[Full Breakdown] Windows 11 24H2 Update: Features, System Requirements, and What to Expect

The buzz around this new Windows version is high among IT experts and regular users. Microsoft is making new introductions and implementing changes, from security protocols to experience features. But the update is not without its problems, as it’s been quite a bumpy ride for many users.

I’ll be sharing all the new features, when your computer will receive the update, the issues you might face, and whether installing the new version is the right move.

What Is the Windows 11 24H2 Update?

Windows 11, version 24H2 is one of the biggest updates Microsoft has shipped to Windows 11 since the operating system’s release in 2021. The new update continues Microsoft’s cadence of releasing major Windows updates toward the end of the year. 

The overall operating system still looks the same, but there are now underlying technologies and upgrades intended to make the OS better.

What Is the Windows 11 24H2 Release Date?

The official support period for the program began October 1, 2024. However the people who registered for the Windows Insider program began receiving tiered rollouts in February 2024. Also, not every device will receive the update on October 1, as some systems could receive the updates well into the end of the year or during the first few months of 2025.

My computer could have been one of those but I opted to perform a manual update instead. You can do the same using the Windows Update Assistant, Media Creation Tool, or standalone ISO image file.

Will the Windows 11 24H2 Update Be a Free Upgrade?

Yes, the upgrade is completely free for people who already have Windows licenses.

Is Windows 11, Version 24H2 the New Windows 12?

I covered the speculation surrounding a potential Windows 12 release in detail and why it may be a reality. Many industry insiders believed Microsoft was going to release another Windows operating system but changed its plans along the way.

The main case for the argument was that the company had plans to revert to the timeline of Windows releases before Windows 10. Seeing as it has abandoned its commitment to stick with Windows 10 forever, every hint at a new version made sense.

Those rumors are still hanging over 24H2, as people in the community believe it’s Windows 12 in everything but naming. Others, like me, think 24H2 is laying the groundwork for Windows 12, which we may see in the near future.

New Features and Updates in Windows 11 24H2

Now let’s go through the changes and features you should be expecting when you make the switch to the new version.

Quick Settings panel

Windows 11’s Quick Settings panel, the tray that pops out when you click your battery and network icons, is now more compact and scrollable. Instead of seeing all your icons in one shot, you can scroll to view everything. But the battery, volume, Settings, and brightness options remain in place.

The changes you’ll notice include the following:

• Live captions has been elevated to the top section in the panel.
• The Wi-Fi selection menu has refresh button to load newly available Wi-Fi networks.
• Quick settings now opens faster upon launch. 

That said, you can no longer add or remove quick menu items like before, even though you can move them around. To change an icon’s position, click and hold it, then move it around.

Phone Link

Windows’ phone linking capabilities are gradually getting better in 24H2. Microsoft rolled out a new Manage devices wizard that allows you to turn your phone into your computer’s webcam, get photo notifications, and show your phone in the File Explorer.

The File Explorer feature allows you to access your files like you’re browsing through an external drive. You can copy, rename, move, and even delete files on your phone directly from your computer. While the feature is a great addition, it isn’t quite as fast as other solutions just yet, like Motorola’s Smart Connect app and Samsung’s Dex utility.

That said, you still need to connect your phone using the standalone Phone Link app. Phone Link remains the best way to sync photos, notifications, messages, call lists, and phone calls.

On top of that, Microsoft is debuting a new Phone Link sidebar beside the Start menu. Not everyone will see the feature yet, as it is rolling out to insiders first. It basically lets you see the phone’s battery, status, and certain previews, like recent photos.

Image credit: Windows

Copilot

While the dedicated Copilot app was docked in the right side of the taskbar, Microsoft quietly upgraded it to a stand alone application with floating windows in later versions of 23H2. However, there are minor refreshes and subtractions in 24H2. Copilot is now a mere web app, and it can no longer do things like enable dark mode or start a focus session like its predecessor could. 

You also can’t start the program with the Windows + C shortcut anymore. But one of the good things is that you now have more control. You can move its icon around the taskbar, unpin the icon, and delete the app.

Artificial intelligence

One of the reasons the update is such a big deal is its AI offerings. We extensively covered most of these features in our Copilot+ PC review. They include Windows studio effects, Live captions, image generation, and recall. Most of these features will be exclusive to computers with the Copilot+ PC certification but some, like image generation and Live Captions, made their way to regular systems.

The image generation feature for computers beside Copilot+ PCs resides within the Microsoft Designer feature in the Photos application. 

However, the juicy on-device processing capabilities like Live Translation, will run on computers with NPUs. One disappointment among users is Recall, as it was not available on the Windows 11 24H2 release date like many expected. 

Microsoft’s Windows blog update maintains it will be released sometime in October to Windows Insiders, which means rollout to regular users may still take some time.

File Explorer

The Windows File Explorer will still look the same but it now sports major improvements, from subtle UX enhancements to new features.

• Context menu

Changes in the context menu are a welcome one. We can all agree that replacing the copy, paste, cut, rename, delete, and share options made the context menu cleaner. However, these icons were never intuitive. So Microsoft’s decision to add labels under the icons is a great step in the right direction.

• Zip files

This feature has already been shipped through cumulative updates for the 23H2 build. However, not many people know about it. As it turns out, you can now compress your files and folders using different types of archives, from 7zip to GNU. While Windows does not cover every type of archive out there, you now have more options. 

Right-click the file or folder you want to compress, select Compress to, and choose the archive type you want to use.

You can also select Additional options to open the Create Archive dialog window where you can choose archive format, compression method, and compression level.

Voice Clarity is now Voice Focus

Voice Clarity was quite a big deal when rumors and conversations about Windows 12 and Copilot+ PCs were at their highest. It’s a feature that was supposed to use AI to reduce background noise and improve voice lucidity.

It’s now called Voice Focus and can be accessed by opening your computer’s main audio input device. Here’s how to activate it:

• Go to the Settings app.
• Select System > Sound.
• Open your microphone under Input.

• Now, scroll to the end of the page and turn on the Voice Focus option.

Battery saver is now Energy saver

The erstwhile battery saver feature that worked for only laptops running on batteries is now renamed Energy saver and available on desktop PCs.

Like its name suggests, it reduces system performance to ensure your computer consumes less energy. It is designed to prolong battery life and reduce energy bills when running your PC with power. You can set it to turn on at a specific battery percentage if you use a laptop or choose to keep it on at all times.

The setting is located where you could previously find the former one. Open Settings, select Power & battery, and then expand Energy saver.

There are also more power options on the Power & battery settings window in 24H2. They include Lid, power, & sleep button controls that allow you to choose what pressing your power button and closing your laptop screen does. These settings are still active on the Power Options page when you select Choose what the power buttons do.

Arm improvements

As we expected, Microsoft is not slowing down with its commitment to Arm support. Prism, the emulation layer that helps x86 programs run on Arm-based computers, received major upgrades.

Microsoft indicated that it improved Windows 11, version 24H2 to support emulation for computers powered by Arm-based CPUs, not just the the Snapdragon X-series Copilot+ PCs.

This news should go well with people who hedged their bets on the recently released Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs. While Prism brought significant improvement for x86 app support, this new update takes things further, as users will now experience better performance across the board.

The company is also moving ahead with its plans to withdraw support for 32-bit Arm applications, just like Android and iOS are already doing.

HDR support

Version 24H2 introduced HDR background pictures, which has been absent in Windows. The new feature works well with HDR monitors and allows users to download and add .JXR files as background images. Here’s how to toggle the setting:

• Launch the Settings application.
• Go to the System tab and select Display. You can also right-click your desktop and select Display settings to get here.

• Next, click HDR under Brightness & color.

• You should see under Display capabilities whether your computer supports HDR.

People who have Copilot+ PCs can also enjoy the added advantage of getting dynamic photos that render reactions to mouse movement and other peripheral inputs.

Update mechanism

A new under-the-hood update mechanism also ships with 24H2 that reduces update sizes. Before now, updates shipped with files from every other Windows Update package. This time, however, only files from each update will make up subsequent packages, reducing what users will download.

Wi-Fi 7 support

According to Microsoft’s Wi-FI documentation, Windows 11 will now support Wi-Fi 6. But a small note indicated that the support will only be available from version 24H2.

Microsoft Teams

Teams now has a more unified offering, as it merges all the functions of school, work, and personal activities into one platform. While the new application is being shipped with Windows 24H2, Microsoft will deploy it across the board.

BitLocker

Microsoft announced that BitLocker will be enabled by default once you log into your computer with a Microsoft account. It signals Microsoft’s intention to make the operating system more secure. 

What this means is that you’ll need your BitLocker recovery key if you ever want to use your internal hard drive in another computer. Your computer may also show you a prompt asking you to provide your BitLocker recovery key when you make changes to your BIOS or install firmware updates.

Deprecated applications

Microsoft is also striving to make Windows 11 less bloated, as it excluded erstwhile built-in applications from 24H2. These apps include Mail, Cortana, Calendar, Movies & TV, People, Maps, and Wordpad.

Digital Signatures

Every file now has a Digital Signatures tab in its properties window. It shows details like Name of signer, Digest algorithm, Timestamp, and Catalog Name for embedded and catalog signatures.

New registry Find option

You can now search in registry subtrees instead of the whole registry as it used to be the case. This time, drill down to the tree, then go to Edit or tap Ctrl + F, then check the Search in subtree box before inputting the search parameters.

How to Prepare Your System for Windows 11, Version 24H2 Update

Installing the update through Windows Update should be a seamless experience, as you won’t lose your apps or files. However, you may lose your files and experience some bugs if you choose to install the update manually or go through the insider program.

Users, and Microsoft, have also reported numerous issues that occur during and after installation. I myself experienced some bumps along the way while trying to install the program. As such, you should make the following preparation and consider some precautions before you proceed.

Checking system requirements

The system requirements for Windows 11, version 24H2 is generally the same as Windows 11. So, if your computer currently supports Windows 11, you should be able to update without issues.

However, you must be on Windows 11 23H2 or 22H2 before you can make the switch, as older versions are not supported for the upgrade. Also, people who want to use certain AI features must have computers certified as Copilot+ PCs.

Back up your data

Anything can happen with updates. So it’s always advisable to create backups to avoid losing sensitive files. You can back up to an external drive or use a cloud service.

Also, it will be wise to keep records of your installed apps and drivers if you want to install the update manually. I installed the update using an ISO downloaded from Microsoft’s website and could not bring my applications along.

Keep a detailed note about the apps and drivers versions you’ll have to reinstall to make the transition easier.

Ensure you have ample space

Windows 11, version 24H2 also requires the 64GB free storage space Windows 11 needs. But you’ll still need extra space to allow Windows to first download the update before performing the installation. 

Windows also needs ample free space to create page files, which serve as supplementary memory for computers. Further, some apps need this extra space to store temporary files that will be later deleted.

So, ensure that 25% of your drive’s capacity is empty before starting the update. You can achieve that by deleting temporary files, removing unused applications, and cleaning up the Windows registry. You can also move large files to external hard drives or cloud storage services to make space.

Update your drivers

Updating your entire catalog of device drivers could help you resolve some of the issues faced by most users during installation. The update often gets stuck when there are application conflicts. In some cases, you won’t see the update in the Settings application until certain drivers are up to date.

For example, outdated Intel SST audio drivers have been reported to cause blue screen errors after installation.

Further reading: Auslogics Driver Updater: How to Update Drivers in One Click!

Troubleshooting Windows 11 24H2 Update Issues

Windows 11, version 24H2 has been fraught with numerous problems since its release. One would think that Microsoft has ironed out most of the potential issues since it began rolling out the update in February 2024.

But users have faced installation, stability, and conflict issues since the mainstream rollout. These glitches have forced the company to pause updates for many systems since. Microsoft’s Release Health webpage also covers these errors and glitches in detail.

Let’s cover the most serious problems and what you can do if you experience them.

Windows 11 24H2 won’t install

Some computers, especially ASUS devices, reportedly crashed with blue screen errors during updates. Microsoft, in collaboration with ASUS, found that the X515KA and X415KA models were the systems mostly affected by the bug.

According to the company, the issue is due to “compatibility with certain hardware components.”

The advice to users with these models and other ASUS devices is to refrain from manually upgrading their systems until they receive notices through Windows Update.

Windows 11 24H2 update is stuck

A lot of users expressed that their updates always got stuck at some point and refused to install. In some cases, the computer stays at a certain percentage over a long period and restarts without completing the installation.

This particular problem seems to be pretty widespread, and I experienced it myself while trying to install my package using the Windows Update Assistant.

One of the most effective fixes is using the ISO image like I did. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Windows 11 24H2 download webpage.
2. Scroll to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices section.
3. Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices) in the drop-down menu.
4. Hit the Download button.
5. The download may take a while depending on your signal strength, as the ISO is nearly 6 GB in size.
6. After the file downloads, go to your Downloads folder and double-click it.
7. After it mounts as a DVD, double-click the setup file to start the installation.

Issues after installation

Problems also happen after successful installations. Microsoft’s dedicated page for known issues covers most of these glitches and provides explanations. But you can also experience bugs not listed there.

Camera causing application conflicts

This bug prevents people from using built-in computer webcams, especially on laptops. According to Microsoft, it happens when certain face and object detection features like Windows hello are enabled. People are unable to use the Camera app or sign into their system using Windows Hello.

Microsoft is pausing updates for device models where these problems have been experienced. But people who have already installed the update can make do with external cameras or return to 23H2 until Microsoft resolves the problem.

Here’s how to return to your previous Windows build:

• Open the Settings app by tapping the Win + I shortcut.
• Select System on the left sidebar, scroll down, and click Recovery.

• Go to the Recovery options section and click the Go back button.

• Follow the instructions in the wizard that pops up to complete the process.

Disk Cleanup glitches

People who use the Disk Cleanup utility to clear temporary files might see wrong estimates regarding drive space that can be cleaned. The total amount shows up right under the Files to delete box.

Microsoft released an update (KB5044384) on October 24 to address the problem. Future updates are also planned to completely eliminate the issue.

Easy Anti-Cheat issues

Easy Anti-Cheat application is a software program that is automatically installed alongside certain games for cheat prevention. As it turns out, running games that preload Easy Anti-Cheat triggers a response freeze and blue screen error (mostly MEMORY_MANAGEMENT) that crashes the system. 

The issue tends to mostly affect Intel’s Alder Lake+ CPUs and computers running Easy Anti-Cheat drivers published prior to April 2024. 

The solution involves updating the games that cause the blue screen issue. You can do so through your game launcher, such as Epic Games Launcher and Steam. You can also visit the website of the game’s developer to learn the update process.

Driver problems after manual installation

If you installed the update using the ISO file or media creation tool, the setup may not show you an option to keep your apps. You’ll be prompted to only keep personal files or wipe everything. Either option will strip your installed applications and drivers.

On the other side of the process, you may experience serious driver issues like I did. I particularly couldn’t get my sound card to work, and my Realtek driver installation always returned an error.

You could experience other driver issues, from microphone to Wi-Fi issues. According to Microsoft, outdated Intel Smart Sound technology drivers cause blue screens for some users whose systems are powered by 11th Gen processors. 

Resolving the problem involves installing the right driver update. Microsoft also advised users who have not installed 24H2 to update their Intel SST drivers before heading to the Windows Update utility.

If you still want to go the manual route, uninstall the driver whose device doesn’t work before installing the update. Ensure you install the update before restarting your computer. For people using Realtek audio drivers, here’s what to do:

• Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
• After the Device Manager window opens, go to Sound, video, and game controller.
• Right-click Realtek Audio and select Uninstall device.

• Check the Attempt to remove driver for this device box and click Uninstall.

• Do not restart your computer.
• Go to Realtek’s website to download the latest driver and install it.
• Now you can reboot your PC.

Issues with third-party applications

Certain third-party programs and games, such as Voicemeter, wallpaper customization apps, and the Safe Exam web browser, also caused problems for many users. In most cases, Microsoft is working on resolutions with app developers.

If you’re affected, it should be a short time before subsequent updates are delivered to rectify these problems.

What Is the Community Saying about the Windows 11 24H2 Update?

Users, experts, and reviewers have not held back on their assessments and complaints about Windows 11’s latest updates. When it comes to the “stuck installation” problems, I saw reports on Microsoft help forum and Reddit about updates stuck at 91% in some cases and 25% in others.

ZDNET’s contributor, Lance Whitney, also listed other problems plaguing many users, such as a System File Checker bug, disappearing mouse pointers, and internet connection problems.

Generally, these issues have overshadowed the spectacle of the new features and Microsoft’s promises of better performance and power efficiency.

Should You Skip the Windows 11 24H2 Download?

For now, yes. There are just too many issues to saddle yourself with at the moment. The features and changes your system will receive are not worth the potential problems you may run into.

If you haven’t received an over-the-air package, I would suggest putting a pin in downloading and installing manually. I was lucky to have a software program that could deal with my driver issues, but I still had other problems with reinstalling my deleted applications and cleaning up disk space.

Even if you get the prompt to perform the update via the Windows Update client, it would be best to wait until Microsoft straightens out the major problems with the Windows version, especially if you’re a gamer.

Granted, most of the bugs are tied to Intel devices and specific programs. But you still don’t know what may arise.

Conclusion: What to Expect in Windows 11 24H2 Update

Your computer will look the same at first glance, until you start noticing subtle changes to File Explorer, the Quick Settings menu, and the Settings application. My experience has been swell so far, but the initial moments were a nightmare because I thought for a moment that I had broken my computer.

Ensure you backup your system before installing the update to keep the door open on returning to the previous version. You should also keep programs like Auslogics Driver Updater close so you can tackle potential driver problems.

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