- Microsoft has rolled out the Windows 11 24H2 update (Build 26100.712) to the Release Preview channel, much earlier than general availability.
- You can switch to the Release Preview channel or download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO to upgrade your PC.
- Keep in mind, you don't get promising AI features like Recall, Cocreator, etc. which are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.
After the MS Build 2024 event, Microsoft released the Windows 11 24H2 update to Insiders, way before general availability. You can install the Windows 11 24H2 update right now without having to wait for months. You get a new Copilot app, an improved context menu, a scrollable quick settings panel, and a lot of new features. And if you want to download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO, you can do that as well. On that note, let’s begin.
Switch to the Release Preview Channel
Before general availability, Microsoft is rolling out the Windows 11 24H2 update (Build 26100.712) early to Insiders in the Release Preview channel. The Release Preview channel is generally less buggy, and very close to the stable build. Here is how to upgrade to the Windows 11 24H2 build in just a few clicks.
- Open Windows Settings by pressing “Windows + I”. Here, move to “Windows Update” and click on “Windows Insider Programme”.
- Next, click on “Get started” and choose “Link an account”. Now, sign in with your Microsoft account.
- On the next page, choose the “Release Preview” channel and click on “Continue”. You might be asked to restart your PC. Click on “Restart”.
- After that, open Windows Settings again and move to “Windows Update”. Here, enable the toggle next to “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available”.
- Now, click on “Check for updates”.
- A banner will appear saying “Windows 11, version 24H2 is available”. Now, click on “Download & install”.
- After the installation, restart your PC, and the 24H2 update will be installed on your PC.
Download Windows 11 24H2 ISO and Clean Install
Microsoft has also uploaded the ISO for the Windows 11 24H2 build. If you want to clean install the 24H2 build, you can follow this method. Keep in mind, the currently available ISO for the Release Preview channel is 26100.560. It means that after the installation, you will have to join the Insider program and move to the Release Preview channel to receive the latest 26100.712 update.
- Head over to Microsoft’s page and scroll down to download the ISO for Windows 11 Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel) – Build 26100.560.
- Once the 24H2 ISO is downloaded, launch Rufus (Free) and create a bootable USB drive.
- For further steps, you can follow our detailed article on how to clean install Windows 11.
So these are the two ways you can install the annual feature update on your PC. Bear in mind that promising AI features like Recall and Cocreator are not available on x64 PCs. You will have to buy a new Snapdragon X Elite laptop which comes with an on-device NPU to use these AI features. Anyway, that is all from us. If you are facing any issues, let us know in the comments below.
