Quick answer: Windows 11 version 26H2 (the Windows 11 2026 Update) was released on September 29, 2026 and is available for all eligible PCs. On 24H2 or 25H2 it’s a small enablement package that needs one restart: open Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, then Download & install under Windows 11, version 26H2 is available. Older versions, including Windows 10, need a full upgrade with Microsoft’s Installation Assistant or installation media.
In this guide
Check which version you have
Press Win + R, type winver and press Enter, or open Settings > System > About. The build number tells you where you are:
| Build | Version |
|---|---|
| 26300.x | Windows 11, version 26H2 (you already have it) |
| 26200.x | Windows 11, version 25H2 |
| 26100.x | Windows 11, version 24H2 |
| 22631.x or 19045.x | Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10 (full upgrade needed) |
If you’re on 24H2 Home or Pro, this matters: Microsoft’s release information page shows that 24H2 Home and Pro have reached end of servicing, which happened in October 2026, so those PCs no longer get monthly security updates until they move to a newer version.
Install 26H2 from Windows Update
Microsoft’s KB5121794 explains that 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 share the same core files. The 26H2 features are already on your PC, switched off, and the enablement package acts as a master switch to turn them on. It needs the September 22, 2026 preview update (KB5124010) or any later cumulative update first. Windows Update handles that order for you.
- Save your work and back up anything important. The update keeps your files and apps, but a backup is a good habit before any version change.
- Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Install any cumulative update it offers first and restart if asked.
- When Windows 11, version 26H2 is available appears, select Download & install.
- Restart when prompted. Microsoft says only a single restart is needed.
- Run
winveragain and check that the build starts with 26300.
To be offered new versions as early as possible, turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available on the same Windows Update page.
If 26H2 isn’t offered
- Make sure the latest cumulative update is installed, since the enablement package depends on it. See how to force Windows Update to check for updates.
- On a work or school PC, your organization may hold feature updates back through policy. Ask IT before trying another method.
- If Windows Update shows an error, see Windows Update “Something went wrong”.
- If you download the package from the Microsoft Update Catalog and it says it doesn’t apply, the prerequisite update is probably missing; see the update is not applicable to your computer.
Microsoft also holds an update back on specific PCs when it knows of a compatibility problem. The 26H2 release health page doesn’t list any named holds at the moment, but if Windows Update says your PC isn’t ready, it’s safest to wait rather than force it.
Other ways to install it
For Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10, or if you want installation media, Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page offers three tools:
| Option | Good for |
|---|---|
| Installation Assistant | Upgrading the PC you’re on, keeping files and apps. It downloads a full copy of Windows, so it takes longer than the enablement package. |
| Media Creation Tool | Making a bootable USB drive to upgrade or clean-install another PC. The drive will be erased. |
| ISO file | Mounting and running setup on the PC, or making your own media, including for virtual machines. |
Your PC still has to meet Windows 11’s requirements, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot; Microsoft hasn’t announced new requirements for 26H2. Tools that bypass those checks aren’t a supported route.
Known issues to check first
Microsoft’s 26H2 release health page lists these issues. Most are already fixed by updates released in October 2026:
| Issue | Status |
|---|---|
| USB Audio Class 1.0 devices show Code 10 or play no sound | Mitigated, fix still pending |
| Remote Desktop error 0xC000000D for non-admin users with Administrator protection | Resolved by KB5127936 (October 28, 2026) |
| Black screen after sign-in, mainly Azure Virtual Desktop with FSLogix | Resolved by KB5127648 (October 13, 2026) |
| Apps that need AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio may close | Resolved by KB5127648 |
If you rely on a simple USB headset, speakers or DAC, read USB audio Code 10 in Windows 11 before you update.
How long each version is supported
| Version | Home and Pro | Enterprise and Education |
|---|---|---|
| 26H2 | Until October 10, 2028 | Until October 9, 2029 |
| 25H2 | Until October 12, 2027 | Until October 10, 2028 |
| 24H2 | Ended October 2026 | Until October 12, 2027 |
Dates come from Microsoft’s release information page. Moving to 26H2 gives Home and Pro users the longest runway.
What about 26H1?
Windows 11 version 26H1 isn’t an update you can install on an existing PC. Microsoft says it’s only for certain new devices that came to market from early 2026, and it isn’t offered as an in-place update from 24H2 or 25H2. If you have a 24H2 or 25H2 PC, 26H2 is the version to get.
Related guides
- How to force Windows Update to check and install updates
- Windows Update “Something went wrong”: how to fix it
- “The update is not applicable to your computer”: causes and fixes
- USB audio device shows Code 10 in Windows 11: how to fix it
Leave a Reply