Windows 11 21h2 not available for download

[PoBear]

Hi

I've just noticed that Windows 11 21H1 goes out of support soon. Checking my machine updates for 21H2 and 22H2 are not available for download. I've applied all outstanding updates and they are still not showing. As they don't show there is nothing to indicate why I can't access them.

I'm loathe to download the latest ISO and re-install as I don't want to go back through an install of all my apps and data.

Does anybody have any ideas on how I can move forward with this?

Thanks in advance

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You can click on the blue W11 Installation Assistant button at the link below to do an in-place upgrade to W11 22H2.

You can do this from W10, or W11 21H2.

I am not aware of a W11 version 21H1 existing.

W11 came out in the second half of 2021, hence the name H2 (second half).

Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com)

[PoBear]

thanks for getting back so soon.

Two questions.

1. Will this preserve my apps and data?

2. Is it worth waiting for 23H2 to be included or is it already part of this install?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome  

Yes, if the in-place upgrade works as it should, all of your existing drive configuration will move to the new version of W11 22H2.

That would be up to you if you want to upgrade now to 22H2, or wait 2 - 3 weeks for 23H2 to be released in mid October. 

You can check the above website around October 10th which is supposed to be the release date if you want to wait. 

[PoBear]

Thanks

I'm going to wait for 23H2, assuming it's released soon.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Yes, my understanding is the final release of 23H2 should be out by year's end or earlier.

Microsoft clarifies Windows 11 23H2 update isn’t arriving next week | TechRadar

I in-place upgraded 8 out of 10 of my PCs from W11 22H2 to 23H2 using the latest ISO file of the W11 23H2 release preview that came out on 9/26, and the Rufus v3.18 software.  But you can only download that file right now from a supported W11 PC.

Windows 11 2023 (23H2) Update Release Date & Feature News - Tech Advisor

2 PC's failed to do the in-place upgrade, so I had to clean install W11 23H2 on those.

It seems to work fine and got the few updates that Microsoft has released since then.