Windows 11 22H2 (2022 Update) is available starting September 20, 2022. If you plan to upgrade a device running Windows 11 21H2 or Windows 10, you will have to use the official ISO file, Windows Update, or Installation Assistant.
This release represents the first major release of Windows 11, and it’s an optional update that brings a slew of visual changes to make the experience more consistent and packs several new features and security improvements.
Although it is not a good idea to rush and install a new feature update as soon as it becomes available to avoid potential bugs and other problems during the early days, you can upgrade manually in at least three ways using the different tools and Windows Update. You can even upgrade early using the Windows Insider Program.
If you are still on Windows 10, you can upgrade directly to Windows 11 22H2. However, you must ensure that the hardware meets the minimum requirements. You will need an Intel 8th Gen or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, or Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series processor. This is in addition to the requirements of TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot and a minimum of 64GB of storage.
This guide will teach you four ways to upgrade to the Windows 11 2022 Update. You can also upgrade the system using a clean installation in six ways.
- Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from ISO file
- Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Windows Update
- Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Installation Assistant
- Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Insider Program
Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from ISO file
To upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Windows 11 21H2 or Windows 10 with an ISO file, use these steps:
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Open Microsoft Support website.
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Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.
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Click the Download button.
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Select the installation language.
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Click the Confirm button.
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Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 22H2 ISO file.
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Right-click the ISO file and select the Mount option.
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Click on the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.
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Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 22H2 upgrade process.
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(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
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Select the “Not right now” option.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
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Click the Install button to upgrade to version 22H2 while keeping your files and apps.
If you want to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 11 22H2, click the “Change what to keep” option, select the Nothing option, the Next button, and then the Install button.
Once you complete the steps, the Windows 11 2022 Update upgrade will start, and your previous settings, apps, and files will migrate automatically.
Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Windows Update
To upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 manually from Windows Update, use these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Windows Update.
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Click the Check for updates button.
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Click the “Download and install” button to install Windows 11 22H2.
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Click the Restart now button.
Once you complete the steps, the setup will upgrade the system to version 22H2.
Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Installation Assistant
You can also use the Installation Assistant to upgrade from Windows 10 or 11 21H2 to Windows 11 22H2.
To upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 with the Installation Assistant tool, use these steps:
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Under the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” section, click the Download Now button.
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Double-click the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file to launch the tool.
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Click the “Accept and install” button to begin the upgrade to Windows 11 22H2.
After you complete the steps, the setup will continue upgrading the computer to the latest operating system release.
Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 from Insider Program
Since version 22H2 has already been released, upgrading through the Windows Insider Program is no longer recommended, as you will install bits for the next release, which is still unfinished and may contain bugs.
To upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 early from version 21H2, use these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Windows Update.
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Click the Windows Insider Program tab.
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Click the Get started button.
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Click the Link an account button.
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Sign in with your Microsoft account.
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Click the Continue button.
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Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the Release Preview option.
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Click the Continue button.
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Click the Continue button to agree to the terms and conditions.
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Click the Restart button.
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Open Settings after the reboot.
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Click on Windows Update.
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Click the Check for updates button to download the latest preview of Windows 11 22H2.
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Click the Restart button.
Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and update the computer to version 22H2.
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.
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 14 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 20 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].