Are you planning to update to Windows 11 24H2? You may want to take a snack, as Microsoft admits this can take a very long time
Windows 11 24H2 is off to a somewhat shaky start – a number of bugs have been discovered, although thankfully no major blunders (yet) – but one thing to keep in mind is that it can take quite a while for the upgrade to complete. install.
There is an official Reddit thread detailing what features and changes users can expect with version 24H2 of Windows 11, as well as a frequently asked questions section. And on the latter point, Microsoft admits that 24H2 can be very slow when it comes to installation time.
Microsoft notes: “This is a significantly larger update than the regular monthly updates you’ve been installing until now. In some cases, installation may take several hours, so be patient! You don’t have to babysit it and you can continue to use your computer for most of the installation.”
As mentioned, you can continue to use your PC while the installation process continues in the background. At least that’s what Microsoft assures us, although performance will sometimes be affected to some extent. And of course, once the update is done, you’ll have to endure a bunch of running circles and multiple restarts where you won’t be able to do anything (at least with your PC).
What’s the secret to a great installation? Time
If you want a rough idea of installation times, there is a report from PC World which one tested how long it takes to install Windows 11 24H2 on different laptops. While noting that Microsoft describes 24H2 as a “complete OS change” to underline how noticeably bigger it is than previous updates, PC World recorded installation times ranging from just over an hour to an hour and 45 minutes. A total of four laptops were tested, with the average time required for these devices being approximately one and a half hours. So yes, that’s longer than most people are used to – especially these days.
PC World notes that, as you might expect, older laptops generally take longer to update, and I second the recommendation that you set aside some time in the day (an hour or two) if you want to update to version 24H2 . Time when you can at least continue to look at your PC and keep an eye on it as it updates.
Windows 11 24H2 is currently being rolled out in phases and gradually, and when it’s your device’s turn, the upgrade should be offered automatically. However, you can continue to manually search for it in Windows Update if you wish.