Windows 11 23H2: Methods To Upgrade To October 2023 Update

You can now upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 in four different ways. In this guide, I am going to walk you through four different ways to upgrade to Windows 11 version 23H2 to get the October 2023 Update with all the new features. Windows 11 23H2 arrived on 31 October 2023. If you want to upgrade a Windows device running Windows 11 22H2 or older Windows 10 versions, you will have to use the Installation Assitant, Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB flash drive needed to perform a clean installation and the official ISO file after satisfying system requirements.

This optional update marks the second major release of Windows 11 which comes with several new additions, improvements, fixes, visual changes, and productivity enhancement tweaks to better streamline user experience.

Although the usual expert recommendation suggests that you should stay away from a new feature update immediately after its arrival due to the potential for bugs and other problems that often accompany a new rollout, you can upgrade using four methods that involve different tools in addition to Windows Update.

On devices running version 22H2, the safer method involves using Windows Update since version 23H2 comes as a cumulative update without needing a reinstallation over the previous version. However, if you use any other tool for upgrading Windows 11, you will need to do an in-place upgrade that writes over the currently installed version before reinstalling the operating system. So make a note of this before proceeding.

If you’re still running Windows 10 on your computer, you’re eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 directly. But for that, you have to check if your PC can run Windows 11. Also, check if your Windows 11 copy is activated or you can activate Windows 11 using these three methods. Moreover, your device needs an Intel 8th Gen or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, or Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series CPUs. Additionally, make sure your desktop or laptop has TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled with a minimum of 64GB of disk storage.

Once you have satisfied the aforementioned conditions, follow the instructions below to learn four different ways to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 23H2 with October 2023 features.

NOTE: If you plan on upgrading an existing system, make sure to create a backup before proceeding.

Table of Contents

Upgrade To Windows 11 23H2 From Windows Update

We will begin with the easiest method of them all. You can update manually to the new version via Windows Update in settings.

Here are the steps to upgrade to version 23H2 manually through Windows Update:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Click on Windows Update.

Step 3: Click the Check for updates button.

Step 4: Turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.

Step 5: Click the Download and install button to install Windows 11 version 23H2.

Step 5: Click the Restart now button.

Step 6: That’s it.

After completing these steps, your system will upgrade to version 23H2. Note that this method requires waiting until the update arrives in your region, which could be days, weeks, or even months after the initial rollout. If you cannot wait until then, keep reading to learn other ways to jump ahead of the queue and immediately install the update without having to wait.

Upgrade To Windows 11 23H2 From Installation Assistant

To skip the wait often involved in updates arriving via Windows Update, a more practical alternative is to upgrade Windows 10 or Windows 11 22H2 to Windows 11 23H2 from the Installation Assistant.

The process of installing Windows 11 using the Update Assistant tool is simple, which we have explained in a separate guide for your convenience.

Click on the link above to download the Windows 11 23H2 Installation Assistant tool from the official source.

Once upgraded, the setup will continue to update your device to the latest release of the operating system.

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Upgrade To Windows 11 23H2 From ISO File

Using Windows 11 ISO is another way to upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 from version 22H2 or Windows 10. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Support website.

Step 2: Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.

Step 3: Hit the Download button.

Step 4: Select the installation language.

Step 5: Click the Confirm button.

Step 6: Click the Download button to save the Windows 11version 23H2 ISO file on your device.

Step 7: Right-click the downloaded ISO file and select the Mount option.

Step 8: Click on the mounted drive from the left navigational pane.

Step 9: Double-click the Setup file to start the Windows 11 22H2 upgrade process.

Step 10: This (optional) step requires you to click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates option.

Step 11: Select the Not right now option.

Step 12: Click the Next button.

Step 13: Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.

Step 14: Click the Install button to upgrade to version 23H2 without losing your files and apps.

Step 15: That’s it.

If you want to install a fresh copy of Windows 11 23H2, click the Change what to keep option, select the Nothing option, click the Next button, and then click the Install button.

Upon successfully completing the above steps, the Windows 11 2023 Update upgrade process will automatically start and migrate your previous files, apps, and settings.

Upgrade To Windows 11 23H2 From Insider Preview

It’s important to note that after 31 October 2023, you should perform an update through the Windows Update settings, Installation Assistant, or Media Creation Tool. If those methods work, then you can attempt the Insider Preview with the Release Preview Channel.

Alternatively, you can test Windows 11 23H2 before it’s officially available. But for that, you need to enroll your computer in the Release Preview or Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

The Release Preview and Beta channels allow individual users to try out the upcoming future or give corporations a safe environment to validate apps and deployments for their organization before fully implementing them on a large scale. Although the previews in this channel are stable, you cannot discount the possibility of running into problems.

Follow these steps to upgrade your device to Windows 11 23H2 before the public release:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Click on Windows Update.

Step 3: Click the Windows Insider Program tab.

Step 4: Click the Get started button.

Step 5: Click the Link an account button.

Step 6: Sign in without your Microsoft account.

Step 7: Click the Continue button.

Step 8: Under the “Pick your Insider settings” section, select the Release Preview option.

Step 9: Hit the Continue button.

Step 10: Click the Continue button to agree to the terms and conditions.

Step 11: Click the Restart button.

Step 12: Open Settings after the restart.

Step 13: Click on Windows Update.

Step 14: Click the Check for updates button to download the latest available preview of Windows 11 23H2.

Step 15: Now hit the Restart button.

Step 16: That’s it.

Once you have completed the steps, Windows 11 Update will download and update your computer to version 23H2.

After upgrading, you can head to the “Windows Insider Program” settings page and turn on the “Stop getting preview builds” toggle switch to stop receiving the next version.