- To avoid problems installing Windows 11 25H2, use “Windows Update” to upgrade, backup your system, free up space to prevent unwanted storage issues, repair the current setup before upgrading, remove update blocks, uninstall non-essential apps temporarily, create an inventory of the settings, disconnect non-essential peripherals, fix upgrade errors, or upgrade manually.
Windows 11 25H2 is the fourth major feature update of the operating system, and Microsoft is expected to begin rolling it out to compatible devices in September or October 2025. The update will arrive as a cumulative release, which means you will not need to reinstall the operating system if you are already on version 24H2. However, if you are upgrading from version 23H2 or an older release, including Windows 10, a full reinstallation may still be required. For this reason, preparing in advance is the best way to reduce the chance of problems during the upgrade.
Upgrading to the latest version of Windows 11 is always recommended to keep your device supported, protected against security threats, and able to use the newest features. However, the process can introduce unexpected issues. It is common for early releases to surface bugs and errors, as the operating system must run reliably across millions of hardware combinations, making the rollout period particularly challenging.
In this guide, I will share several tips, based on my experience, that can help you avoid problems and errors during the installation of Windows 11 25H2.
- Install Windows 11 25H2 through Windows Update
- Create full backup of your computer
- Prepare storage problems during Windows 11 25H2 upgrade
- Fix Windows Update to download Windows 11 25H2
- Remove blocks to download Windows 11 25H2
- Uninstall non-essential apps to prevent problems
- Prevent settings problems after installing Windows 11 25H2
- Disconnect non-essential peripherals to avoid problems
- Fix Windows 11 25H2 upgrade errors
- Upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 manually
Install Windows 11 25H2 through Windows Update
If you’ll be updating from version 24H2 to 25H2, the recommended method is to use the “Windows Update” settings. Any other method you use will trigger a full reinstallation of the operating system.
Typically, you should avoid rushing the upgrade during the early days of a release, as it may not be fully compatible with all hardware and software configurations.
If you want to upgrade with Windows Update as soon as the Windows 11 2025 Update is ready, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch, and click the “Check for updates” button. Click the “Download and install” button (if applicable).
If your laptop or desktop computer isn’t downloading the new version, the update may not be available to you yet. You can use alternative ways to upgrade, including the “Installation Assistant,” ISO file, or USB bootable media. However, you will likely run into issues if the update is not already available through Windows Update. (Also, you shouldn’t try to upgrade before the feature update is officially available, as the tools will not install the latest version. Instead, they will install the current version at that time.)
As a general rule, it is best to wait several months before upgrading to avoid errors and other issues. However, since the release will be available as a regular cumulative update, it won’t be possible to defer the installation for devices already running version 24H2.
If you cannot wait, check out the tips below to minimize issues trying to install the new Windows experience.
Create full backup of your computer
If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 from a version 23H2 or older, it’s best to perform a full backup of the computer, as this can help recover files or the entire system in case of problems during or after the installation.
At the very least, create a file backup to protect your pictures, videos, and other important files.
Prevent storage problems during Windows 11 25H2 upgrade
On Windows 11, Reserved Storage is a system feature that reserves a portion of the available storage space in advance to prevent issues during the installation of updates and upgrades. However, you may still encounter storage problems when attempting to complete the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade, even with the feature enabled, such as error 0x80070070 – 0x50011, 0x80070070 – 0x50012, or 0x80070070 – 0x60000.
Storage issues are common on devices with limited hard drive capacity. Checking and ensuring that the device has at least 64GB and 20GB of available space will help prevent issues during the download and installation process of the feature update.
If the device does not have enough space, Windows 11 offers different ways to free up drive space. It’s also possible to connect an empty USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage space that the system can use as temporary storage to perform the upgrade.
Fix Windows Update to download Windows 11 25H2
When a new version of Windows 11 becomes available, it may take several weeks for it to become available for your device. However, sometimes the problem may be related to the update mechanism.
If the computer isn’t receiving the feature update due to an issue with Windows Update, you can reset the system components to resolve stuck updates that are trying to download. If you cannot resolve the problem on version 23H2 or an older release, the “Installation Assistant” tool may be an alternative approach to installing version 25H2 when it becomes available.
Remove blocks to download Windows 11 25H2
A metered connection will prevent updates from downloading on your device. If you have a wired or wireless connection configured as metered, you have to disable the feature to remove the block from Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), selecting the network and disabling the “Set as metered connection” toggle switch.
Uninstall non-essential apps to prevent problems
Sometimes, third-party security software could cause problems during the upgrade process. If you have a third-party antivirus or other security software, it’s best to disable or temporarily uninstall it before upgrading to Windows 11 25H2. Additionally, programs designed for older versions of the operating system may cause issues. If you suspect a program may be causing compatibility issues, try to uninstall it. You can reinstall it after the installation.
You can uninstall apps on Windows 11 from Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Click the “Uninstall” button for the app to remove, and follow the on-screen instructions (if applicable).
Prevent settings problems after installing Windows 11 25H2
The upgrade process to a new version of Windows 11 may cause unexpected changes to certain settings, such as default apps, privacy settings, and others. If you use a custom configuration, note the settings before installing the Windows 11 2025 Update. If something changes during the upgrade, you can restore the settings.
Disconnect non-essential peripherals to avoid problems
Storage devices (such as USB flash drives and external hard drives), cameras, and printers are sometimes responsible for errors and other issues during an installation. Typically, it’s recommended to disconnect the peripherals to avoid problems upgrading to version 25H2. You only need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connection.
Bluetooth devices can also cause issues. If you have a device using this wireless technology, disable it before upgrading from Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn off the “Bluetooth” toggle switch.
Fix Windows 11 25H2 upgrade errors
Usually, if a device has an issue, it’s likely that other computers are experiencing the same problem. You should research the error online to determine if other people have the same problem and the workaround they are using.
Microsoft provides information, status updates, and potential solutions for issues in the Windows 11 health dashboard.
Aside from unexpected errors and bugs with Windows 11 25H2, you may encounter several known issues that are not considered bugs and can occur during the upgrade process. For example, an error code that begins with 0xC1900101 (for example, 0xC1900101 – 0x20004, 0xC1900101 – 0x2000c, 0xC1900101 – 0x20017, 0xC1900101 – 0x30018, 0xC1900101 – 0x3000D, 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D, 0xC1900101 – 0x40017) is typically a driver error.
Error 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C indicates that an app is incompatible with the upgrade. 0x80070070 – 0x50011 (0x50012 or 0x60000) is another common error, typically indicating insufficient space to complete the update.
Upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 manually
If the troubleshooting steps identify a problem with the current setup or hardware, rather than a feature update issue, the best way to minimize issues is to perform a clean installation of Windows 11, reconfigure the settings, reinstall the apps, and restore the files from a backup.
You can also try an in-place upgrade that will preserve your apps, settings, and files. The process is straightforward. You will need to mount the official Windows 11 ISO and launch the setup wizard.
If you upgrade to version 25H2, but the update causes problems, you can uninstall the feature update from Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates and uninstall the update marked as the Windows 11 version 25H2 or Windows 11 2025 Update, and you will have to block the update manually to prevent the system from reinstalling it again.
If you upgrade from a previous version, such as Windows 10, you will need to use the “Recovery” settings.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].