Microsoft released Windows 11 version 26H2, also called the Windows 11 2026 Update, on 29 September 2026. Its release health page now says it is available for all eligible devices. For most gaming PCs the update is small and quick, but there is a more pressing reason to install it: Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 version 24H2 reached the end of updates on 13 October 2026.
Forge PC has not tested the 26H2 update on our own machines for this guide. The steps below come from Microsoft's official release information, support articles and Windows Experience Blog post.
Why you should not stay on 24H2
Microsoft's table of supported Windows versions lists these end-of-updates dates for Home and Pro editions:
Version | Released | End of updates (Home and Pro) |
|---|
24H2 | 1 October 2024 | 13 October 2026 |
25H2 | 30 September 2025 | 12 October 2027 |
26H2 | 29 September 2026 | 10 October 2028 |
"End of updates" means no more monthly security fixes. If your PC is still on 24H2 Home or Pro, it is already missing them. Moving to 25H2 would buy you another year; moving to 26H2 buys you two.
Step 1: Check which version you have
Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter. The window shows your version (for example "Version 24H2") and OS build number. You can also find it under Settings > System > About.
If you are still on Windows 10, read our Windows 10 ESU guide first. TechSpot reports that Microsoft's upgrade path also covers the latest Windows 10 version enrolled in Extended Security Updates.
Step 2: Prepare the PC
The 26H2 update is designed to be low-risk, but any update is a good moment to tidy up:
Back up your files first. Our Windows 11 backup guide covers the free options built into Windows.
Install your current monthly updates. Microsoft's support article for the 26H2 enablement package (KB5121794) lists a prerequisite: the September 2026 preview update KB5124010 or a later cumulative update. Windows Update normally handles this automatically.
Update your graphics driver if it is old, using our driver update guide.
Step 3: Install 26H2 through Windows Update
Microsoft's instructions are the same in its blog post and support pages:
Open Settings > Windows Update.
Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they're available if you want the update offered as soon as your PC is eligible.
Select Check for updates.
If you see Windows 11, version 26H2 is available, select Download & install. You can select See what's in this update first if you want to read the release notes.
Restart when asked.
Why it installs so quickly
Versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 share the same core operating system files. Microsoft explains that 26H2's new features are already on your PC, delivered in earlier monthly updates but switched off. The update is an "enablement package", a small "master switch" that turns them on. Microsoft says this means moving from 24H2 or 25H2 to 26H2 takes "a single restart" in most cases, more like a monthly update than a full Windows reinstall.
If the update does not appear
Microsoft is releasing 26H2 through a "controlled feature rollout". Its blog post says it may place safeguard holds on devices where it detects a known compatibility problem, and that availability expands over time. If Windows Update does not offer 26H2:
check that all other pending updates are installed and restart;
look at Microsoft's Windows 11 26H2 release health page, which lists known issues and safeguard holds;
wait a few days and check again rather than forcing it.
Known issues worth knowing about
At the time of writing, Microsoft's release health page listed an issue that could affect PC gamers and streamers: after installing 26H2, some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices might fail to start or produce no sound, with Device Manager showing "This device cannot start (Code 10)". Microsoft lists this as resolved by the security update released on 10 November 2026 (KB5132061), so install the latest monthly update if your USB headset, DAC or microphone stops working. Other listed issues mainly affect servers and business Remote Desktop setups.
After the update
Run winver again to confirm you are on 26H2, then check that your graphics driver, audio devices and game launchers work. If you have tuned Windows for gaming, our Windows 11 gaming settings guide is worth a quick re-check after any big update.
Our verdict
If your PC is on Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, update now: Microsoft stopped providing updates for it on 13 October 2026. The 26H2 update is an enablement package for 24H2 and 25H2 PCs, so it is a small download and normally a single restart. Back up, install pending updates, then use Settings > Windows Update > Download & install. If 26H2 is not offered, a safeguard hold may be in place, so wait rather than forcing it. We have not tested the update ourselves; these steps come from Microsoft's official documentation.
