How to upgrade to Windows 10 22H2

Use these steps to install Windows 10 21H2 on a device running version 22H2, 21H1, 20H2, 2004, or an older release.

Windows 11 22H2 upgrade
Windows 11 22H2 upgrade

“Windows 10 22H2” is expected to launch in October, and you can upgrade to the latest version manually whether you have version 21H2, 21H1, 20H2, or an older release.

Although you shouldn’t install the new feature update quickly to avoid potential bugs and other problems during the early days, you can upgrade manually in at least three ways using Windows Update, Media Creation Tool, and Update Assistant.

If you have a device with versions 21H2, 21H1, or 20H2, the best way to install the version 22H2 release is using Windows Update because the new release of Windows 10 is a minor update, and you only need an enablement package to upgrade. However, Windows Update will take longer if the device has version 1909 or an older release. If you want to force the upgrade, you can use the Media Creation Tool or Update Assitant to perform an in-place upgrade, preserving your files, apps, and settings.

This guide will teach you the steps to upgrade versions 21H2, 21H1, 20H2, or an older version to Windows 10 22H2.

Important: These instructions will work whether you are trying to upgrade from version 21H2 or 21H1 to 21H2, 20H2 to 22H2, 2004 to 22H2, or from any other release, including version 1909, back to the original release (such as 1803, 1709, 1703, 1607, 1511, or 1507). Also, these steps are meant to help you upgrade once the new version becomes available, not before. You have been warned.

Update to Windows 10 22H2 from Windows Update

To upgrade to Windows 10 22H2 manually from version 21H2, 21H1, 20H2, or 2004, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on Update & Security.

  3. Click on Windows Update.

  4. Click the Check for updates button (if applicable).

  5. If your device is compatible with Windows 11 and has the upgrade notification, click the “Stay on Windows 10 for now” option to get the version 22H2 upgrade option.

    Skip Windows 11, install 10 22H2

  6. Under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 22H2” section, click the “Download and Install now” button.

    Windows 10 22H2 upgrade

    Quick tip: If the option is not available, it is likely, that the update is not ready for your computer.
  7. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 22H2 will install as a regular monthly update without complete reinstallation. 

Windows 10 22H2 preview install

If you want to try out version 22H2 before it becomes officially available, you will need to enroll the device in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

To install the latest preview of Windows 10 22H2, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Update & Security.

  3. Click on Windows Insider Program.

  4. Click the Get started button.

    Join Windows Insider Program button

  5. Click the Link an account button.

    Link an account option

  6. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

  7. Click the Continue button.

  8. Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the Release Preview option.

  9. Click the Confirm button.

  10. Click the Confirm button to agree to the terms and conditions.

  11. Click the Restart button.

  12. Open Settings after the reboot.

  13. Click on Update & Security.

  14. Click on Windows Update.

  15. Click the Check for updates button.

  16. Under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 22H2” section, click the “Download and Install now” button.

    Windows 10 22H2 upgrade

  17. Click the Restart button.

After you complete the steps, the computer will install the 2022 Update and will continue to receive updates for the time this release is supported. You can then opt out of the program to stop getting builds from the next feature update by turning on the “Stop getting preview builds” toggle switch in the “Windows Insider Program” settings.

Update to Windows 10 22H2 from Media Creation Tool

Alternatively, you can use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade to version 22H2. However, this method is not recommended since it will completely reinstall the operating system. 

To upgrade to Windows 10 22H2 from an older version, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft support website.

  2. Under the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section, click the Download tool now button.

  3. Save the installer to the device.

  4. Double-click the MediaCreationTool22H2.exe file to launch the tool.

  5. Click the Accept button.

  6. Select the Upgrade this PC now option.

    Upgrade this PC now

  7. Click the Accept button again.

  8. Select the option to keep your files and apps.

  9. Click the Install button.

    Media Creation Tool install option

After you complete the steps, the setup will continue upgrading your device to the new release of the operating system.

Update to Windows 10 22H2 from Update Assistant

To use the Update Assistant to upgrade to Windows 10 22H2, use these steps:

  1. Download the Update Assistant for Windows 10 22H2 by clicking the Update Now button from the Microsoft software support download page.

  2. Double-click the Windows10Upgrade9252.exe file to launch the tool and click the Update Now button.

  3. Once the tool confirms that the hardware and software configuration are compatible, the 2022 Update files will download to the device. Then you will need to click the Restart Now button to complete the installation.

    Update Assistant May 2021 Update

The Update Assistant process should take less than an hour to complete.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].