Cannot install Windows 11 24H2 or 25h2

[Bore07tm]

I have a HP Laptop that i use occassionally (when travelling) running Intel(R) Pentium(R) Silver N5030 CPU @ 1.10GHz with 4 Gb Ram.

I tried to instal the 24H2 upgrade, but installation was incomplete after 12 hours (download over a 200Mb/s Wifi link)

Every time I go the Widows update page in now shows Windows 25H2, which I understand will not install unless 24H2 is there.

Considering the time taken to get so far with 24H2, and the usage I have of the laptop (emails, browsing, a downloading RAW Camera files to offline storage) what are my options?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Bore07tm,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP laptop with an Intel Pentium Silver N5030 and 4GB RAM is having trouble installing Windows 11 24H2, and now the 25H2 update won’t proceed. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this and explore your options.

Check system requirements for Windows 11

Windows 11 has minimum RAM and CPU requirements. With 4GB RAM, installation can be slow or fail.

Verify that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled in BIOS, as these are required for Windows 11.

Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft and run it.

This tool can help bypass some of the update issues that occur with Windows Update.

Consider creating a bootable USB for a clean install

Use the Media Creation Tool to make a USB installer.

Boot from USB and perform an in-place upgrade or clean install to avoid long update loops.

Evaluate the hardware limitations

With 4GB RAM and a low-frequency Pentium Silver CPU, Windows 11 updates may take a very long time and can perform poorly.

For occasional usage (emails, browsing, downloading files), staying on Windows 10 may be more practical.

Optimize Windows for low-spec hardware

If you proceed with Windows 11, disable unnecessary startup apps, use lightweight browsers, and limit background processes to improve performance.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Bore07tm]

After posting on the HP Community website, before getting a response, I tried this method and it worked. Although it still took 4-5 hours to complete the process.

However, my concern is that even though the Microsoft software suggests that this laptop is " Windows 11 ready", it is in reality not compatible with the Windows 11 operating system.

In other words, I believe I've been sold " a pup". Not only have I been sold a pup, but also paid for a year's extended warranty. Going on the HP website ( even though technical support is included in my extended warranty), they are asking me to shell out even more fore technical support!

The reason for this is the laptop is slow at doing everything from booting up to opening Outlook.

From what I have read on the web, proces

If I had known this, I would never have purchased it.

Maybe this is the wrong place to vent my spleen,, but I think it's fair to point this out

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Bore07tm,

I understand your HP laptop with an Intel Pentium Silver N5030 and 4GB RAM is struggling with Windows 11 updates and overall performance. Let’s go through a few steps and options to help you make the most of your device:

Evaluate hardware limitations
– With 4GB RAM and a low-frequency Pentium Silver CPU, Windows 11 updates and day-to-day tasks (Outlook, browsing, file transfers) will be slow.
– Even though Microsoft labels it “Windows 11 ready,” real-world performance can be limited on low-spec hardware.

Consider staying on Windows 10
– Windows 10 is lighter on resources and still supported with security updates until October 2025.
– For occasional use like emails, browsing, and file downloads, Windows 10 may provide a faster, more responsive experience.

If you want to continue with Windows 11
– Use Windows 11 Installation Assistant or a bootable USB for a clean install to reduce update issues.
– Disable unnecessary startup apps, background processes, and use lightweight applications to improve speed.
– Keep in mind that even optimized, performance will remain limited due to hardware constraints.

Performance tweaks
– Adjust visual effects in Windows: Settings → System → About → Advanced system settings → Performance settings → Adjust for best performance.
– Keep only essential programs installed. Avoid heavy browsers or large background apps.
– Consider external storage for large files to reduce disk usage.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,