Upgrade unsupported (25H2) PCs to Windows 11 26H2 without reinstall or extra tools

• Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 PCs can upgrade to 26H2 using the KB5121794 enablement package.
• The eKB works as a master switch because 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2 share the same underlying core.
• The upgrade keeps your apps, files, and settings without requiring a clean installation or third-party tools.
• Unsupported hardware remains unsupported, and the upgrade isn’t offered through Windows Update.

If you’re running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 on unsupported hardware, you don’t have to wipe your computer just to upgrade to Windows 11 26H2. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the same enablement package approach used for 25H2 can also work here.

The reason is fairly simple. Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2 share the same underlying core. The enablement package (eKB) essentially acts as a master switch, activating the newer version without going through the traditional upgrade process where the hardware compatibility checks would normally happen.

Microsoft isn’t suddenly supporting unsupported PCs, because the option to activate the new version won’t be available through the Windows Update settings, but the result is pretty useful. You can upgrade while keeping your apps, files, and settings intact, without custom installation media or third-party tools.

Related

How to upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 (early)

How to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware

In this guide, I’ll show you how to upgrade an unsupported PC from Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 to 26H2 using the enablement package.

Windows 11 26H2 unsupported hardware upgrade process 

To upgrade from version 25H2 or 24H2 to 26H2 without reinstallation or extra tools, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Click the Check for updates button.

   

4. Click the Restart now button to apply the most recent updates.

5. Click to download the eKB (KB5121794) for Intel and AMD (or ARM64).

6. Save the enablement package on your computer.

7. Double-click the “.msu” file to launch the KB5121794 installer.

   

8. Click the Yes button to apply the upgrade.

   

9. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the computer will upgrade automatically to Windows 11 26H2.

This process only applies to devices running version 24H2 or 25H2. If you have a computer running version 23H2, an older release, or Windows 10, you cannot use the enablement package. In this case, you must proceed with an in-place upgrade or a clean installation process using custom USB bootable media or third-party tools.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I like this upgrade path because it keeps things simple. I’ve dealt with enough compatibility checks over the years to know how frustrating it can be when perfectly usable computers get left behind because of a hardware requirement. In this case, the shared system core and eKB make that restriction less of a roadblock.

I wouldn’t call this a loophole that suddenly makes unsupported hardware safe or supported, though. Microsoft still doesn’t offer the upgrade through Windows Update on these devices, so I’d treat it as a practical workaround rather than something guaranteed to work forever.

For anyone already running 24H2 or 25H2 on an unsupported PC, I’d personally take advantage of it. There’s little appeal in wiping a working installation when a small package can move the system forward and keep everything in place.

Would you upgrade your unsupported PC to Windows 11 26H2 this way? Let me know in the comments.