How to force the Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2) on your computer

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Yes, you can download and install the new version of Windows 11 on your PC, and here are four ways to do it.

Windows 11 2024 Update install
Windows 11 2024 Update install (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
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The Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2) is slowly rolling out for compatible devices, and if you want to install it as soon as possible, Microsoft offers different methods to proceed with the upgrade process.

It's important to note that since this is technically a new version of the operating system, this upgrade requires complete reinstallation. However, the setup should preserve your files, settings, and applications.

Currently, the company is gradually making available the new version of Windows 11 to devices known to have a good upgrade experience. Once the feature update is proven to be more reliable, the rollout will be more broadly available. 

Typically, computers without compatibility issues will receive the installation notification almost immediately after the official release date, but it always takes time to reach every hardware and software configuration. 

If you want to upgrade without waiting, you can force the installation through the Windows Update settings, the Installation Assistant tool, the Media Creation Tool, or the ISO file.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to get the Windows 11 2024 Update installed on your computer.

Disclaimer

Important: The Windows 11 2024 Update has become partially available on June 18, 2024, for Copilot+ PCs, but it doesn't include all the intended features, including Windows Recall, as it has been postponed until further notice. On October 1, 2024, the feature update becomes more broadly available for existing devices. As a result, some of the new features and changes may not be available to everyone on day one. Also, some features (especially AI features) are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs to be available. Finally, keep in mind that the Media Creation Tool, Installation Assistant, and ISO file may take some time to become available.

How to install Windows 11 2024 Update via the Settings app

To force version 24H2 on your computer running version 23H2 or 22H2 through Settings, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Windows Update.
  3. Turn on the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle switch.
  4. Click the Check for updates button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Click the "Download & install" button (if applicable).
  2. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the setup will continue with the installation, and the computer will need to restart to apply the feature update. 

If, after checking for updates, the new version isn't available, it's likely that the operating system is still not ready for your hardware and software configuration.

How to install Windows 11 2024 Update via the Installation Assistant

To get Windows 11 version 24H2 with the Installation Assistant (when available), use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft support website.
  2. Click the Download Now button under the "Windows 11 Installation Assistant" section.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Double-click the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file to launch the tool.
  2. Click the Accept and install button.

(Image credit: Future)

After you complete the steps, the assistant will download the system files and install the new version of Windows 11, preserving your apps, settings, and files.

How to install Windows 11 2024 Update via the Media Creation Tool

Although you can't use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade your computer, you can use it to create a USB bootable media that you can use to launch the setup from the desktop experience.

To install the 2024 Update on your device with the Media Creation Tool (when available), use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft support website.
  2. Click the Download Now button under the "Create Windows 11 installation media" section.

(Image credit: Future)
  1. Double-click the MediaCrationToolW11.exe file to launch the tool.
  2. Click the Accept button.
  3. Click the Next button.
  4. Select the installation language and edition (if applicable).
  5. Click the Next button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  • Quick note: You will need to connect a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage. Any data in the flash drive will be erased through this process, as such make sure to back up any important information on it.
  1. Select the "USB flash drive" option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Select the flash drive from the list.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Click the Finish button.
  3. Open File Explorer.
  4. Click on This PC from the left pane.
  5. Open the USB drive with the Windows 11 2024 Update setup.
  6. Double-click the setup.exe file to launch the setup.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
  3. Click the Install button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Once you complete the steps, the setup will continue with the feature update installation.

How to install Windows 11 2024 Update via ISO file

If you don't want to download the Media Creation Tool, you can download the ISO file directly to upgrade to the Windows 11 2024 Update.

To use the official ISO file to install version 24H2 on your computer (when available), use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft support website.
  2. Select the Windows 11 option under the "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)" section
  3. Click the Download button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Select the ISO language.
  2. Click the Confirm button.

Windows 11 2024 Update ISO language

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Click the 64-bit Download button to save the ISO file to the computer.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Right-click the image file and select the Mount option.
  2. Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane (if applicable).
  3. Double-click the setup.exe file to launch the setup manually.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
  3. Click the Install button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

After you complete the steps, the setup will apply the Windows 11 version 24H2 on your laptop or desktop computer. 

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources: 

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.

8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • kahaips
    All I can download is Windows 11 23H2.
    Reply
  • AgentDarkFury
    Important: The Windows 11 2024 Update is expected to become partially available on June 18, 2024, for Copilot+ PCs, but it won't include all the intended features, including Windows Recall, as it has been postponed until further notice. In September or October, the feature update will become more broadly available for existing devices. As a result, some of the new features and changes may not be available to everyone on day one. Also, some features (especially AI features) may require new hardware to be available.

    Mauro Huculak hid this way below his article, typical clickbait move!
    Reply
  • Xessive
    Yep, even the ISO is Windows 11 23H2.
    Reply
  • dougpaw57
    This post gets re-hashed every time there's a new Windows release. Also, a fact that everyone seems to ignore every time is that Windows on ARM can ONLY be upgraded through Windows Update. The Windows Installation Assistant and ISOs don't work, and are never released for ARM versions.
    Reply
  • computerdave911
    Windows Central said:
    Yes, you can download and install the new version of Windows 11 on your PC, and in this guide, I will show you how to do it through the Windows Update settings, Installation Assistant, Media Creation Tool, and even with the official ISO file.

    How to force the Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2) on your computer : Read more
    I dont know who works here but this article is 100% incorrect,24H2 is released to the public but only on Copilot+ PCs (for now)
    Reply
  • dougpaw57
    computerdave911 said:
    I dont know who works here but this article is 100% incorrect,24H2 is released to the public but only on Copilot+ PCs (for now)
    Interesting, they deleted the article and replaced it with one written by Zac Bowden. The new article correctly states that the only way to get 24H2 is through the Windows Insider Program.
    Reply
  • dougpaw57
    Stop re-hashing this worthless article. The only version available on the Windows 11 Update Assistant website is 23H2.
    Reply
  • dougpaw57
    OK, so you can now download the 24H2 update for x86 processors, but the Update Assistant does not work on ARM processors. Looks like you just have to wait for it to show up in Microsoft Update.
    Reply