If your PC runs Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2, don’t assume version 26H1 is its next upgrade: Microsoft says 26H1 is for select new devices, while its documented feature-update path for those existing versions is 26H2. Before installing, back up important files, bring your current version up to date, and use the offer shown in Settings > Windows Update. Availability depends on the device.
Which Windows 11 upgrade applies to an existing PC?
The version number alone can be misleading. Microsoft says Windows 11 version 26H1 is intended for select new devices and “is not designed to be offered or installed on existing devices.” It uses a different Windows core and is not an in-place update from 24H2 or 25H2. Microsoft says the next annual feature update is planned for the second half of 2026. Read Microsoft’s 26H1 notice.
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For PCs already running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2, Microsoft documents a 26H2 feature-update path. That does not mean every eligible PC will see it at once: rollout timing varies by device. Check your own Windows Update page rather than relying on a general date. Microsoft’s 26H2 guidance sets out the applicable versions and prerequisites.
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- Check your Windows version and edition. Open Settings > System > About and note the Windows specifications. Edition matters because servicing deadlines differ. Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of updates on October 13, 2026; Enterprise and Education are supported until October 12, 2027, according to Microsoft’s 2026 notices. See the July 28, 2026 notice and the September 22, 2026 notice.
- Make sure important files are backed up. Microsoft recommends backing up before installing a new Windows version. Files already synced to OneDrive may not need an additional copy, but verify that syncing is complete and that you can access what matters. A separate external drive is another option. Microsoft describes backup examples in its Windows 11 upgrade FAQ and installation guidance.
- Install pending updates for your current Windows version, then restart. Updates and a restart may be needed before a feature-upgrade offer appears. After restarting, open Settings > Windows Update and check again. Microsoft’s upgrade preparation guidance explains this step.
- Use the device-specific Windows Update offer. If the update is listed, review its release information and select Download & install when ready. If it is not listed, its absence alone does not prove the PC is ineligible or establish when it will be offered. Microsoft says rollout timing varies. Its eligibility guidance and 26H2 instructions explain what to check.
- For 26H2, confirm the stated prerequisite if it applies to your installation route. Microsoft’s September 2026 guidance says a PC must be on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 and have the September 22, 2026 cumulative update, OS Build 26100.9546, or a later cumulative update. For devices receiving updates directly through Windows Update or WSUS, the feature update supplies the enablement package. A restart is required after applying it.
Should you turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available”?
It is optional. Microsoft says this Windows Update switch prioritizes the latest changes as they become available for the device; regular security updates continue whether the switch is on or off. It is not a guarantee that a particular feature update will be offered immediately. See Microsoft’s description of the setting.
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Why not force the upgrade with installation media?
A fresh install started by booting from installation media wipes the drive, removing files and apps. Microsoft advises checking eligibility and backing up first. For a routine feature update, use the supported route appropriate to the PC rather than treating a clean install as a shortcut. Microsoft explains the installation methods and their consequences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to expect after installing
Plan for a restart: Microsoft says one is required after applying the 26H2 enablement package. Separately, Microsoft’s upgrade FAQ gives users who upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 10 days to move back while retaining files and data migrated during the upgrade. After that period, returning requires a manual backup and clean install. That rollback option is not a substitute for backing up before installation. See Microsoft’s upgrade FAQ.
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Windows 11 baseline requirements are not a free-space estimate
Microsoft’s minimum Windows 11 requirements list 4 GB of RAM and a storage device of 64 GB or larger. These are baseline system requirements, not a claim that the next feature update needs exactly that much free space. Check the update information shown for your device rather than interpreting the baseline as an upgrade-space target. Microsoft’s system requirements lists the full baseline.
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