Windows 11 24H2 has arrived, and you can force it now on your PC

Windows 11 24H2 is available for download starting October 1, 2024.
The feature update is available for existing devices that are compatible with the version.
This release doesn’t include AI features, as they’re still under development.
AI features like Recall, Studio Effects, AutoSR, and others will be exclusively available on Copilot+ PCs.

Windows 11 24H2 (2024 Update) has been released, and it’s officially available for download on compatible computers starting October 1, 2024. This new version marks the third feature update (build 26100.1876) for the operating system that (as always) brings a new set of features and improvements to enhance productivity, security, and the overall user experience.

In this new version, Microsoft is making a big push on AI innovations with new features like Voice Clarity, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, and Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR). However, these features will require AI-capable hardware, and existing devices are not getting them. Windows Recall is still coming, but it won’t be part of the initial rollout and will only be available for Copilot+ PCs.

This feature update will also introduce new features and changes outside of the AI realm, some of which include Energy Saver mode for laptop and desktop computers, Sudo command like on Linux, universal print drivers, tweaks for the Taskbar, Start menu, and File Explorer, and support for hearing aid devices. Also, the operating system will push networking, security, privacy changes, and more.

Windows 11 24H2 launches on October 1, 2024

Here’s what you need to know about the Windows 11 2024 Update rollout for compatible devices.

Release date for version 24H2

The official release date of Windows 11 24H2 is October 1, 2024. Although the company first made the feature update available on June 18, 2024, it was a release only for the new Copilot+ PCs featuring the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite ARM processor.

Why two releases? Windows 11 24H2 includes various new components necessary to support new AI experiences on new hardware, especially ARM-based devices using the new Snapdragon X Series processor. As a result, Microsoft decided to ship the feature update early for Copilot+ PCs, but only with core features. Starting on October 1, these new devices can download the remaining features of version 24H2. However, features like “Windows Recall,” “Click to Do,” and improvements for Window Search will be first available as a preview through the Windows Insider Program at some point in October, and in November, they’re expected to start rolling out to Copilot+ PC users.

Microsoft is also planning to update Paint with a new “Generative Fill and Erase” feature, and the Photos app is getting a new “Super Resolution” feature.

Forced automatic installation

No, version 24H2 will not install automatically on your computer. You will receive a notification automatically when it’s ready for your device, but you will have to trigger the upgrade manually through the “Windows Update settings.

However, as time goes on, if you have a device with a version of Windows that is reaching the end of support, the feature update will eventually download and install automatically. (Usually, this doesn’t happen during the first few months of the release.)

Reinstallation requirements

Yes, Windows 11 24H2 will require a complete reinstallation since it’s a major update that will make various changes to the setup, meaning that an in-place upgrade and restart will also be required.

So, it’s important that you plan accordingly and create a temporary backup of your device before proceeding.

Features rollout

As usual, I suspect Microsoft’s rollout will be a mess in terms of communication, making it difficult to understand what you will be getting on day one. So, let me explain.

You can now download the final version of the feature update. However, you (probably) won’t get all the features as Microsoft usually uses its Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR), which allows it to turn on new features gradually.

Furthermore, many innovations and improvements are happening in the built-in apps, usually rolled out through the Microsoft Store, not the upgrade process. As a result, you must check for updates manually to upgrade your apps as quickly as possible.

Microsoft sometimes says that a particular feature from an app belongs to a particular version of the operating system. However, you may receive the new improvements in an older version before upgrading.

Finally, since this feature update brings new AI features, you will need special hardware to access some specific features, such as Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), and Windows Recall.

Updated hardware requirements

The minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11 24H2 will be the same as those for the original release, but there are some changes. Although an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is not required to upgrade from version 23H2 or Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2, this piece of hardware will be required for specific AI tasks.

Furthermore, Microsoft is also increasing the processor requirements, but not the way you think. It has been discovered in preview builds that version 24H2 will require the “POPCNT” instruction to start, and this will affect AMD and Intel processors released before 2007.

Since the operating system requires processors from Intel 8th Gen, AMD Zen 2, Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series processor, or newer, if you have a supported device already running Windows 11, this requirement won’t be an issue.

Windows 11 24H2 upgrade process

Similar to previous releases, the easiest way to force the upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 is to use the “Windows Update” settings. However, you can install the new version with the Installation Assistant, the ISO file by mounting it to File Explorer, or use a bootable USB flash drive. Alternatively, you can perform an in-place upgrade with the official ISO file.

The upgrade process will require a complete reinstallation, whether you are coming from the original release of Windows 11 or you want to upgrade from Windows 10. The process will keep your files, settings, and apps. Although this is a non-destructive process, it is always recommended that you create a full backup before proceeding.

If you perform a clean installation of Windows 11 2024 Update, the process will delete your files, apps, and settings.

You can also check out these other guides to download the installation files, create a bootable installation media with Rufus, and more:

Unsupported hardware install to version 24H2

Although it’s not recommended to install the operating system unsupported, if you have a computer that doesn’t meet the hardware requirements, you will be able to upgrade to version 24H2.

The only caveat is that this process won’t happen through the “Windows Update” settings. You will have to perform a clean installation with specially crafted USB bootable media. You can use these instructions to install version 24H2 on unsupported hardware.

Also, the device will be in an unsupported state, which means that Microsoft won’t be able to support the installation, updates, and drivers.

If you upgrade anyway, the device will still require a 64-bit processor with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an enabled TPM 1.2 chip.

Early preview of version 24H2

If you are a Windows Insider Program participant with a computer enrolled in the Release Preview Channel, you already have the latest version of the Windows 11 2024 Update.

If you want to stay on the latest release, it’s now the time to turn on the “Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases” option from the “Windows Insider Program” settings page.

After turning on the setting, the computer will gracefully opt out of the program and will continue getting updates for as long as version 24H2 is supported.

Windows 11 24H2 new features

The next major update of Windows 11 will include a slew of new features, visual changes, and improvements, but the focus will be AI innovations.

You can check my comprehensive guide with everything coming in 2024 as the information becomes available. However, in summary, this is what features and changes to expect with version 24H2:

HDR image support for desktop wallpapers.
Wi-Fi 7 support with supported hardware.
Sudo command support on Windows 11.
Windows Copilot Runtime.
New Energy Saver mode for laptops and desktops.
Quick Settings with scrollable settings.
Share Wi-Fi passwords through QR codes from Settings.
New Windows Protected Print Mode.
New pause and rename options in the printer settings.
Server Massage Block (SMB) protocol receives new changes.
Updates to the Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS).
Hearing Aid support enhancements via Bluetooth Low Energy Audio.
New microphone testing feature that compares audio processing modes for apps.
Settings app with Color Management settings to change color profiles without using the Control Panel.

The company is also updating the interface of the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE), which refreshes the design of the wizard you typically use to install the operating system.

You can also follow these instructions in my video tutorial on my YouTube channel. (Remember to like and subscribe.)

It’s important to note that your device without AI-specific hardware may have access to some of the new features with limited capabilities. For example, there are two versions of Voice Focus: one that requires an NPU, and the other only uses software to remove noises from the audio stream.

These are some of the new AI features expected to arrive for Copilot+ PCs in November:

Windows Recall.
Windows Studio Effects.
Live Captions.
Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR).
Voice Clarity.
Generative Fill and Erase for Paint.
Super Resolution for Photos.
Voice Focus.
Copilot suggestions in apps.

Get started with Windows 11 24H2

You can also check these guides to get started with the new version:

These guides include changes arriving with version 24H2 for existing features:

You can always check the Windows 11 24H2 help page for even more tutorials.

What do you think about the next version of Windows 11? Share your thoughts in the comments.