For Security Reasons: Microsoft Forces Millions of PCs to Upgrade to Windows 11
Microsoft has begun installing the update to Windows 11 25H2 on millions of personal computers. There is no way to bypass the update. It is seen as preparation for Windows 11 26H2, which is expected to arrive in autumn 2026.
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Microsoft has begun installing the update to Windows 11 25H2 on millions of personal computers. There is no way to bypass the update. It is seen as preparation for Windows 11 26H2, which is expected to arrive in autumn 2026.
Back in April 2026, Microsoft announced that it would soon undertake a mandatory update to Windows 11 version 25H2. Previously, this upgrade option was available to users of version 24H2, whose support ends in mid-October 2026, but it was not mandatory.
Mandatory Update for All Windows 11 PCs
This has now changed, as reported by Windows Latest. Currently, all Windows 11 PCs running version 24H2 are being updated to 25H2, regardless of whether users want it or not.
Only devices managed by company IT departments are exempt. Additionally, older Windows 11 versions, whose support has already expired, will also be forcibly updated.
Update Completed in Minutes
The update itself should be completed quickly. Since Windows 11 25H2 is based on the same codebase as 24H2, the corresponding download package is relatively tiny at 200 kilobytes. The installation should only take a few minutes. In return, the support period is extended by another year.
Windows 11 25H2 primarily brings improvements in security. The system checks more thoroughly for errors that could allow attacks when creating or executing programs. Furthermore, AI-supported solutions are intended to make program code more secure.
Windows 11 25H2 Aims to Be More Secure
Another measure to enhance security is the removal of old components that are no longer being developed. With the update to 25H2, PowerShell 2.0 and the command-line tool WMIC will disappear from the PCs of Windows 11 users.
The fact that Microsoft is accelerating the 25H2 update is likely related to the upcoming update to Windows 11 26H2, scheduled for autumn 2026, according to Windows Latest. Updating the devices is seen as a crucial prerequisite to ensure a smooth update process.
Preparation for 26H2 in Autumn
As with the current update, the 26H2 update will also only require downloading 200 kilobytes of data. The corresponding new features will already be in place and only need to be activated.
