# How to upgrade Windows 11 from 24H2 to 26H2 when the update doesn't arrive

> AI Release · @ai_release1 · https://ai-release.org/guides/kak-obnovit-windows-11-s-24h2-do-26h2-esli-obnovlenie-n_en.html

If your PC is already running Windows 11 24H2 but Settings > Windows Update keeps saying "You're up to date" and never offers 26H2, the problem is almost never your hardware — it is the staged rollout, a stuck update cache, or a missing prerequisite. This guide walks you through checking your device, forcing a fresh update scan, and, if that fails, upgrading with the official Installation Assistant or ISO while keeping your files and apps. It is written for a PC on Windows 11 24H2 that already meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements and where you have administrator rights.

## Requirements and preparation
![Illustration: Requirements and preparation](https://ai-release.org/guides/img/kak-obnovit-windows-11-s-24h2-do-26h2-esli-obnovlenie-n-en-1.jpg)

- Windows 11 version 24H2 installed and activated (check with `winver`).
- An account with administrator rights — you will stop and start system services.
- Enough free space on `C:`. As a rule of thumb keep at least 20 GB free: Windows downloads the update, unpacks it, and keeps a copy of your old installation for rollback.
- A stable internet connection. Turn off "Metered connection" for your Wi-Fi, otherwise Windows delays large downloads.
- TPM 2.0 enabled and Secure Boot turned on. These are standard Windows 11 requirements, and 26H2 will not be offered if either is off.
- A backup of important files, plus about an hour of time and the charger plugged in.

Quick pre-flight checklist:

- [ ] `winver` shows 24H2
- [ ] You can open PowerShell as administrator
- [ ] At least 20 GB free on `C:`
- [ ] TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are on
- [ ] Important files copied to an external drive or cloud

## Step-by-step instructions
![Illustration: Step-by-step instructions](https://ai-release.org/guides/img/kak-obnovit-windows-11-s-24h2-do-26h2-esli-obnovlenie-n-en-2.jpg)

1. Confirm your exact version. Press `Win + R`, type `winver`, press Enter.

**Example:** the About Windows box shows "Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.xxxx)". If it already says 26H2, you are done — nothing to fix.

This matters because every step below targets 24H2 specifically; on older builds the menu paths differ slightly.

2. Check TPM and Secure Boot. Run `tpm.msc` (Win + R → `tpm.msc`) and look at the status line. Then run `msinfo32` and find "Secure Boot State" in System Summary.

**Example:** `tpm.msc` says "The TPM is ready for use" and `msinfo32` shows "Secure Boot State: On". If TPM says "not present" or Secure Boot is "Off", enable them in BIOS/UEFI first — Windows Update silently withholds 26H2 otherwise.

3. Free up disk space. Open Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations, or run `cleanmgr` from Win + R and tick "Windows Update Cleanup" and "Temporary files".

**Example:** after cleanup, Settings > System > Storage shows "42 GB free". Windows needs that headroom to stage the upgrade.

4. Trigger a manual update scan. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click "Check for updates". Also turn on the toggle "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available".

**Example:** the page should change from "You're up to date" to "Update to Windows 11, version 26H2 is available" with a Download & install button. If nothing changes after 2–3 minutes, continue.

5. Reset the Windows Update components. This is the step that fixes most "update never appears" cases. Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

```powershell
# Elevated PowerShell (Run as administrator)
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
net stop usosvc

Rename-Item C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Rename-Item C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptsvc
net start usosvc

USOClient.exe StartInteractiveScan
```

**Example output:** each `net stop` line answers "The Windows Update service was stopped successfully." The two `Rename-Item` commands print nothing on success. The final `USOClient.exe` line also prints nothing — it just kicks off a new scan in the background.

Why this works: `SoftwareDistribution` is the folder where Windows Update caches downloads. If a cached file is corrupted, Windows thinks the update is already handled and never offers it again. Renaming the folder forces a clean download, and `USOClient` (Update Session Orchestrator Client) re-queues the scan immediately.

6. Run the built-in troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.

**Example:** the wizard finishes with "Windows Update troubleshooter — Fixed: Windows Update components must be repaired." Return to Windows Update and click Check for updates again.

7. If 26H2 still does not appear, install it with the official Installation Assistant. Download it from Microsoft's Windows 11 download page, run it, and click "Install now".

**Example:** the assistant shows "Windows 11 Installation Assistant — Installing Windows 11, version 26H2" with a percentage counter. It downloads, then asks to restart. Files, apps and settings are kept.

This bypasses the staged rollout entirely: the assistant always pulls the newest publicly released build instead of waiting for your device to be selected.

8. Last resort — clean upgrade from an official ISO. Download the Windows 11 ISO from the same page, right-click the file and choose Mount, then run `setup.exe` from the mounted drive and select "Keep personal files and apps".

**Example:** `D:\setup.exe` runs, the first screen asks about downloads, and the "Ready to install" screen lists "Keep personal files and apps". Full instructions, including checksum verification, are in our [step-by-step Windows 11 26H2 installation guide](https://ai-release.org/guides/kak-ustanovit-windows-11-26h2-poshagovaya-instruktsiya.html?utm_source=tg&utm_medium=channel&utm_campaign=guide_inline&utm_content=guide_to_guide).

9. Verify the result. Run `winver` again.

**Example:** the box now reads "Version 26H2". Then open Settings > Windows Update once more and confirm it says "You're up to date".

## Possible problems and solutions
![Illustration: Possible problems and solutions](https://ai-release.org/guides/img/kak-obnovit-windows-11-s-24h2-do-26h2-esli-obnovlenie-n-en-3.jpg)

**Symptom: "This PC doesn't currently meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11" during the ISO upgrade.** Your TPM or Secure Boot is off, or the drive is formatted MBR. Fix: run `tpm.msc` and `msinfo32` again, enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI, save and reboot. If TPM is still missing, check whether it is disabled under a "Security" or "Trusted Computing" BIOS tab.

**Symptom: update stuck at "Downloading 0%" or "Pending restart" for hours.** A leftover update session is blocking the queue. Fix: repeat step 5 (stop the services, rename `SoftwareDistribution` and `catroot2`, restart the services), then reboot and click Check for updates. Do not just keep pressing the button — the cached session will not clear itself.

**Symptom: error 0x80070002, 0x800f0922 or 0x80073712 at 90–99%.** Usually disk space, a third-party antivirus, or a VPN interfering. Fix: confirm at least 20 GB free on `C:`, temporarily disable third-party antivirus, disconnect any VPN or proxy, then run the upgrade again. Repair the system files first with `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth` followed by `sfc /scannow` in an elevated PowerShell. If errors appear after the upgrade instead, see our [guide to common Windows 11 26H2 problems after the update](https://ai-release.org/guides/windows-11-26h2-chastye-problemy-posle-obnovleniya-i-ka.html?utm_source=tg&utm_medium=channel&utm_campaign=guide_inline&utm_content=guide_to_guide).

## FAQ

**Why is 26H2 not showing in Windows Update even though my PC is compatible?**
Because Microsoft ships feature updates in a staged rollout — a phased release. Devices are selected in batches over weeks, so a compatible PC can simply not be picked yet. The Installation Assistant in step 7 skips the queue.

**Will I lose my files and programs when upgrading from 24H2 to 26H2?**
No, as long as you use the "Keep personal files and apps" option in the Installation Assistant or ISO setup. Still make a backup first — a power cut or a bad driver during the upgrade is rare, but the old installation is only kept for a limited rollback window.

**How long does the upgrade take?**
Typically 30 to 90 minutes on an SSD, most of it unattended. The machine restarts several times and may sit on a black screen with a spinning circle — that is normal. Keep the charger connected and do not force a shutdown.

**Do I need a product key or a Microsoft account?**
No. If Windows 11 24H2 is already activated, the digital licence carries over to 26H2 automatically. A local account works fine for the upgrade itself; a Microsoft account is only needed for some optional cloud features.

**Can I roll back if something breaks?**
Yes. Within the rollback window, go to Settings > System > Recovery and choose "Go back". After that window closes, the previous installation is deleted and you would need a clean install.