How to install Windows 11 25H2 for early access to new features

To install Windows 11 25H2 early, enroll your PC in the Dev Channel through the Windows Insider Program and download the update through Windows Update.
Alternatively, download the ISO preview file to create a bootable USB for a clean installation.
Since the update is still in development, I recommend avoiding installation on your main device.

Although Windows 11 25H2 isn’t officially expected until later this year as a quick update through an enablement package, you can install it early to explore the new features and improvements ahead of the general release.

If you’re interested in upgrading before everyone else, you’ll have to enroll your device in the Dev Channel to get the update through Windows Update. Alternatively, you can download the preview ISO file to create a bootable USB and perform a clean installation of the operating system.

Microsoft is still in the early stages of developing this new feature update, which means that early builds may break existing and new features, cause errors, and result in data loss. As a result, the best approach is to install the new version of the operating system on a virtual machine or a space computer. It’s not recommended to set up this feature update on your main device.

In this guide, I’ll outline two ways to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 before it becomes generally available.

Install Windows 11 25H2 using Insider Program
Install Windows 11 25H2 using bootable USB

Important: At the time of this writing, Windows 11 25H2 still hasn’t been finalized, which means that you may still run into some issues during and after the upgrade. Additionally, creating a full backup of your computer is recommended in case you need to roll back in the event of an issue.

Install Windows 11 25H2 using Insider Program

To upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 early from version 24H2 using the Windows Insider Program, follow these steps:

Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Windows Insider Program tab.
Click the Get started button.
Click the “Link an account” button.
Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Click the Continue button.
Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the “Dev Channel” option.
Click the Continue button.
Click the Continue button to agree to the terms and conditions.
Click the Restart button.
Open Settings after the reboot.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the “Check for updates” button to install Windows 11 25H2.
Click the Restart button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will download and install the Windows 11 2025 Update. Additionally, the computer will continue to receive preview builds (approximately every week) from this channel, featuring new features, changes, and fixes.

Install Windows 11 25H2 using bootable USB

You can also download the ISO file containing the latest Windows 11 25H2 to create a bootable USB for a clean install.

Before proceeding, make sure your device is configured to boot from a USB flash drive. This may require changing the UEFI firmware settings. Since these settings vary by device, it’s best to visit your computer manufacturer’s support page for detailed instructions.

To perform a clean install of Windows 11 25H2 from a bootable USB media, follow these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 11 25H2 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Choose the installation language and format.
Click the Next button.
Choose the keyboard and input method.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Install Windows 11” option.
Check the “I agree everything” option to confirm this process will delete everything on the computer.
Click the “I don’t have a product key” option.

Quick note: The computer will activate automatically after reinstallation. If this is a new computer, you must provide a product key. You can always provide the product key to activate later through the Settings app.
Select the edition of “Windows 11” your license key activates (if applicable).
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button
Select each partition on the hard drive where you want to install Windows 11 25H2 and click the Delete button. (Usually, “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install the operating system.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Choose your region setting on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) after the installation.
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. You must set up the connection manually on a wireless connection (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 11 Pro. This option is not available for the “Home” edition.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create a Windows 11 account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit Windows Hello PIN.
Click the OK button.
Choose your privacy setting that best suits your preferences.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click the Accept button.
Click the More options setting.

Quick tip: You can also click the “Restore from this PC” button to restore your files, apps, settings, and credentials from the system backup available in your OneDrive account. You can learn more about the Windows Backup app in this guide.
Click the “Set up as a new PC” option.
Click the “Set up as a new PC” option again.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the operating system to suggest tools and service customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
(Optional) Use the code to link your Android phone or click the Skip option.
(Optional) Use the code to download the OneDrive on your phone or click the Skip option.
Click the “Not now” button if you will be using a browser other than Microsoft Edge.

After completing the steps, Windows 11 25H2 will complete the clean installation on the computer.

If you choose to use the USB bootable media method, after the installation, it’s recommended to enroll your computer in the Dev Channel (as outlined above) to receive new preview builds of version 25H2 as soon as they become available.