- Microsoft makes Windows 11 23H2 an automatic install for devices on versions 22H2 and 21H2.
- The automatic upgrade started on February 20, 2024.
- The rollout will happen gradually with devices that have had version 21H2 the longest.
- The end of support for Windows 11 22H2 is October 8, 2024, and support for version 21H2 has already ended.
Microsoft begins the automatic rollout of Windows 11 23H2 on computers still running versions 22H2 and 21H2. Although the “2023 Update” was originally released on October 31, 2023, the update was available as an optional update for compatible devices. However, starting February 20, 2024, the company started the other rollout phase that makes version 23H2 automatically available through Windows Update.
On the dashboard health website, the status notes that Microsoft is now “starting to update eligible Windows 11 devices automatically to version 23H2.”
According to the announcement, the upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 will happen gradually using its “machine learning-based (ML) training” with devices that have “reached or are approaching the end of servicing.” For reference, version 21H2 reached the end of service on October 10, 2023, and version 22H2 will reach its end of support on October 8, 2024.
If you have a computer still on version 22H2, you can upgrade to version 23H2 without giving it a second thought since both versions of the operating system are virtually the same. The reason is that for this particular release, Microsoft pushed a cumulative update for version 22H2 that included all the features and changes expected for version 23H2 because the company wanted to install Copilot on as many devices as possible automatically without the user’s permission.
On the other hand, if you have a device with version 21H2, the update will introduce various improvements and Copilot.
If you are ready to upgrade to version 23H2, you can do this from Settings > Windows Update, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch, click the “Check for updates” button, and click the “Download & install” button.
The update is small and will not trigger a complete reinstallation of the operating system. As a result, it’s not recommended to use the Installation Assistant or any other tool since reinstallation isn’t necessary.
If you upgrade to the new version now, on February 27, you will also be able to update to the “Moment 5” update that brings even more features and changes.
It’s important to note that making the new version an automatic install doesn’t mean that your device will upgrade immediately. Instead, the company plans to roll out the update gradually, ensuring that only devices known to have a good upgrade experience will receive the update first.
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].