Why Microsoft is forcing Windows 11 25H2 update on all eligible PCs
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- Microsoft is forcing eligible Windows 11 PCs to update to 25H2.
- Support ends for Windows 11 24H2 in Octoberso you'll need 25H2.
- Windows 11 25H2 is stableso there's no reason not to update.
Are you still running the 2024 version of Windows 11? If sothe 2025 flavor is headed your way. In a recent status updatethe software giant said that all eligible computers running the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 24H2 will automatically receive the 25H2 update. No action is required on your part. You can postpone the updatebut you can't stop it.
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To determine whether your PC is eligibleMicrosoft is using machine learning. OKand what does that mean?
In a Microsoft Build game plan for Windows 11the company explained that its machine learning uses a combination of testingfeedbackresponses from its partnersdiagnostic dataand real-life insights. Based on the resultsthe update gets aimed at PCs that are least likely to run into compatibility issues or other hiccups. PCs that could bump into trouble with the update will be put on a wait list until the issues are resolved.
Required for security reasons
The major reason for the update is security. Support for Windows 11 24H2 ends on October 13so that version will no longer receive security patches beyond that date. Before thenMicrosoft wants to ensure that all Windows 11 PCs are running the same supported edition to continue to get the latest patches.
The mandatory update applies only to individual PCs running Windows 11 Home or Pro. Computers used in organizations and managed by IT departments are excluded since IT departments typically manage these types of rollouts.
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To see if your PC qualifieshead to Settingsselect Windows Updateand click the button to check for updates. If you're still on Windows 11 24H2 and your system is eligiblethe 2025 update will automatically be downloaded and installed. But since this is an automatic updateyou'll eventually get it without manually checking for it.
If you want to postpone the update for any reasongo to Settings and select Windows Update. Click the down arrow next to the menu for Pause updates. You can then pause them for one weektwo weeksor three weeks. But you're only delaying the inevitable.
Any reason to avoid the 25H2 update?
Is there any reason you'd want to avoid the 25H2 update? Nonot as long as your PC is eligible. It's true that Microsoft doesn't have a stellar track record with Windows updateseither the annual ones or the monthly Patch Tuesday variety. Windows 11 24H2 was beset by a host of bugsmany of which took months to fix. But with the 2025 updatethe company wisely made a few changes.
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Windows 11 25H2 is more compact and installs more quickly than previous annual updates. That's because Microsoft swaps out only the files that need updatingrather than replacing all system files. Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 also share the same code base. That means the initial 2025 version has been more stable and reliable than its predecessorwhich took several months to shed many of its problems.
You can easily see which flavor of Windows 11 you're running. Go to Settingsselect Systemand then click About. Scroll down the screen to the section for Windows specifications. The version line will indicate which annual update is installed.