On a Windows 11 24H2 PC, the supported in-place route is Settings > Windows Update. Check for Windows 11, version 25H2; if Microsoft offers it for that device, install it and restart when prompted. Microsoft delivers 25H2 as an enablement package, so the update activates features already present in the 24H2 code base rather than replacing the operating system with a completely different build.
The offer is device- and rollout-dependent. If 25H2 does not appear, do not use a third-party “force upgrade” script or assume that downloading a package from the Microsoft Update Catalog is supported. The documented channels are Windows Update and, for managed computers, WSUS. No USB drive, replacement hardware, paid utility, or other physical product is required for the normal in-place upgrade.
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What changes when 24H2 becomes 25H2?
Windows 11 25H2 is a scoped feature update for devices already running version 24H2. Microsoft says both releases share a common operating-system core and identical system files. The newer 25H2 features are included in the latest monthly quality update for 24H2, but remain dormant until an enablement package activates them.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThat design is why the transition normally needs only one restart. Microsoft Support describes the package as a way to move from 24H2 to 25H2 “with a single restart, reducing update downtime” in its KB5054156 documentation. The package is still a feature update, so Windows Update must offer it to the particular device; a shared code base does not mean every PC receives the offer simultaneously.
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This is an in-place upgrade. Your installed applications, files, and Windows settings are intended to remain in place, although you should save open work and allow the device to complete every restart and configuration screen. Microsoft does not publish a universal completion time or a guaranteed success percentage. Download speed, pending updates, storage activity, device configuration, and management policy can all affect the total session.
Check your current version before starting
The enablement-package route described by Microsoft requires Windows 11 version 24H2. Confirm the starting version before looking for 25H2:
- Open Settings.
- Select System, then About.
- Read the Windows specifications and confirm that the version is 24H2.
You can also press Windows key + R, enter winver, and press Enter. If the dialog shows a different release, the 24H2-to-25H2 procedure is not the applicable path. If the PC is running a work or school edition, also note whether it is Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education; servicing deadlines and deployment controls differ by edition.
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Microsoft names the August 29, 2025 KB5064081 Preview update, which brings the operating system to build 26100.5074, as the minimum prerequisite. A later cumulative update also satisfies that requirement. You do not need to find that exact preview update if the PC has subsequently received a newer cumulative update.
To bring the device up to date before checking for the feature update:
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install any available quality or cumulative updates.
- Restart if Windows requests it, then return to Settings > Windows Update.
To check the build directly, open Settings > System > About or run winver and compare the displayed OS build with 26100.5074. A later build is acceptable because Microsoft defines the requirement as KB5064081 or a later cumulative update, not as possession of that preview package alone.
The prerequisite is a software condition, not a requirement to buy a USB drive, replacement hardware, or a separate repair utility. The ordinary Windows Update installation has no separate upgrade purchase or physical-media cost. Keep the PC connected to reliable power, close applications, and save work before allowing the restart.
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Install 25H2 through Windows Update
For an individual PC, Windows Update is the straightforward supported channel. Use the following sequence:
- Open Settings from the Start menu.
- Choose Windows Update in the left-hand navigation.
- Select Check for updates and wait for the results.
- Look for a feature-update entry named Windows 11, version 25H2.
- If that entry is offered, select Download and install (or the equivalent install button shown by your current Windows build).
- Allow Windows Update to complete the download and installation. Keep the PC connected to power and do not interrupt the restart process.
- When prompted, choose Restart now, or restart at a convenient time before the installation deadline shown in Settings.
Applying the enablement package requires a restart. The package is designed for one restart, but Windows may separately request restarts for other pending updates; follow the prompts displayed on the device rather than assuming that every update session has the same sequence.
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The feature-update label matters. A normal quality update may appear in the same Windows Update page, but it is not the 25H2 transition. Select the entry that explicitly says Windows 11, version 25H2, and read any restart or scheduling notice before proceeding.
Confirm that the upgrade completed
After Windows starts again, verify the result instead of relying on the update history alone:
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- Confirm that the version is shown as 25H2.
- For a quick alternative, press Windows key + R, type
winver, and press Enter. Check the version displayed in the dialog.
These checks are practical ways to verify the version after the restart. Microsoft’s enablement-package description explains the activation mechanism but does not prescribe one particular verification screen. If the version still says 24H2, wait for Windows Update to finish any remaining configuration, restart only when prompted, and then review update history for a failed feature-update entry.
If Windows Update does not offer 25H2
A missing offer does not by itself prove that the computer is incapable of running 25H2. Microsoft’s documentation treats availability as dependent on rollout and device eligibility. At the research date, the reviewed guidance does not establish a supported consumer method for overriding that decision and forcing exactly 25H2.
Install current updates, then check again
First, finish the ordinary cumulative updates shown under Settings > Windows Update, restart if asked, and run Check for updates again. The 25H2 offer may appear only after the device reaches the required servicing level. Confirm that the machine has KB5064081, build 26100.5074, or a later cumulative update.
Do not substitute the Update Catalog
Microsoft’s channel table marks the 25H2 enablement package as unavailable through the Microsoft Update Catalog. That means searching the Catalog for a standalone 25H2 enablement package is not the documented consumer workaround. Avoid unofficial packages, registry changes, or scripts that claim to bypass Windows Update’s eligibility decision. They can create a servicing state that Microsoft’s documented procedure does not support.
Check whether the PC is managed
On a work or school computer, deployment policy may control which feature updates are offered. Ask the organization’s administrator whether the device is being held on 24H2, targeted to 25H2, or assigned a newer release. Changing policy settings yourself can conflict with the organization’s servicing plan.
Understand a newer offer
Microsoft’s September 22, 2026 release documentation also describes Windows 11 26H2 as an enablement-package target from either 24H2 or 25H2. Therefore, a PC may show a newer target rather than the exact 25H2 label. The reviewed material does not document a supported consumer control for selecting 25H2 when Windows Update offers another target or withholds the offer. Read the version name carefully before accepting a newer release, especially on a managed PC where application compatibility may be controlled by an administrator.
Deployment channels: Windows Update and WSUS
Microsoft documents two relevant delivery channels for the 25H2 enablement package. They serve different audiences:
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| Channel | Who controls deployment | How 25H2 is identified | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | The individual device and Microsoft’s rollout and eligibility logic | “Windows 11, version 25H2” | The offer may not appear on every device at the same time |
| WSUS | An organization’s administrator | Feature update named “Windows 11, version 25H2” | The administrator must configure the appropriate product and classification |
For WSUS, Microsoft instructs administrators to select Product: Windows 11 and Classification: Upgrades. The administrator can then approve and target the feature update according to organizational rings and policies. A managed client will not necessarily receive the feature update merely because an administrator has approved other Windows updates; the organization’s targeting and approval rules still determine what appears.
The Microsoft Update Catalog is explicitly not an available channel for this enablement package. That distinction is important: Catalog downloads exist for many Windows updates, but Microsoft’s 25H2 channel table does not list a Catalog package that a consumer can use to force this transition.
Why the package is normally quick, but not instantly finished
The shared-core design reduces the amount of operating-system content that has to change. Features already delivered in monthly quality updates are switched on by the enablement package, and Microsoft states that one restart is required. That explains the intended reduction in update downtime.
It does not provide a guaranteed end-to-end completion time for every PC. Download speed, pending updates, storage activity, device configuration, and organizational policies can affect how long the complete session takes. Microsoft’s documentation does not publish a universal duration or success-rate figure, so treat the progress and restart messages on the target PC as authoritative. Do not power off the computer while Windows is applying the update.
Edition and servicing deadlines
The reason to pay attention to the upgrade can differ by edition. Microsoft’s 2026 servicing information lists these dates for Windows 11 24H2:
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| Windows 11 24H2 edition | End of updates stated by Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Home and Pro | October 13, 2026 |
| Enterprise and Education | October 12, 2027 |
Microsoft also says the September 2026 non-security preview was the final preview update for 24H2. Supported editions continue receiving monthly security updates under their servicing lifecycle, but the end dates above are the dates attached to the named editions. Confirm your edition in Settings > System > About before interpreting the deadline. An Enterprise or Education PC may remain within its supported period after a Home or Pro device reaches its listed end date.
Current servicing items that can affect expectations
AC-3 audio applications
Current 24H2/25H2 release notes report that some applications using AC-3 audio decoding may fail to launch or may close unexpectedly. The report concerns applications that use that decoding path; it is not evidence that every PC upgrading from 24H2 will have an audio problem. If a particular application exhibits the behavior after updating, check that application’s vendor guidance and Microsoft’s current release notes for the applicable fix status.
Azure Virtual Desktop and FSLogix sign-in symptoms
Microsoft also documents black-screen or desktop-loading problems after sign-in, primarily observed on Azure Virtual Desktop hosts using FSLogix. The described circumstance is specific to that virtual-desktop configuration. Microsoft lists a workaround and says it is working on a resolution. A standard consumer PC is not automatically affected by this report, and the symptom should not be presented as a general consequence of moving from 24H2 to 25H2.
Setup Dynamic Update KB5126056
A separate September 8, 2026 Setup Dynamic Update, KB5126056, applies to Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft describes it as addressing security vulnerabilities in setup binaries or files used for feature updates. It is delivered through Windows Update, the Update Catalog, or WSUS, and Microsoft lists no prerequisites for that setup update.
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KB5126056 is deployment support, not an extra user-directed prerequisite established for the 25H2 enablement package. Do not confuse the two: the 25H2 transition uses the enablement-package path, while the Setup Dynamic Update refreshes setup components. If Windows installs KB5126056 automatically during the process, that does not change the required 25H2 version check.
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The PC still reports 24H2 after restarting
Open Settings > System > About or run winver and read the version field. If it remains 24H2, return to Settings > Windows Update, check for updates again, and review the update history for a failed feature-update entry. Confirm that the prerequisite build is present. The documented guidance does not provide a supported manual force-install procedure when Windows Update has not completed the offer.
The 25H2 entry is visible but installation is deferred
Use the install control shown in Windows Update and follow any restart deadline. If the device is managed, contact the administrator before changing update settings; organizational deferral policies can intentionally postpone feature updates. A deferred offer is different from an unavailable offer: Windows has identified the target, but scheduling or policy may control when installation occurs.
You expected a 25H2 offer but see 26H2
Read the feature-update name carefully. Microsoft documents 26H2 as a newer enablement target from 24H2 or 25H2. The presence of that offer means the version path presented to the device differs from the exact target in this guide; the reviewed documentation does not establish a supported switch that forces the older 25H2 offer.
You are searching for a downloadable 25H2 package
For this enablement package, Microsoft marks the Update Catalog channel unavailable. Use Windows Update on an unmanaged PC or consult the administrator for WSUS deployment on a managed PC. Avoid third-party download sites and scripts that claim to reproduce Microsoft’s package. No paid download, USB installer, or replacement component is part of Microsoft’s normal route.
A concise checklist
- Confirm the starting release is Windows 11 24H2 and note the edition.
- In Settings > Windows Update, install pending cumulative updates.
- Ensure the device has KB5064081 Preview, build 26100.5074, from August 29, 2025, or a later cumulative update.
- Look specifically for Windows 11, version 25H2.
- Install it only when Windows Update offers it, then complete the required restart.
- Verify 25H2 in Settings > System > About or with
winver. - If it is not offered, treat that as a rollout or eligibility decision; use the supported channel for your device rather than an unofficial force-install method.
- On a managed PC, ask the administrator whether WSUS policy or a newer target such as 26H2 controls the offer.
- Keep the servicing deadlines in mind: October 13, 2026 for 24H2 Home and Pro, and October 12, 2027 for Enterprise and Education.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install KB5064081 itself?
Not necessarily. KB5064081 Preview, OS build 26100.5074, dated August 29, 2025, is Microsoft’s named minimum. A later cumulative update also satisfies the prerequisite, so current fully updated systems may already meet it.
How many restarts does 25H2 require?
The enablement package requires a restart, and Microsoft describes the move as using a single restart to reduce downtime. Other pending updates can request additional restarts in the same session, so follow the prompts shown by Windows.
Can I force 25H2 if it is missing?
The documented material does not establish a supported consumer override. Finish available cumulative updates, check again, and contact an administrator if the PC is managed. Do not rely on unofficial scripts or packages.
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Is 25H2 available in the Microsoft Update Catalog?
Microsoft’s channel table marks the 25H2 enablement package unavailable through the Update Catalog. Windows Update is the consumer channel; WSUS is the documented managed-deployment channel.
Why is my computer offering 26H2 instead?
Microsoft documents 26H2 as a newer enablement target from 24H2 or 25H2. The offer can therefore differ by device and rollout status. The cited guidance does not provide a supported control for forcing 25H2 instead.
Does this upgrade require new hardware or paid software?
No such purchase is established for the normal in-place process. The package is delivered through Windows Update or WSUS. A USB drive, replacement PC component, repair tool, or paid service is not a stated requirement.
Bottom line
For a Windows 11 24H2 PC, upgrade through Settings > Windows Update when the feature update named Windows 11, version 25H2 appears. Keep the system on the required cumulative-update level, expect one restart for the enablement package, and verify the version afterward. If Microsoft does not offer 25H2, there is no documented consumer override in the cited guidance; managed users should work through WSUS administrators, while all users should avoid treating the unavailable Update Catalog package or unofficial scripts as supported alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the supported way to upgrade from Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2?
Open Settings > Windows Update, check for updates, and install Windows 11, version 25H2 if Microsoft offers it for the device. Restart when prompted and verify the version afterward.
What prerequisite does Microsoft list for the 25H2 enablement package?
The named minimum is the August 29, 2025 KB5064081 Preview update, OS build 26100.5074, or any later cumulative update.
What should I do if 25H2 is not offered?
Install pending cumulative updates, restart if requested, and check again. If it remains unavailable, treat that as rollout or eligibility behavior; there is no documented supported consumer method to force exactly 25H2.
Can a work or school PC receive 25H2 through WSUS?
Yes. Microsoft documents WSUS deployment with Product set to Windows 11 and Classification set to Upgrades. The organization’s administrator controls approval and targeting.
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How do I verify that the upgrade finished?
Use Settings > System > About or run winver and confirm that the Windows version reads 25H2.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Update a Windows 11 24H2 PC through Windows Update when Windows 11, version 25H2 is offered. Ensure KB5064081 or a later cumulative update is installed, complete the required restart, and verify 25H2 afterward. If the offer is missing, use WSUS administration on managed devices and avoid unsupported force-install tools.
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