In this guide, I will show you how to force upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 manually. At the time of writing, 25H2 is available in the Release Preview Channel for Windows Insiders. Unlike the 24H2 feature update, 25H2 is delivered as an enablement package (eKB), whereas 24H2 was a major release that introduced many significant changes to the OS.
When a feature update is delivered as an eKB, the download is usually small and typically requires only one restart to complete. 25H2 build (26200.5074) release also includes some feature removals, such as PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC. The good news for Enterprise and Education devices is that you can now remove pre-installed Microsoft Store apps using Group Policy and Intune such as Xbox, Feedback hub, Sticky notes, Clipchamp, Copilot etc. For more information about 25H2, refer to the techcommunity link: Get ready for Windows 11, version 25H2.
Contents
Prerequisites
- Confirm Windows 11 requirements: CPU, RAM, storage, UEFI + Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. If TPM/Secure Boot are disabled, enable them in firmware. Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements.
- 25H2 is an eKB over 24H2. If you are on 24H2, you get a quick flip to 25H2. If you are on 23H2 or Windows 10, first move to Windows 11 24H2, then to 25H2.
Method 1: Upgrade via Windows Update
You can upgrade your Windows 11 device to 25H2 feature update via Windows update. To install, first register for the Windows Insider Program, then link your PC to that account so you can receive Insider builds. Let’s check the steps.
Important: This is pre-release software. Do not install on production PCs. Your device must meet Windows 11 hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU).
- Join Windows 11 Insider Program (Recommended: Join beta or Release preview update channel).
- Go to Settings app > Windows Update > Enable the toggle switch Get the latest updates as soon as they’are available and click on Check for updates.
- You should see Windows 11, version 25H2 offered as an optional update. Click Download & install. If you are not offered Windows 11, 25H2 and instead get the option to download and install Windows insider build, then go ahead and install it on your computer. The build will include the latest feature update, including 25H2.
- It will be a small update and requires one restart to complete the upgrade process.
- After the restart, confirm the upgrade completed successfully by pressing Win + R, typing
winver, pressing Enter, and checking that it shows Windows 11, Version 25H2.
Method 2: Upgrade using the Official Insider ISO
Use this option if Windows Update does not show 25H2, or you prefer a media-based installation.
- Download Insider ISO: Insider_preview_ISO.
- Mount the ISO and run setup.exe to being the installation.
Method 3: Upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 via Intune
Follow below steps to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 via Intune:
- Sign in to the Intune admin center > Devices > Windows updates > Update ring.
- Configure a new update ring that will target your pilot/test devices for exploring the pre-release builds. Do not modify production update ring.
- Enable pre-release builds: Enable
- Select pre-release channel: 25H2 is available in the Release Preview channel, you can also select Beta channel as well and still get 25H2 update offer. For guidance on which channel to select, refer to the link: Join Windows 11 Insider.
Method 4: Upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 via GPO
Another way to get Windows 11 25H2 right now is to create a Group Policy and link it to the workstations on which you want to test out the new Win11 builds. Follow below steps:
- Open GPMC console on a domain controller or a Windows 11 PC (requires RSAT tools).
- Create a new GPO and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update. On the right-hand side, find Manage preview builds. Double-click on it and select Enabled, Then select an update channel. For guidance on which channel to select, refer to the link: Join Windows 11 Insider.
Troubleshooting
If you are unable to install 25H2 on your Windows 11 device. Perform below checks to fix the issues:
- Check if you have Joined to Windows Insider program and linked it Windows Insider account on your PC. refer to the link: Join Windows 11 Insider.
- Check the Settings app > Windows updates > Get the latest updates as soon as they’are available toggle is switched On?
- Check Hardware requirements/specs: Go back to Prerequisites section of this post.
- Organization blocked 25H2? Check if your IT admin has disabled preview builds via a GPO or Intune policy.
- Check Windows 11 build Info using below PowerShell
Get-ComputerInfo -Property WindowsProductName, WindowsVersion, OsBuildNumber