how can i upgrade from windows 11 22h2

Question

How can I upgrade my laptop from windows 11 home version 22h2

Answer 1

Hello,

Version 22H2 has reached end of life in Oct last year. So going through Windows Update is not possible anymore, that's the whole point of "end of life", meaning updates are no longer pushed via Windows Settings > Windows Updates.

You may or may not be able to use the Installation Assistant tool to upgrade. If you missing one or two versions, typically the tool can help you upgrade, but if the gap is too great, a clean install is required.

Try the tool first: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

First download on the page, download and run it, choose upgrade.

If it won't work, you need to do clean install. I will attach the instruction in case you need it - backup your files first.

The following steps should be done on a working Windows computer:

Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 click on the "download now" button under "Create Windows 11 Installation Media"

Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC."

Choose "USB flash drive" as the media to use for the installation and select "Next."

Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space to your computer.

Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then select "Next."

The tool will then download the required files and create the installation media.

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Now these steps will  be done on your problematic computer:

Go to the computer's BIOS boot menu to have it boot from the USB drive.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11, making sure to choose "Custom install" and select the option to delete all existing partitions.

Once the installation is complete, you'll have a clean installation of Windows 11 on your computer.

Answer 2

To upgrade a laptop from Windows 11 Home version 22H2 to a newer supported version of Windows 11, use these supported paths:

1. Use Windows Update (recommended)
   1. Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
   2. Select Check for updates.
   3. If the device is eligible, Windows Update will offer the latest Windows 11 feature update (for example, 23H2, 24H2, or later). Follow the on‑screen instructions to download and install.
   4. If prompted, schedule the installation for a time when the device is not in use.
   Windows Update will indicate if the PC is ready to upgrade and guide through the free upgrade process when a newer Windows 11 version is available.
2. Use Windows 11 Installation Assistant or installation media If Windows Update does not show a newer version but the device meets the minimum system requirements for the newer release:
   1. Confirm the device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.
   2. Use one of the methods in Ways to install Windows 11:
      • Windows 11 Installation Assistant (in-place upgrade keeping files and apps), or
      • Windows 11 installation media (USB/ISO) to perform an in-place upgrade.
   3. Boot or run Windows 11 Setup from the installation media and follow the on‑screen instructions. Choose the option to keep personal files and apps if offered and desired.
3. If Windows 11 is not yet installed or needs a clean install If performing a clean installation instead of an in-place upgrade:
   1. Back up all important files (for example, to OneDrive or external storage).
   2. Create Windows 11 installation media as described in Ways to install Windows 11.
   3. Boot from the USB and complete Windows 11 Setup. This installs a fresh copy of Windows 11 and overwrites the existing installation.
4. If upgrading from an unsupported or very old Windows version For devices not currently on a supported Windows version, there is no free upgrade path directly to Windows 11. In that case, purchase and install a full version of Windows 11 Home or Pro, or consider a new PC with Windows 11 preinstalled.

After upgrading, return to Settings > Windows Update and install all available cumulative updates so the device is on the latest build (for example, 23H2 or 24H2 as offered).

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References:

• Making the transition to a new era of computing
• Ways to install Windows 11
• What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?
• Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ
• Windows 11 release information
• win end of life update - Microsoft Q&A