Download and install Windows 11 version 25H2

Microsoft is preparing to release Windows 11 version 25H2, this year's feature update for its operating system. As usual, the update will be released in different stages over several weeks or even months, with general availability expected closer to the end of 2025.

Windows 11 build 25H2 is based on build 24H2 and unlike the latter, it is not a full system upgrade. The update will come as an activation package. It should be noted that most of the features of build 25H2 are already available in build 24H2, but they require activation.

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Microsoft is therefore expected to release Windows 11 version 25H2 in stages:

Stage 1: Windows 11 version 25H2 is available in the Release Preview Channel, which is the final preview stage before general availability. At this point, the update is mostly complete, but the company is still adding small updates to address bugs. It's unlikely that you'll encounter any major bugs or issues, but it's still possible.

Stage 2: Windows 11 build 25H2 is available as an optional update. At this stage, the update is only available to those who manually check Windows Update. You can manually get the update from Settings > Windows Update. This option is more secure than the Release Preview Channel, but it is still technically a preview update.

Stage 3: The update is gradually rolling out to all users. At this point, there's nothing you can do, as Windows Update will automatically roll you to version 25H2. This is the safest option for most users, as it gives Microsoft more time to fix bugs that appeared in the previous stages.

The easiest solution: In-place upgrade and activation packages

If you don't want to join the Insider program, you can run an in-place upgrade. Technically, it's a simpler method, as all you need is a Windows 11 image from Microsoft.

Currently, official Windows 11 25H2 images are available to the Insider program (you need a Microsoft account to access them). However, you can also download official non-insider ISOs, which will be publicly available once the update is officially released on the “Download Windows 11 website” and in the Media Creation Tool app. These images are already on Microsoft’s servers, but are not publicly available through MCT or the official website.

How to download them:

On the official Windows Insider Preview downloads page, scroll down to the “Select edition” drop-down menu.

Alternatively, you can obtain the non-insider ISOs using the links in this article.

Select “Windows 11 Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel)—Build 26200” and Click Confirm.

Select the language from the drop-down list and click Confirm.

Then click on 64-bit Download.

Once the file has finished downloading, double-click it to attach it.
Run the setup file.
Follow the on-screen instructions to update your computer.

Activation packages

If you already have Windows 11 version 24H2 with the latest cumulative updates, you can technically access Windows 11 version 25H2 right now with the activation package. As we said earlier, Windows 11 version 25H2 is based on version 24H2 and accessing it only requires a small update package. All you have to do is download the package for your platform, run it, and restart your computer:

• Windows 11 version 25H2 enablement package – x64
• Windows 11 version 25H2 enablement package – arm64

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