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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Microsoft is step by step rolling out Home windows 11 25H2.
- You may look ahead to the replace to reach, or manually set up it.
- The 2025 model tightens safety and tweaks sure options.
Microsoft usually begins rolling out its annual Home windows replace round this time of 12 months, and meaning the 2025 model is now formally afoot. On Tuesday, the corporate announced the availability of Windows 11 25H2 to each people and organizations. This 12 months, nevertheless, the replace is designed differently than in the past.
Home windows 11 25H2 is extra compact and installs faster than earlier annual updates. That is as a result of Microsoft swaps out solely the information that want updating reasonably than changing all system information. The replace additionally adopts the know-how utilized in common Home windows updates, which suggests solely a single restart is required to get you up and working once more.
Additionally: Your complete Windows 11 upgrade guide: Everything to know – before you ditch Windows 10
Additional, Home windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 share the identical code base and can obtain the identical updates transferring ahead. The one distinction between the 2 is that sure options will likely be disabled within the 2024 model however enabled within the 2025 version. Sharing the identical code additionally implies that Home windows 11 25H2 must be extra steady and dependable than the 24H2 model.
What is going to you discover in Home windows 11 25H2?
One key enchancment is within the space of safety.
“As a part of the Microsoft Secure Future Initiative commitment, Home windows continues iterating and bettering its safety features and posture to assist shield prospects from safety threats in our software program and companies,” John Cable, VP of Product Administration for Home windows Servicing and Supply, stated in a Tuesday weblog put up. “Model 25H2 contains important developments in construct and runtime vulnerability detection, coupled with AI-assisted secure coding. We have designed model 25H2 to deal with and mitigate safety threats in adherence to a sturdy security development lifecycle (SDL) policy and requirements.”
Additionally: This new Windows 11 trick uses AI to tame your chaotic photo library – how to try it now
Different options which have slowly made their strategy to Home windows 11 24H2 will all seem within the 2025 model, in line with Microsoft’s page on What’s new in Windows 11, version 25H2. These embrace help for Wi-Fi 7, Quick Machine Recovery to resolve boot issues, tweaks to the Taskbar, and enhancements to File Explorer and Job Supervisor. The distinction is that these modifications had been step by step doled out to Home windows 11 24H2. Replace to 25H2, they usually’ll all be prepared and ready so that you can attempt.
By updating to Home windows 11 25H2, you additionally prolong the help window provided by Microsoft. Home windows 11 24H2 help ends in October 2026, however help for 25H2 will final till October 2027.
Additionally: Not a fan of Windows 11? Here’s how I made my system look more like Linux or MacOS
Better of all, the 2025 model ought to keep away from the bugs and glitches that Microsoft and Home windows customers ran into with the 2024 version. Nearly from the get-go, Home windows 11 24H2 was saddled with one problem after another. And in making an attempt to repair one set of bugs by way of its month-to-month updates, Microsoft usually introduced yet more bugs. After lastly resolving many of the points, the 2024 model is now relatively stable, although it took extra effort and time than it ought to have.
Identified bugs to look at for
Nevertheless, that does not imply Home windows 11 25H2 goes to be bug-free. Already, two points have popped up that would trigger complications for some customers.
As described on Microsoft’s page for Windows 11, version 25H2 known issues and notifications, one glitch could prevent you from playing protected content by way of digital TV and Blu-Ray or DVD purposes. This one was partly resolved, however Microsoft says it is engaged on a everlasting repair.
Affecting solely enterprise environments, the other bug might trigger an error if somebody tries to put in an msu file from a community share that incorporates a number of information of the identical kind. Microsoft says it is engaged on a decision that ought to arrive in a future Home windows replace.
The best way to get Home windows 11 25H2
If you wish to snag the 2025 replace, you might have just a few choices. First, be sure to’ve up to date your Home windows 11 PC to the 24H2 model. Then head to Settings, choose Home windows Replace, and activate the swap to get the newest updates as quickly as they’re out there. Click on the button to test for updates. If the 25H2 taste is accessible on your PC, you’ll be able to obtain and set up it.
Additionally: How to clear your Windows 11 PC cache (and why it makes such a big difference)
Nevertheless, since this can be a gradual rollout, the replace could not but current itself to you. In that case, you’ll be able to both wait till it does pop up, or you’ll be able to manually seize it. For that, browse to Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page. This web page offers you 3 ways to put in the replace.
With the Home windows Set up Assistant, you are capable of set up the replace in your present PC. With the Home windows 11 Set up Media, you’ll be able to create a bootable USB or DVD with the set up package deal to put in it on a special PC. And with the Home windows 11 Disk Picture, you’ll be able to generate an ISO file which you could run anyplace. I usually go for the ISO file as it is the quickest and easiest technique.
Additionally: This free tool installs Windows 11 on unsupported PCs – without any bloatware
After the set up, your PC will reboot. Signal again in. Go to Settings, choose System, after which click on About. Scroll all the way down to the Home windows specs part, and it is best to see 25H2 listed because the model.
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