Microsoft typically starts rolling out its annual Windows update around this time of year, and that means the 2025 version is now officially afoot. On Tuesday, the company announced the availability of Windows 11 25H2 to both individuals and organizations. This year, however, the update is designed differently than in the past.

Select the "Check for updates" button. After a short wait, it will list all available updates for your installation. If you see "Upgrade to Windows 11," select "Download and install" to begin its installation. If you see major Windows 10 version updates instead, you may need to apply those first.

Microsoft has released Windows 11 KB5066835 and KB5066793 cumulative updates for versions 25H2/24H2 and 23H2 to fix security vulnerabilities and issues.

Windows 11 version 25H2 just landed as this year’s “2025 Update.” If you’re already on 24H2, this one installs fast because it’s a tiny enablement package rather than a full OS swap. The goal: keep features in lockstep with 24H2 while hardening security and trimming old components.

Rolling out gradually, the 2025 Windows 11 update installs faster than Microsoft's previous annual releases. But there are already a few known issues with it.