Windows 11 24H2 will force upgrade PCs on versions 23H2, 22H2

Microsoft has commenced the force upgrade of Windows 11 24H2 on eligible devices running versions 23H2 and 22H2. Although the “2024 Update” was originally released on October 1, 2024, the update was an optional install for compatible devices. However, starting January 21, 2025, the company started the automatic rollout phase to version 24H2 through the “Windows Update” settings.

The dashboard health website’s status note reveals that on January 21, “devices running Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, versions 23H2 and 22H2 that are not managed by IT departments will receive the update automatically.”

However, the company won’t automatically update managed devices running the Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions. Also, it’s worth considering that version 23H2 is expected to reach the end of support on November 11, 2025, and version 22H2 has already reached its supported cycle on October 8, 2024.

The end of support means that the computer will stop receiving security updates, and Microsoft will stop providing any type of support after the specified date.

If you are ready to upgrade to version 24H2, you can open Settings > Windows Update, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch, click the “Check for updates” button, and click the “Download & install” button.

Once the update has been downloaded, the computer must restart to upgrade version 23H2 or 22H2 to version 24H2.

It’s important to note that despite the known issues, the latest release of Windows 11 brings a lot of new changes and features that enhance the overall experience.

If you plan to upgrade, I recommend creating a full backup of the system in case something goes wrong and you need to roll back.

It’s important to note that automatically installing the new version doesn’t mean your device will upgrade immediately. Instead, the company plans to roll out the update gradually, ensuring that only devices with a good upgrade experience will receive the update first.

Microsoft also notes that this rollout schedule doesn’t apply to Copilot+ PCs as they will continue to receive new features gradually. If you want to access some of the AI features, such as Clik to Do and Recall, you will have to enroll your computer in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program.