At best, this will overwrite my current settings instead of merely upgrading my existing Windows Pro 22H2 installation, which is undesirable.
The real issue is that the 23H2 enablement package is not being installed after the hold was removed on 7 Feb 2024. The Support notice says machines will get the update in 48 hours, and it has been over ten weeks.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/resolved-issues-windows-11-23H2#3217msgdesc
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/resolved-issues-windows-11-23H2
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-11-version-23h2-update-history-59875222-b990-4bd9-932f-91a5954de434
How can I manually upgrade Windows 11 Pro Version 22h2 to Version 23H2?
How do I manually download the entire Windows 11 Version 22h2 Update? (Windows Update has failed three times now, somehow missing files)
How do I upgrade my windows 11 version 22H2 to 23H2 or 24H2?
How to upgrade from Windows 11 Pro build 22H2 to 25H2?
How do I update Windows 11 22H2?
What is Windows 11 version 22H2?
Is it safe to update to Windows 11 22H2?
Videos
At best, this will overwrite my current settings instead of merely upgrading my existing Windows Pro 22H2 installation, which is undesirable.
The real issue is that the 23H2 enablement package is not being installed after the hold was removed on 7 Feb 2024. The Support notice says machines will get the update in 48 hours, and it has been over ten weeks.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/resolved-issues-windows-11-23H2#3217msgdesc
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/resolved-issues-windows-11-23H2
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-11-version-23h2-update-history-59875222-b990-4bd9-932f-91a5954de434
Hi Rahul,
My name is Igor, it's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll try to help you.
You may run setup from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo... page. Or create installation media and run setup.exe file from this media.
Since Windows 11 version 22h2 was released, my Windows 11 pro laptop has failed three times to update itself using the standard Windows 11 Update mechanism. Each time failing in the same way, by downloading, downloading, downloading, updating, updating, updating, then reverting at the end because needed files were missing.
The machine was once on the Beta Insider Channel, but I removed it from that a year ago, and it is now on the Release Preview channel
Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 21H2 Installed 10/7/2021 OS build 22000.917 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22000.917.0 Model Dell 5570, Cindy Crawford edition Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8550U CPU @ 1.80GHz 1.99 GHz RAM 32.0 GB (31.9 GB usable)
What's the best way to make sure this update is successfully installed?
(And yes, retaining all my files and various settings)
Hello,
If you go to Settings > Windows Update, do you see an update that says something like "Windows 11, 23H2/24H2 is available"? If so, download and install 23H2 or 24H2.
The other method is to use one of the three tools Microsoft provides to you to upgrade your PC.
You can use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, the Windows 11 ISO, or the Media Creation Tool. All three of these options will get you to Windows 11, version 24H2.
To use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, download theWindows 11 Installation Assistant and then run it. You should see some prompts telling you about Windows 11 and what it'll install. Let it download and install 24H2.
To use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, and run the MCT. Once it finishes loading, push "Upgrade this PC Now". Let the MCT install the Windows 11 installation files, and then let it check for updates, and then let it install Windows 11.
To use the Windows 11 ISO, download the Windows 11 ISO, (you can find it here, scroll down to where you see ISO for Windows 11 x64 devices), mount it, and then run setup.exe (if you see a UAC prompt, push yes). Follow the prompts on-screen and then let setup.exe update and install Windows 11, 24H2.
All of these steps will eventually get you to 24H2 and will take a while to download and install. It's best to do this at night when you're not doing anything important. Just make sure to save your files before you start.
Hope this helps, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to let me know!
I have a ~1 year old PC. It is currently running 22H2, but I can't upgrade to a newer version. I check for updates and it shows me nothing. I see a message "Get the newer version of Windows to stay up to date.". It seems like I am stuck. This system is very powerful and exceeds the Windows 11 requirements.
I checked your hardware specifications, your hardware is fully Windows 11 compatible, it is strange if you have not been offered the 23H2, 24H2 or 25H2 updates automatically, because your Windows version is so far out of date and no longer supported, the most successful method to install version 25H2 is to use the Windows 11 ISO.
Please ensure you download the ISO in the same language as you use for the Windows UI, follow the steps, this is then not like re-installing Windows, it is just like an update and your personal files, settings and installed software will not be affected.
Click this link:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
to download the Windows 11 ISO
When the ISO file completes downloading
Disconnect from the Internet
Disconnect all external devices with the exception of a mouse or keyboard.
Temporarily disable any 3rd party Anti-virus you may have installed
Then, in Windows File Explorer, double click the ISO and then run Setup.exe and select the Install option.
When asked if you want to install other updates, you must select NO.
Very Important - ensure you select the option to keep your files and apps.
To move from Windows 11 22H2 to Windows 11 25H2 when Windows Update does not offer it, use one of these supported upgrade paths.
- Try normal Windows Update again
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
- Select Check for updates.
- If the device is eligible and ready, Windows 11, version 25H2 (Windows 11 2025 Update) will appear with an option to Download and install.
- Upgrade manually with the Windows 11 ISO (in‑place upgrade) Use this if Windows Update still shows no feature update.
- Go to the Windows 11 download page:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11(from context: same page as used in the in‑place upgrade instructions). - Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO), select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices), choose language, then download the 64-bit ISO.
- After download:
- Right‑click the ISO and select Mount (or double‑click it).
- In the mounted drive, run Setup.exe.
- On the Install Windows 11 screen, choose Change how Setup downloads updates and select Not right now to reduce failures during setup.
- Accept the license terms.
- On Ready to install, select Change what to keep and choose Keep personal files and apps so data and apps are preserved.
- Select Install and let the process complete (the PC will restart several times).
- After setup finishes, sign in and go to Settings > Windows Update and install any remaining cumulative updates. This should bring the device to Windows 11, version 25H2 if the ISO used is the 2025 Update or later.
- Use the 25H2 enablement package (only if already on 24H2) If the device is first upgraded to Windows 11 24H2, 25H2 can be enabled via the 25H2 enablement package (KB5054156):
- Prerequisites (must be met before applying KB5054156):
- Device must already be running Windows 11, version 24H2.
- It must have August 29, 2025—KB5064081 (OS Builds 26100.5074) Preview or a later cumulative update installed.
- Once on 24H2 with the required cumulative update, install KB5054156: Feature update to Windows 11, version 25H2 by using an enablement package.
- Restart when prompted.
- If still no feature updates appear If Windows Update continues to show “You’re up to date” on 22H2 and does not offer newer versions, use the ISO in‑place upgrade method above. This is the same approach recommended when devices are stuck on older builds with no updates showing.
Before any major upgrade, back up important files to external storage or cloud to avoid data loss if something goes wrong.
References:
- Windows 11, version 25H2 update history
- Windows 11, version 25H2 known issues and notifications
- Inside this update
- KB5054156: Feature update to Windows 11, version 25H2 by using an enablement package
- What's new in Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, version 25H2
- How to install 25H2 enablement package? - Microsoft Q&A
- Surface Pro 8 Not Updating to 24H2 - Microsoft Q&A
- win end of life update - Microsoft Q&A
- Mijn windows updates gaan mis - Microsoft Q&A








