Windows 11 25H2 Not Showing on Windows 10? 8 Ways to Fix It

Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs. However, some users report Windows 11 25H2 Not Showing in Windows Update, even though their PC is relatively new or they believe it meets Microsoft’s system requirements. Since Windows 10 has reached the end of support, resolving this issue is important to keep your PC secure and up to date.

There are several reasons why Windows 11 25H2 may not be offered. Your PC may not fully meet the hardware requirements, TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot could be disabled, Windows Update might not be working correctly, or Microsoft may have placed a temporary compatibility hold on your device to prevent known upgrade issues.

In this guide, we’ll explain why Windows 11 25H2 isn’t showing on your Windows 10 PC and walk you through the steps to check your PC’s eligibility, remove common upgrade blockers, and safely install the update using Microsoft’s official tools, if available for your device.

If you can’t see the windows 11 25H2 update on windows 10 device, it may be because your device is not compatible, not ready, or has some issues with Windows updates.

Why Is Windows 11 25H2 Not Showing on Windows 10?

Microsoft only offers major feature updates to devices that meet specific hardware requirements and do not have known compatibility issues. So if your device isn’t ready, the update simply won’t appear in Windows Update.

Here are the most common reasons Windows 11 25H2 is not being offered on a Windows 10 computer:

• Your PC doesn’t meet Windows 11 system requirements, such as a supported processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or sufficient storage.
• Windows 10 isn’t fully up to date, preventing your PC from receiving the latest feature upgrade.
• Microsoft has enabled a compatibility safeguard on your device due to a known issue with certain drivers, hardware, or installed software.
• Windows Update components are corrupted or not working correctly, preventing your PC from detecting available upgrades.
• Insufficient free storage space on the system drive to download and prepare the update.
• Third-party antivirus, VPN, or system optimization software is interfering with the Windows Update process.

The good news is that most of these issues can be identified in just a few minutes. Start with the quick checklist below before moving on to the detailed troubleshooting steps.

1. Check If Your PC Is Eligible for Windows 11

Before trying any advanced troubleshooting, make sure your computer officially supports Windows 11. If your PC doesn’t meet Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements, Windows Update won’t offer the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade.

The easiest way to verify compatibility is by using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app.

1. Download and install the PC Health Check app from Microsoft’s official website.
2. Open the app and click Check now.
3. Wait a few seconds while Windows scans your device.

If your PC is compatible, you’ll see a message confirming it meets the requirements for Windows 11. In that case, continue with the next solutions below.

If the app reports that your PC isn’t eligible, note the reason before proceeding. The most common causes include:

• An unsupported processor
• TPM 2.0 is missing or disabled
• Secure Boot is disabled
• Not enough available storage
• Legacy BIOS instead of UEFI

If your PC has an unsupported processor or other hardware that doesn’t meet Microsoft’s requirements, Windows Update won’t offer the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade. While it’s possible to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware using unofficial methods, it isn’t recommended, as future updates and long-term stability can’t be guaranteed.

2. Verify That TPM 2.0 Is Enabled

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 is one of the mandatory security requirements for Windows 11. If TPM is disabled or unavailable, Windows Update won’t offer the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade, even if the rest of your hardware is compatible.

To check whether TPM 2.0 is enabled:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type tpm.msc and click OK.
3. In the TPM Management window, check the Status and Specification Version.

Your PC is ready for Windows 11 if you see:

• Status: The TPM is ready for use
• Specification Version: 2.0

If you receive a message such as “Compatible TPM cannot be found” or the specification version is 1.2, Windows won’t offer the Windows 11 upgrade.

What to do if TPM is disabled

Many modern computers include TPM 2.0, but it’s disabled by default in the BIOS/UEFI settings.

1. Restart your PC and enter the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings.
2. Look for a setting named TPM, Intel PTT, or AMD fTPM, depending on your processor.
3. Enable the feature, save the changes, and restart your computer.

After Windows starts, run tpm.msc again to confirm TPM 2.0 is enabled, then check Windows Update to see if the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade is now available.

3. Make Sure Secure Boot Is Enabled

In addition to TPM 2.0, Windows 11 also requires Secure Boot to help protect your PC from malware and unauthorized software during startup. If Secure Boot is disabled, Windows Update may not offer the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade.

Here’s how to check if Secure Boot is enabled:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
3. In the System Information window, look for the following entries:
   • BIOS Mode: UEFI
   • Secure Boot State: On

If Secure Boot State shows Off, or your PC is using Legacy BIOS, Windows 11 won’t be offered through Windows Update.

How to enable Secure Boot

Secure Boot is enabled in your computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart your PC, enter the BIOS, locate the Secure Boot option, and enable it. Save the changes, restart your computer, and then check Windows Update again.

Note: Secure Boot requires your PC to boot in UEFI mode. If your system is using Legacy BIOS (CSM), you may need to convert the system disk from MBR to GPT before Secure Boot can be enabled. If you’re unsure how to do this, don’t make any changes until you’ve backed up your important files.

Once Secure Boot is enabled, return to Settings > Windows Update and check whether the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade is now available.

4. Install the Latest Windows 10 Updates

Before Microsoft offers the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade, your PC should be running the latest available version of Windows 10. Important servicing and compatibility updates help prepare your device for a smooth upgrade experience.

To check for updates:

1. Open Settings and select Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Download and install all available updates, including optional Windows updates.
4. Restart your computer if prompted.

After your PC restarts, open Windows Update again and click Check for updates one more time. If your device is eligible and no compatibility issues are detected, Windows 11 25H2 may now appear as an available upgrade.

Tip: If Windows Update shows an error or fails to install updates, skip ahead to the Windows Update Troubleshooter and Reset Windows Update Components sections later in this guide, then check for the upgrade again.

5. Check for a Microsoft Compatibility Hold

If your PC meets all the Windows 11 requirements but the 25H2 update still isn’t available, Microsoft may have placed a compatibility hold on your device.

A compatibility hold (also called a safeguard hold) is a temporary block that prevents the upgrade from being offered to devices affected by known issues. These issues may involve specific hardware, device drivers, or installed applications that could cause problems after upgrading to Windows 11.

In most cases, you don’t need to do anything. Microsoft removes compatibility holds after the issue has been resolved through a Windows update, driver update, or software update.

However, you can check for possible compatibility issues by following these steps:

• Install all available Windows updates, including optional updates.
• Update your graphics, chipset, storage, and network drivers from your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website.
• Update or uninstall software that may cause compatibility problems, such as outdated antivirus programs, disk utilities, or virtualization software.
• Restart your PC and check Windows Update again.

If Windows Update displays a message such as “This PC doesn’t currently meet the system requirements for Windows 11” or “The Windows 11 upgrade is on its way to your device”, it’s best to wait until Microsoft removes the compatibility hold rather than forcing the upgrade.

Tip: Avoid using unofficial registry edits or bypass methods to install Windows 11 while a compatibility hold is in place. These safeguards are designed to prevent upgrade failures, driver issues, and system instability.

6. Make Sure You Have Enough Free Storage Space

Although Windows 11 requires at least 64 GB of storage, you’ll need additional free space for Windows Update to download, extract, and install the upgrade. If your system drive is nearly full, Windows 11 25H2 may not appear, or the upgrade may fail to install.

To check your available storage:

1. Open Settings and go to System > Storage.
2. Check the available space on your C: drive.

For the best upgrade experience, try to keep at least 20 GB of free space available on the system drive.

If you’re running low on storage, you can:

• Delete temporary files using Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup.
• Uninstall apps and games you no longer use.
• Move large files, such as videos and photos, to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Empty the Recycle Bin to recover additional space.

After freeing up storage, restart your PC and check Windows Update again to see if the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade is available.

7. Disable Conflicting Software

Some third-party applications can interfere with Windows Update and prevent feature updates from being offered or installed. This is most commonly seen with older antivirus programs, VPN clients, virtualization software, or system optimization tools that modify Windows services.

Before making any changes, restart your PC and close all unnecessary applications. Then, if you’re using any of the following software, temporarily disable or uninstall it:

• Third-party antivirus or internet security software
• VPN or proxy applications
• Disk management or system optimization tools
• Outdated virtualization software

After disabling the software, restart your computer and go to Settings > Windows Update. Click Check for updates to see if the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade is now available.

Note: If the update appears after disabling a program, reinstall or re-enable it only after the Windows 11 upgrade has completed successfully.

8. Upgrade Using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

If your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements but the 25H2 upgrade still doesn’t appear in Windows Update, you don’t have to wait. Microsoft provides the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, an official tool that upgrades eligible Windows 10 PCs to the latest version of Windows 11 without waiting for Windows Update to offer it.

Before you begin:

• Back up your important files.
• Make sure your PC is connected to a stable internet connection.
• Ensure at least 20 GB of free space is available on the system drive.
• Keep your laptop plugged into a power source during the upgrade.

To upgrade using the Installation Assistant:

• Visit Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page.
• Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

• Run the tool and accept the license agreement.
• The assistant will check whether your PC is eligible for Windows 11.
• If your device is compatible, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Windows 11 25H2.

The upgrade usually takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on your hardware and internet speed. During the installation, your PC will restart several times.

Important: The Installation Assistant only works on PCs that officially meet Windows 11 system requirements. If your device has an unsupported processor or doesn’t meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements, the tool won’t allow you to continue.

If the Installation Assistant also reports that your PC isn’t eligible, review the earlier sections of this guide to verify your system requirements, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot settings before attempting the upgrade again.

conclusion

If Windows 11 25H2 isn’t showing in Windows Update, the problem is usually related to compatibility requirements, TPM or Secure Boot settings, a temporary safeguard hold, or an outdated Windows 10 installation. By checking each of these areas in order, you can quickly determine why the upgrade isn’t being offered. If your PC is eligible and Windows Update still doesn’t display the upgrade, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant is the safest and quickest way to install the latest version.

Frequently Asked Questions