How to install Windows 11 22H2 update right now
Microsoft has released the next major update for Windows 11 on the Release Preview channel for Insiders to test it out. Windows 11 Update 22H2 (Build 22621) will be available to stable users around September-October 2022, but if you're itching, you can upgrade to Build 22H2 right now. We have mentioned three ways to install the Windows 11 22H2 update on your PC right now. Neither method will result in data loss or affect your personal files or apps unless you choose to clean install the Windows 11 22H2 Update. On that note, let's go ahead and find out how to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 (also known as Sun Valley 2).
Install the Windows 11 22H2 Update (2022)
In this guide, we have included three different methods to install Windows 11 22H2 on your computer. You can update to Build 22621 through the Release Preview channel, or use the ISO image to install the update directly. Expand the table below and navigate to any section you want.
Upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 through the Release Preview channel
The easiest way to upgrade to Windows 11 is through the Windows Insider Program. Microsoft has already posted the Windows 22H2 update in the Release Preview channel ahead of the General Availability (GA) release, which is likely to take place in October 2022. So if you want to install the next major Windows 11 update right now, follow these steps.
1. First, press the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut “Windows + I” to open the Settings app. Here, click "Privacy and Security" on the left sidebar and navigate to "Diagnostics and Feedback".
2. Now, expand the "Diagnostic data" menu and turn on the "Send optional diagnostic data" radio button. This is now required in order to join the Windows Insider Program.
3. Once done, go to "Windows Update" from the left sidebar and expand the "Windows Insider Program" section at the bottom.
4. Now click "Start".
5. Here, click the "Link Account" button next to "Windows Insider Account". Please note that you will need a Microsoft account to join the Windows Insider Program.
6. Now select the Microsoft account if it is already linked to your PC. Or you can sign in with a Microsoft account. If you don't have a Microsoft account, you can create one using the link here.
7. On the next page, select "Release Preview" and click "Continue". Windows 11 Update 22H2 (Build 22621) is only available in the Release Preview channel.
Note. Sometimes the page freezes after clicking "Continue". In this case, close the Settings app and repeat the same step again. This time it will work.
8. Then click Continue and you will be prompted to reboot your device. Click Restart Now.
9. Once rebooted, open the Settings app and go to Windows Update. Now click "Check for Updates" and wait a bit. You will now be able to install the Windows 11 22H2 update (22621). Click Download and Install.
10. The whole process will take an hour or more depending on your internet speed. After the update is complete, restart your computer. Finally, after rebooting, your computer will be updated to Windows 11 22H2 update. Enjoy!
Upgrading to Windows 11 22H2 using an ISO image
Another way to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 is through the official ISO image. You don't have to enroll your PC in the Windows Insider Program. Using this method, you can simply download the ISO image and upgrade to Windows 11 22H2. Follow the instructions below.
1. First, open this page and sign in with your Microsoft account. After that, open the page again and scroll down. Here, click on the drop-down menu under Select Edition.
2. Select "Windows 11 Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel) - Build 22621" from the list.
3. Then select a language from the next drop-down menu.
4. Finally, download the Windows 11 22H2 ISO (build 22621) directly from the Microsoft website.
5. Once the download is complete, right-click on the ISO image and select Mount.
6. A new folder will open. Here, double click "setup.exe".
7. Windows 11 installer will now open. Here, click Next and Accept the terms. Now it will start downloading some required files.
8. Then click "Install" after reviewing the revision changes and which files you want to keep or not.
9. Windows 11 build 22H2 will now be installed on your computer. The process should take 30 to 45 minutes.
11. Once the update is complete, the installer will restart your computer and walk you through the normal installation process. You will now be upgraded to Windows 11 22H2 before the official launch later this year.
How to clean install Windows 11 22H2 on your computer
1. First, you need to download the Windows 11 22H2 ISO image from the Microsoft website. Go to this page and sign in with your Microsoft account. After that, open the page again, scroll down and click on the drop-down menu under "Select Edition".
2. Here select "Windows 11 Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel) - Build 22621".
3. Then select a language from the drop-down menu.
4. Finally, download the Windows 11 22H2 ISO (build 22621) directly from the Microsoft website.
5. Next, we need to download Rufus to flash the ISO image to a USB drive. Click here to download Rufus.
6. Now open Rufus and connect your USB drive to your computer. Here click "Select" and select Windows 11 22H2 ISO image.
7. After that, click "Start" at the bottom. Before creating a bootable installation disk, make sure you select the correct USB device.
8. After the firmware process is complete, close Rufus and restart your computer. When your computer boots up, keep pressing the download key.
Note. On HP laptops, pressing the Esc key during startup brings up the Startup menu. For other laptops and desktops, you will have to search the Internet for a boot key. It must be one of the following: F12, F9, F10, etc.
9. Now select the USB drive where you burned the Windows 11 22H2 ISO image and press Enter.
10. Then you will boot into the Windows 11 installer. Click Next -> Install now -> I don't have a product key -> Select edition -> Custom.
11. Then select the partition where you want to install Windows 11 and click the Next button. As a rule, this is the "C" drive.
12. And that's it. Your computer will now have the latest Windows 11 22H2 update installed.
13. After installation, when the computer restarts, unplug the USB flash drive and you will boot directly into Windows 11 22H2. Please note that Microsoft has made a change in build 22H2 where even those running the Windows 11 Pro edition need to use a Microsoft online account to complete the onboarding (OOBE) process. To avoid this and create a local account during installation, follow our linked guide.
14. Well, that's all. Windows 11 build 22H2 has been successfully installed and running on your PC. Have fun exploring new features!
Upgrade early to the next big Windows 11 update
So, these are the three methods that will allow you to get the next major Windows 11 update on your PC. And if for some reason you are unable to download build 22621 from the Release Preview channel, we suggest downloading the ISO image and installing the update directly. Anyway, that's pretty much all for this guide. If you want to know the best hidden features of Windows 11, follow our linked guide. And to make Windows 11 lightweight and less resource hungry, check out our article on how to unlock Windows 11. And if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section below.