Windows 11 24H2 now available to everyone! Learn how to install it on your PC

Windows 11 24H2 is rolling out to everyone, but you may not see it right away when checking for updates. If you want to download and install Windows 11 2024 Update (24H2), simply go to Settings > Windows Update. In this guide, we’ll discuss all the different ways to get and install the update.

The Windows 2024 Update has been hanging in the Insider channel for almost a year and is now finally available to all users. This update marks the third major release for Windows 11, first released in 2021. Plus, it’s the biggest update we’ve seen for the operating system in the last two years! (Above)

Where to install Windows 11 24H2

To install Windows 11 2024 Update using Windows Update, just follow these simple steps:

1. Press the Win key on your keyboard.
2. type “Check for updates” and click Input
3. Make sure that the Check “Get latest updates as soon as they are available”. Switching is active.
4. Check for updates again

When the update is ready for your device, just click Download and install. Once the download is complete, make sure to restart your PC when prompted.

As previously mentioned, Windows 11 24H2 is still in the launch phase and therefore may not yet be available in all regions or on every device. Microsoft calls this a “phased rollout.” Even if you see the update, keep in mind that it may take some time to install and boot up your desktop as it is a major version upgrade.

You can upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 from versions 23H2 and 22H2. However, make sure you have installed the Windows 11 May 2024 Update or a newer version first. This is important because the May 2024 non-security update ensures that the full operating system transition to Windows 11 24H2 goes smoothly.

That means even if you check for updates, you may not find them right away. For example, I didn’t see the update on my HP Specter (2024), one of the top flagship Windows laptops. It is also missing from older models like the Legion 5 Pro.

Tip: If you want to upgrade now, Microsoft has released ISO files for the Windows 11 2024 Update. You can download it directly and run setup.exe to update your operating system immediately.

Windows 11 24H2 system requirements

If you’re interested in the hardware requirements for Windows 11 24H2, they’re largely the same as before, with a few minor changes.

You’ll need the usual setup: a 1GHz dual-core CPU, 4GB of RAM, and at least 64GB of storage. Additionally, your system must support UEFI, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. One small change is that your processor now needs to support the SSE4.2 instruction set in addition to POPCNT. Most users will not be affected by this as processors without POPCNT are quite outdated.

Here is the complete list of system requirements for Windows 11 24H2 (Update 2024):

• 1GHz dual core CPU
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB storage
• UEFI
• Safe start
• TPM 2.0 (You can get around this by optimizing the registry)

Additional notes

• Remember the AI: Your processor should handle up to 40 TOPs (trillion operations per second). Currently, only devices with Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips can use Recall AI.
• Recommended specifications for AI features: For optimal performance with additional AI features, it is best to have 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD.

For the first time, the Windows 11 24H2 update introduces exclusive AI features targeting a new device category called “ Copilot+ PCs. These features leverage locally running small language models (SLMs) and can generate images, track your PC activity with recall, and assist with various tasks.

Even if your PC is not a Copilot PC, you can still get the Windows 11 24H2 update if it meets all the necessary hardware requirements. However, keep in mind that the exclusive AI features require more powerful hardware such as an NPU and will not work on standard Windows 11 24H2 systems.

Clean installation of Windows 11 24H2 with Rufus – even without requirements

If you want to start fresh with a clean install of Windows 11 24H2, using Rufus is a good choice. This reliable freeware allows you to create bootable drives for Windows and various other operating systems. For this process you will need two things: the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file and Rufus. If the system recognizes the Windows 11 ISO, you can even use it to remove the requirements and install it on old hardware without the necessary TPM or Secure Boot features.

How to get started:

1. Download the required files: Get both the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file and Rufus from the official links provided earlier.
2. Prepare your USB drive: Connect your USB drive to your computer and launch Rufus.
3. Select your USB drive: Rufus automatically detects your USB drive. Make sure you have selected the correct option to avoid data loss.
4. Select the ISO file: Click Choose Click the button and navigate to the Downloads folder to find the 24H2 ISO file. Click OK to confirm your selection.
5. Start the process: Scroll down and click start to start creating the bootable USB drive.
6. Check the options: Leave all options unchecked and click OK.
7. Acknowledge the warning: Rufus displays a drive format warning. Click OK continue.
8. The target is Rufus: As soon as you see this Ready message in the Rufus window, go ahead and close the app.
9. Restart your PC: Restart your computer and enter the boot manager.
10. Select the USB drive: From the boot options, select your USB drive to start the installation process.
11. Install Windows 11 24H2: Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a clean install of Windows 11 24H2 on your PC.

Now you can create your bootable drive and proceed with the installation!