How to install updates KB5031455 and KB5027397 for Windows 11 (23H2)

• To install KB5031455 and KB5027397 for Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option, click “Check for updates,” and “Restart now.”
• To download and install the KB5031455 package manually, open the Microsoft Update Catalog website, download the update, and double-click the file to install.

UPDATED 11/4/2023: On Windows 11, you can now install the October 31, 2023 update (KB5031455) to enable the new features and improvements part of version 23H2 on your computer. Although Microsoft originally announced September 26, 2023, as the release date for the new version of Windows 11, the company shortly after clarified that the September rollout is merely a non-security update preview for version 22H2 that enables some of the new features (such as the Copilot AI, the new Windows Backup app, the redesigned version of File Explorer, the new Dynamic Lighting functionality).

On October 10, the update became available to everyone as a security update with the same features available on September 26. However, the October 31 release expands the new features to more devices and bumps the build number to 22621.2506 for version 22H2. After this installation, the computer will also receive the enablement package KB5027397, which enables any remaining changes and switches the version to 23H2.

If you have a device already running Windows 11 22H2, you can download the first wave of features from the Windows 11 October 2023 update through Windows Update. Alternatively, you can also download the same update through the Release Preview Channel. 

In the case that you have Windows 11 21H2 or a supported version of Windows 10, you will have to upgrade to version 22H2 first and then download the KB5031455 update from “Windows Update” to enable the new features.

This guide will teach you the steps to download and install the latest features part of version 23H2 on Windows 11.

• Install Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) from Settings
• Install Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) manually from Update Catalog
• Install Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) from Insider Program

Install Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) from Settings

To install the Windows 11 update KB5031354 with new features in October 2023, use these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.

4. Click the “Check for updates” button to download the updates KB5031455 and KB5027397.

   

5. (Optional) Click the “Download and install” option to apply the new version of Windows 11.

   Quick note: Optional updates usually include non-security changes that Microsoft plans to release in the next Patch Tuesday rollout.

6. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the features and changes originally planned for version 23H2 will be installed with the KB5031455 update on your computer running Windows 11 22H2. However, it won’t be until installing the enablement package KB5027397 that the version number will switch to version 23H2.

This release also includes updates for various inbox apps, including Paint, Photos, Notepad, Clipchamp, Snipping Tool, and others. After installing the system update, open the Microsoft Store > Library and click the “Get updates” button to download and install the new features.

If the device has issues with the new update, you can always use these instructions to uninstall the update KB5031455 from your computer.

Install Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) manually from Update Catalog

To download and install the October 2023 update (build 22631.2428) manually on Windows 11 22H2, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Update Catalog website.

2. Search for the knowledge base number of the update – for example, KB5031455.

   

3. Click the Download button for the update to install manually on Windows 11.

   Quick note: The page usually lists two versions, including ARM64 and x64. Unless you have an ARM-based device, you must download the x64 version of the cumulative update.

4. Click the link to download the .msu package to your computer.

5. Click the Close button.

6. Double-click the “.msu” file to launch the installer.

7. Click the Yes button to install the September update.

8. Click the Restart now button.

After you complete the steps, the update will all the new features will apply to Windows 11 22H2. Once the update has been installed, download the enablement package KB5027397 directly from the Microsoft servers for x64 systems or ARM64 devices, and then double-click the file to install and switch the version to 23H2.

Install Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) from Insider Program

If you use the Release Preview Channel from the Windows Insider Program to update your device, you will receive the latest preview of version 23H2 automatically. It’s worth noting that you should only use this option while the feature update is still in preview. Once the new version becomes available, you should only use the Windows Update settings to avoid receiving previews for feature updates of the operating system.

To install Windows 11 23H2 from the Release Preview Channel, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Click the Windows Insider Program tab.

   

4. Click the Get started button.

   

5. Click the “Link an account” button.

   

6. Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.

7. Click the Continue button.

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

   

9. Click the Continue button.

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

11. Click the Restart button.

12. Open Settings after the reboot.

13. Click on Windows Update.

14. Click the Check for updates button to install Windows 11 23H2.

15. Click the Restart button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and begin updating the device to version 23H2, which includes all the new features and changes available with KB5031354 and additional enhancements. 

After the upgrade, you can gracefully remove the computer from the program from the “Windows Insider Program” settings page to prevent upgrading to a follow-up version by turning on the “Stop getting preview builds” toggle switch.

Update October 10, 2023: The language of the writing has been updated to reflect that the update KB5031354 (build 22621.2428) is officially available, with the October 2023 Patch Tuesday rollout out as a security update. Originally, Microsoft released the update as a preview (KB5030310 – build 22621.2361) on September 26, but now, the update is available for everyone with new features and security fixes starting October 10. Also, this guide also clarifies that now the Release Preview Channel is offering version 23H2 instead of the October update for version 22H2.

Update November 1, 2023: This guide has been updated to reflect that the update with new features is now available as KB5031455, and the update KB5027397 is the package that switches version number from 22H2 to 23H2. This release replaces the update KB5031354.

Update November 4, 2023: This guide has been updated to reflect that the system needs both updates (KB5031455 and KB5027397) to complete the switch from version 22H2 to 23H3.