Is Upgrading to Windows 11 25H2 Worth It Just for Longer Support, and How Can I Install It Early?

My Computer Has Windows 11 24H2, So What Is the Easiest Way to Get the 25H2 Update?

The next major update for Windows 11, version 25H2, is available ahead of its official release through leaked installation files and a special update package. This update extends the support period for your computer but removes an older command-line tool.

Getting Windows 11 25H2 Before the Official Release

Even though Microsoft has not formally announced the Windows 11 version 25H2 update, the files needed to install it have appeared online. This is not unusual for large software companies, as they often place files on their public servers in preparation for a launch. Tech experts and journalists frequently find these files early. There are two primary ways people are accessing this new version right now.

ISO Installation Image

An ISO file is a complete digital copy of an installation disc. You can use it to perform a fresh installation of Windows 11 on a new computer or to completely wipe your current system and start over. It can also be used to upgrade an older version, like Windows 11 23H2. Reports from sources like Windows Central indicate that these ISO files, which are quite large at around 7.2 gigabytes, have been found on Microsoft’s servers for both Intel/AMD and ARM-based computers.

Enablement Update Package

For users already on the immediate preceding version, Windows 11 24H2, there is a much simpler method. A small update package, known as an enablement update, can be installed. This package does not contain the whole operating system. Instead, it acts like a switch, turning on the 25H2 version and changing the build number after a quick restart. This specific update is identified as KB5054156.

How to Upgrade to Version 25H2

The method you choose depends on which version of Windows you currently have and what you want to achieve.

If you are already using Windows 11 version 24H2, your system shares the same fundamental code as version 25H2. This shared foundation is why a small enablement update is possible. By installing the KB5054156 update, you are essentially telling your computer to recognize itself as the newer version. Once Microsoft officially releases 25H2, this same update will be delivered automatically through the standard Windows Update service in your Settings. If you decide you want to go back, uninstalling this specific update will revert your system to version 24H2.

If you are on an older version of Windows 11, such as 23H2, or on Windows 10, you cannot use the small enablement update. You will need to use the full ISO installation image. This process is more involved and is similar to installing an operating system from scratch. You would typically create a bootable USB drive from the ISO file and use it to begin the installation.

No New Features, but Longer Support

A key point to understand is that Windows 11 25H2 does not introduce any new features compared to its predecessor, 24H2. Both versions are built from the same core programming. This means they will receive the exact same monthly security and quality updates.

The main advantage of this shared codebase is consistency.

• Any application that works on version 24H2 will continue to work on version 25H2.
• Drivers for your hardware, such as your printer or graphics card, will remain compatible.
• Unfortunately, this also means that any known bugs or issues present in 24H2 will also be present in 25H2 until a fix is released for both.

The single most important benefit of upgrading to version 25H2 is the extended support lifecycle. “Support lifecycle” refers to the period during which Microsoft guarantees it will provide security patches and updates. Once this period ends, your computer may become vulnerable to new threats.

• Home and Pro Editions: Version 25H2 will receive 24 months of support from its official release date, which is expected in the fall of 2025. In contrast, version 24H2 has already used up part of its support window and has less time remaining.
• Enterprise and Education Editions: These versions, used by large organizations and schools, get an even longer support period of 36 months. This means a system updated to 25H2 could be supported all the way into late 2028.

One Major Removal: WMIC is Gone

While no features were added, one tool has been removed: the WMI Command-line Utility, or WMIC. Microsoft announced its plans to phase out this tool back in early 2024, and with version 25H2, it is officially gone.

For most home users, this change will go completely unnoticed. WMIC is not an application you would click on or use for daily tasks like browsing the web or writing documents. It is a tool for system administrators and automated scripts. It provides a way to get detailed information about the computer’s hardware and software or to manage system settings using text-based commands. For example, an IT department might use a script with WMIC to automatically collect the serial numbers of all computers in the company.

Because it has been a part of Windows for a long time, many businesses have scripts and management tools that depend on WMIC. With its removal, those scripts will fail to run on computers with Windows 11 25H2. The replacement tool recommended by Microsoft is PowerShell. PowerShell is a much more modern and powerful command-line interface that can do everything WMIC could do and more. However, administrators will need to identify their old WMIC scripts and rewrite them using PowerShell commands.

Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 Now?

For the average person, the best advice is to wait. Since the update is not officially released, installing it early carries some risk and offers no immediate reward in terms of new features. It is much safer and simpler to wait for Microsoft to offer the update through the normal Windows Update process.

For IT professionals and system administrators, now is a good time to start testing. You can use the early release to see how the removal of WMIC will impact your organization’s management scripts. This gives you a head start on rewriting and testing your tools with PowerShell, ensuring a smooth transition when the update rolls out to all your company’s computers.