How to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2

• Windows 10 users can upgrade compatible PCs to Windows 11 26H2.
• Windows Update is the recommended method for upgrading when 26H2 becomes available.
• An ISO file and Installation Assistant provide alternative in-place upgrade options.
• A clean installation provides a fresh start but requires backing up files and reinstalling apps.

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, and if you’re still using the operating system, upgrading to Windows 11 is becoming increasingly important. Microsoft is expected to release Windows 11 26H2 in the second half of 2026, giving compatible devices a path to the latest version of the operating system.

If your computer running Windows 10 meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements, you have several ways to upgrade. The recommended method is Windows Update, which checks whether your device is eligible for the upgrade. You can also use the Installation Assistant or an ISO file to perform an in-place upgrade while keeping your files, apps, and settings.

Microsoft has previously confirmed that upgrading from an eligible Windows 10 device to Windows 11 is free.

If you’ve been using the same Windows 10 installation for years, you can also take this opportunity to start fresh with a clean installation. It’s more work because you’ll need to back up your files and reinstall your applications, but in my experience, starting with a clean installation can be worth it when you want to eliminate years of accumulated software and configuration changes.

Related

Windows 11 26H2 vs 25H2: How they compare, and what’s different

Should I install Windows 11 26H2 on my PC? Yes, but proceed with caution.

In this guide, I’ll show you multiple ways to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2, including the recommended in-place upgrade methods and a clean installation. 

• Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 26H2 from ISO file
• Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 26H2 from Windows Update
• Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 26H2 from Installation Assistant
• Pureinfotech’s Take

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 26H2 from ISO file

Currently, you can only upgrade to the latest preview of the operating system using the ISO file. Once version 26H2 becomes generally available, you’ll be able to upgrade using Windows Update and the Installation Assistant.

To upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2 from the ISO file, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Insider page.

2. Sign in using your Microsoft account credentials (if applicable).

3. Select the “Release Preview (Build 26300.xxxx) – 26H2” (26300.9278 or higher release) option under the “Select edition” menu.

   

4. Click the Confirm button.

5. Choose the product language.

6. Click the Confirm button.

7. Click the “64-bit Download” button.

   

8. Open File Explorer.

9. Right-click the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.

10. Click on the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.

11. Double-click the Setup file to begin the upgrade process.

12. (Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.

    

13. Select the “Not right now” option.

    

14. Click the Next button.

15. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.

    

16. Click the Install button.

Once you complete the steps, the computer will be upgraded to the new version of the operating system. Since this is an in-place upgrade, you won’t need to complete the initial setup because your previous settings, apps, and files will migrate automatically to version 26H2.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 26H2 from Windows Update

This option will be available once the new version of the operating system launches later this year. If you use this option before then, the device will install version 25H2.

To upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2 manually from Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Windows Update.

4. Click the “Check for updates” button.

5. Click the “Download and install” button.

   

6. Click the Restart now button to complete the upgrade.

After you complete the steps, Windows Update will proceed with the upgrade to the Windows 11 2026 Update.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 26H2 from Installation Assistant

The updated version of the Installation Assistant to upgrade Windows 10 to version 26H2 will be available once the new version launches later this year. If you use this option before then, the device will install version 25H2.

To upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 from Windows 10 with the Installation Assistant tool, follow these steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Support website.

2. Click the Download Now button under the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” section.

3. Double-click the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file to launch the tool.

   

4. Click the “Accept and install” button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I’ve been upgrading versions of Windows for a long time, and I generally prefer an in-place upgrade when the existing installation is stable. There’s no reason to wipe a perfectly good computer just to switch from Windows 10 to a newer version. Keeping your apps, files, and settings makes the transition much less disruptive.

That said, I wouldn’t blindly upgrade every Windows 10 installation the same way. If the computer has been around for years and has accumulated a lot of software, drivers, and configuration changes, I’d seriously consider a clean installation. It takes more time, but I’ve found that starting fresh can save headaches later.

For most people, though, I’d start with Windows Update and only move to the other methods if necessary. The important thing is to back up your files first. Windows upgrades have become much more reliable over the years, but I’ve learned that a few minutes spent preparing is far better than trying to recover from a problem afterward.

How are you planning to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2? Let me know in the comments.