How to upgrade Windows 10 to 11 22H2

Use these steps to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 on a computer running any version of Windows 10.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Windows 10 upgrade to 11 22H2
Windows 10 upgrade to 11 22H2

If you have a computer with a Windows 10 setup, you can upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 directly using the ISO file, Windows Update, Update Assistant, and the Windows Insider Program. 

Although Windows 11 22H2 will be available as a free upgrade for existing devices running the operating system’s original release, if you have Windows 10, the hardware still needs to meet the minimum requirements to continue the installation process. In a nutshell, you need an Intel’s 8th Gen or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, or Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series processor. These requirements are in addition to TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot and a minimum of 64GB of storage. 

Microsoft supports multiple upgrade methods to the new version. When the new Windows 11 2022 Update is ready for your computer, you will receive a notification from Windows Update to proceed with the upgrade. However, you can also use the Installation Assistant to perform an in-place upgrade. Or you can download the ISO file to upgrade using a USB flash drive.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to upgrade Windows 10 to the Windows 11 2022 Update in four different ways. You can also upgrade the system using a clean installation in six different ways.

Important: If you plan to upgrade an existing system, it is also recommended to create a backup before proceeding. You have been warned. Also, these instructions are meant to upgrade a device after the feature update is officially available, not before. If the feature update becomes available on September 20, it’ll probably happen after 1PM EST.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 22H2 from ISO file

To upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 22H2 with an ISO file, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Support website.

  2. Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.

  3. Click the Download button.

    Windows 11 22H2 ISO download

  4. Select the installation language.

  5. Click the Confirm button.

  6. Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.

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

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

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

  10. (Optional) Click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates option.

    Windows 11 setup update options

  11. Select the Not right now option.

    Disable updates during installation

  12. Click the Next button.

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

    Media Creation Tool settings

  14. Click the Install button to upgrade while keeping your files and apps.

After you complete the steps, the upgrade process will begin, and the computer will restart several times. Since this is an in-place upgrade, you won’t need to complete the out-of-box experience (OOBE) because your previous settings, apps, and files will migrate automatically to version 22H2.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 22H2 from Windows Update

Once version 22H2 is officially available, you can update manually, similarly to installing a feature update on Windows 10 through Windows Update.

To upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 22H2 manually with the Windows Update settings, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Update & Security.

  3. Click on Windows Update.

  4. Click the Check for updates button.

    Windows 11 upgrade

  5. Click the Download and install button.

    Windows 11 22H2 upgrade on unsupported hardware

  6. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the setup will proceed with a complete reinstallation to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 22H2 from Installation Assistant

To upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Windows 10 with the Installation Assistant tool, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Support website.

  2. Under the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” section, click the Download Now button.

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

    Windows 11 Update Assistant

  4. Click the Accept and install button.

After completing the steps, the computer will upgrade to the latest operating system version.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 22H2 from Insider Program

If you want to test Windows 11 22H2 before it becomes available, you can enroll the computer in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

To upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 (preview), 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 Channel 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.

    Windows 11 upgrade

  16. Click the Restart button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will begin upgrading the device to Windows 11 22H2 from Windows 10. You can also gracefully opt out of the computer from the program using the “Windows Insider Program” settings page to prevent installing previews for the next version by turning on the “Stop getting preview builds” toggle switch.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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].