot options that can be addressed through firmware settings. The right steps depend on the PC, and not every device can be made eligible.
If the processor is not on Microsoft’s supported list, or the device cannot meet another minimum, do not treat an alternate installer as a supported fix. Microsoft warns that installing Windows 11 on a device that fails the minimum requirements is not recommended and may cause compatibility problems or leave the device without support or update entitlement. Check Microsoft’s requirements page and the PC maker’s guidance before changing firmware settings or hardware.
Check current issues before installing
As of its September 29, 2026 update, Microsoft listed three 26H2 issues as mitigated: some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices might fail to start or produce no sound; some domain-joined devices might lose their secure trust relationship; and some virtual desktop environments might show a black screen or desktop-loading problem after sign-in. Mitigated does not mean every configuration is unaffected, and issue status can change. Check the live release-health page for the latest status and any safeguard holds before installing by another route.
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