I'm facing a weird problem while trying to upgrade multiple Windows 11 machines on our network from 23H2 to 24H2. It's not just one computer; I've got around 20 out of 250+ machines that won't cooperate during the update process. Here's what I've tried so far: 1. Windows Update doesn't list 24H2 as available. I see a new option for 24H2 2025 but when I try it, it either hangs while downloading or fails to start. 2. Using Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 ISO files via USB or local installation results in the same issue. I also restarted both the Windows Installer and Windows Update service. 3. The Windows Update Assistant only offers 25H2; when I try that, it either freezes or restarts without completing the installation. I really want to avoid having to manually image or wipe these machines. Has anyone else encountered this problem? What should I try next?
6 Answers
There’s a Win11 Enablement Package that could help streamline this for you, though it’s good to have a patch management system in place first, like Ivanti or Action1. This way, you can manage updates more effectively and avoid chaotic deployments. Consider that you have some time to sort this out since many are sticking with 23H2 until 2026 before upgrading.
You might want to check if the problematic machines have any incompatible device drivers. I faced a similar issue at home, and the update process didn’t inform me which drivers were the problem. Also, enabling Memory Integrity in Security settings can flag those drivers if they’re causing conflicts.
First, check if those 20 machines have enough free space for the update. I heard it requires around 9 GB minimum, but I suggest having at least 20 GB available to avoid issues. If they're low on space, that might be the culprit!
Have you tried using SetupDiag? It's really handy for diagnosing installation issues. Just run `SetupDiag.exe /Output:C:setupdiag.log` and see if it gives you any insights. If you're hitting the install failure message, let me know what it says after reverting changes.
One of my machines did show that message, but the others don’t even get that far.
Make sure to update all your drivers and BIOS/firmware on those machines. Also, if there's a Windows.old folder from a previous installation, deleting that could free up resources for the upgrade.
From what we've seen, outdated drivers or issues with security tools like Crowdstrike can impede updates. Regularly updating your drivers and potentially removing Crowdstrike temporarily might resolve this for you.
I’m currently working on one of those machines that has 236 GB free, so it's not an issue for this particular one.