Microsoft to force updates to Windows 11 25H2 for PCs with older Windows 11 OS versions — 'intelligent' update system uses machine learning to determine when a device is ready

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft is force-updating devices running Windows 11 24H2 to the latest 25H2 update. With support for version 24H2 officially ending on October 13, 2026, the move seems to be a part of the company’s effort to keep all devices updated to the latest version of its operating system, at the same time make the entire update experience more streamlined.

According to Microsoft’s Windows 11 25H2 support page, the automatic rollout specifically targets systems running Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 version 24H2. However, devices that are managed by organizations or IT departments are excluded at the moment. Notably, the rollout will be handled by an “intelligent” update system that leverages machine learning to determine when a device is ready to receive the update.

Curiously, there seems to be a lack of transparency around how Microsoft’s machine learning system decides when a device is ready to receive the automatic update. The company has not shared any specifics about the criteria or any data points that are being used, which does raise some questions, especially for users who prefer greater control, especially at the system-level.

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Notice for automatic forced update rollout for Windows 11 25H2 — (Image credit: Microsoft)

As this is a forced update, users will not have an option to completely opt out. There is, however, limited control over when the update is installed, as Microsoft will let users postpone for a specific period of time. For those who prefer taking matters into their own hands, the update can also be installed manually by heading to Settings > Windows Update and clicking on “Check for updates,” provided the device meets the eligibility requirements.

Since we are on the subject, Microsoft pushed an emergency update for Windows 11 earlier this week following a faulty preview update that failed to install on a large number of systems. The original update (KB5079391) was released in late March, which reportedly triggered widespread installation issues with error code 0x80073712, which typically indicates missing or corrupted files. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and has since pulled the broken update and replaced it with a new out-of-band patch (KB5086672). This updated release not only resolves the installation problems but also includes all the improvements and features originally intended for the March update.

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Kunal Khullar is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. He is a long time technology journalist and reviewer specializing in PC components and peripherals, and welcomes any and every question around building a PC.

11 Comments Comment from the forums

hotaru251

As this is a forced update, users will not have an option to completely opt out.

the normal way no, however disabling windows update entirely is easily do-able and 100% opts out of it
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M0rtis

Is Win 11 Pro less of a headache to manage vs 11 Home in any way ?
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SomeoneElse23

M0rtis said:
Is Win 11 Pro less of a headache to manage vs 11 Home in any way ?
Likely, if it follows what Win10 does. Pay more to be more in control.

Or you can just upgrade to Windows 10 and use 0patch.
Reply
beyondlogic

great so crapsoft is going to force pc users to update isnt going to go well if the thing bricks peoples pcs will crapsoft pay the users ? i think not.
Reply
ezst036

It is always "force" with Microsoft.

Sigh.
Reply
Paradoxides

Good luck with that Microsoft.

Except for like the few minutes I need to submit my tax forms once a year my Windows partition never has access to the internet.

If it sniffs a forced update... I know what a power button does.
Reply
TechieTwo

MORE crime by Microsucks. SOS, DD.
Reply
pjmelect

What happens if Your computer does not have SSE 4.2 and the POPCNT instruction, will it still try and upgrade you?
Reply
ThisIsMe

These comments show extreme levels of ignorance (at best) or are simply grossly irresponsible (at worst). It’s getting harder to tell the shouting muppets that all read about that one post on Reddit from the dangerous trolls that simply want to cause people to have a bad time.

Telling people not to update, or worse, attempting to convince them to disable them entirely is dangerous. That’s like telling people not to have the oil in their car changed because the humans doing the work might mess up during the process. Nothing that you’re sharing is helpful to the common user. In fact, it could be very damaging to them. Please think twice before posting extremely one-sided comments.
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ejolson

ThisIsMe said:
Telling people not to update, or worse, attempting to convince them to disable them entirely is dangerous.
The way I see it, people who haven't updated likely have a hardware incompatibility reason for not updating. In this case a forced update to an incompatible version may render the computer unbootable. If not, then update now before the forced updated comes at an inconvenient time.

While an unbootable computer is arguably more secure, unless solely used to play games, unbootable also means less productive.

Currently I'm dealing with a body shop that insists on fixing and repainting an undetectable dent in a door because otherwise the work would not satisfy warranty requirements. My experience is the visual appearance of third-party paint doesn't age well in the desert sun, but never mind that. The relevance here is that Microsoft wants to ensure (likely without warranty) a certain quality of performance and can't do that unless everyone upgrades and patches their Windows.
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