Microsoft has officially released the ISO media for Windows 11 version 25H2, signaling that the update is nearing its general availability phase in the upcoming weeks. Starting today, users can upgrade or install this latest version of Windows 11 using the official installation media.
Availability and Features
The ISOs can be downloaded from the Windows Insider Program website, and they are expected to be production-ready, making them safe for installation on non-Insider PCs. Initially, Microsoft had planned to release the ISO media a week earlier but postponed the launch for reasons that remain unspecified.
Windows 11 version 25H2 has been undergoing testing with Insiders since June, gradually progressing through the Insider Dev, Beta, and Release Preview rings. With the ISO media now accessible, the next step is the rollout of general availability. Microsoft is poised to begin distributing version 25H2 through Windows Update shortly.
It’s important to note that Windows 11 version 25H2 will not introduce new features beyond what is currently available in version 24H2. Both versions share the same platform release and will receive updates together, meaning that any features developed for Windows 11 will be applicable to both versions. This eliminates the necessity for exclusive features in version 25H2.
However, version 25H2 does reset the support timeline, offering 24 months of support for Windows 11 Home and Pro editions, and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions, extending support over version 24H2, which is already a year into its lifecycle. For users looking to maximize their support duration, updating to version 25H2 upon its general release is advisable.
When version 25H2 becomes generally available, it will be delivered via an enablement package that applies to version 24H2. This means that the transition will be swift, requiring only a few minutes to download and install, along with a brief reboot to complete the upgrade. Users can expect no compatibility issues between the two releases, ensuring that all applications and games will function seamlessly post-upgrade.
If you prefer not to wait for the update to arrive through Windows Update and wish to download the official ISO media for Windows 11 version 25H2 immediately, follow these steps:
- Select the “Windows 11 Insider Preview (Release Preview) Build 26200” option from the dropdown menu.
- Choose your preferred language from the 24 available options.
- Click on download.
Keep in mind that the link generated for the ISO will only be valid for 24 hours, so ensure you are prepared to download the media when you initiate the link generation.
The ISO media can be utilized to perform an in-place upgrade of your existing installation or to create bootable USB media for a fresh installation of the operating system on an empty drive. To start an in-place upgrade, simply open the ISO and run the setup.exe program located in the root of the media.
What are your thoughts on Windows 11 version 25H2? Let us know in the comments!
Microsoft releases official ISOs for Windows 11 version 25H2 after short delay — upgrade to the next release now
Microsoft has officially released the ISO media for Windows 11 version 25H2, signaling that the update is nearing its general availability phase in the upcoming weeks. Starting today, users can upgrade or install this latest version of Windows 11 using the official installation media.
Availability and Features
The ISOs can be downloaded from the Windows Insider Program website, and they are expected to be production-ready, making them safe for installation on non-Insider PCs. Initially, Microsoft had planned to release the ISO media a week earlier but postponed the launch for reasons that remain unspecified.
Windows 11 version 25H2 has been undergoing testing with Insiders since June, gradually progressing through the Insider Dev, Beta, and Release Preview rings. With the ISO media now accessible, the next step is the rollout of general availability. Microsoft is poised to begin distributing version 25H2 through Windows Update shortly.
It’s important to note that Windows 11 version 25H2 will not introduce new features beyond what is currently available in version 24H2. Both versions share the same platform release and will receive updates together, meaning that any features developed for Windows 11 will be applicable to both versions. This eliminates the necessity for exclusive features in version 25H2.
However, version 25H2 does reset the support timeline, offering 24 months of support for Windows 11 Home and Pro editions, and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions, extending support over version 24H2, which is already a year into its lifecycle. For users looking to maximize their support duration, updating to version 25H2 upon its general release is advisable.
When version 25H2 becomes generally available, it will be delivered via an enablement package that applies to version 24H2. This means that the transition will be swift, requiring only a few minutes to download and install, along with a brief reboot to complete the upgrade. Users can expect no compatibility issues between the two releases, ensuring that all applications and games will function seamlessly post-upgrade.
If you prefer not to wait for the update to arrive through Windows Update and wish to download the official ISO media for Windows 11 version 25H2 immediately, follow these steps:
Keep in mind that the link generated for the ISO will only be valid for 24 hours, so ensure you are prepared to download the media when you initiate the link generation.
The ISO media can be utilized to perform an in-place upgrade of your existing installation or to create bootable USB media for a fresh installation of the operating system on an empty drive. To start an in-place upgrade, simply open the ISO and run the setup.exe program located in the root of the media.
What are your thoughts on Windows 11 version 25H2? Let us know in the comments!