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SamiraRuhi's avatar
SamiraRuhi
Iron Contributor
Jul 08, 2025

How can I upgrade Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2 without losing data?

Hi all,

My HP EliteBook 820 G3 laptop is powered by Windows 11 24H2 and I heard a few folks managing to install Windows 11 25H2 on their devices. However, there is no upgrade notice on my laptop yet. How can I upgrade windows 11 24h2 to 25h2 without losing data? The hardware specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core i5 (6th Gen) 6200U
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2)
  • Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520

6 Replies

  • Tawaom's avatar
    Tawaom
    Iron Contributor

    Windows updates often bring new features, tweaks, or visual enhancements that make your experience better or more fun. Upgrading Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2 is generally safe—Microsoft tests these updates quite thoroughly. Usually, the main thing to watch out for is making sure you back up your stuff just in case something weird happens during the upgrade. I’ve done a bunch of Windows updates myself, and most of the time, they go smooth as butter.

    That said, if your PC is running fine and you’ve got enough free space and updates are coming from official sources, you’re probably good to go. Just make sure your system is stable before updating Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2—no weird crashes or errors beforehand—and keep a backup of your important files, just in case.

    In short: it’s usually safe, but always good to be cautious and prepare a little. If your PC is behaving normally and you’ve got a backup, you’re probably good to upgrade without worries.

  • DannyBeaven's avatar
    DannyBeaven
    Iron Contributor

    While the Intel Core i5-6200U doesn’t meet the official requirements for Windows 11, it’s entirely possible to install it using registry hacks or tools like WiinBootMate. The process is relatively safe, but proceed with caution and always back up your files.

    WiinBootMate is widely regarded as the best tool for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware because it offers built-in options to bypass Microsoft's system requirements, such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and CPU restrictions.

    When creating a bootable USB with WiinBootMate using the Windows 11 ISO, users can select an bypass option that automatically removes these limitations. This eliminates the need for complicated manual registry edits or script-based hacks, making the process faster, safer, and more accessible, especially for users who may not be comfortable modifying system files or settings.

    This is one of the best ways to upgrade Windows 1 24H2 to Windows 25h2 without losing data. You can try out by yourself!

  • Intel Core i5 6200U processor is not supported Windows 11 25H2 for sure. Installing Windows 11 on a PC with an Intel Core i5-6200U (6th Gen) processor requires skipping the official system requirements, as this CPU is incompatible by default. However, many users have successfully installed Windows 11 on unsupported hardware using workarounds.

    How to upgrade windows 11 24H2 to 25H2 If you're already running Windows 10:

    1. Mount the downloaded Windows 11 ISO.

    2. Run setup install wizard.

    3. Accept the license.

    4. When prompted, click "Change how Setup downloads updates", choose Not right now.

    5. If you get a warning about unsupported hardware, please patch the appraiserrres.dll file (advanced users).

    Notes

    Microsoft allows upgrades on unsupported hardware but may block future updates or deny support.

    You may see a watermark in Settings or on the desktop stating "System requirements not met".

    Performance should be adequate for general use, but not ideal for gaming or heavy tasks.

  • Feynmanliw's avatar
    Feynmanliw
    Iron Contributor

    To upgrade Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2 without losing data, here are some important considerations and steps:

    Important Notes:
    Compatibility: Your device's hardware, especially an older CPU (6th Gen Intel i5) and TPM 1.2, may limit compatibility with newer Windows 11 versions, which often require TPM 2.0 and newer hardware features.
    Official Support: Windows updates are typically rolled out gradually and depend on hardware compatibility. If Microsoft hasn't officially offered the 25H2 update for your device, manual upgrades may pose risks.

    To upgrade Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2. The safest way is to wait until Microsoft officially offers the 25H2 update for your device.
    If you decide to proceed manually:
    1. Backup your data.
    2. Use the ISO and run an in-place upgrade.
    3. Consider registry tweaks to bypass unsupported hardware checks.
    4. Be aware that unsupported upgrades might lead to stability or security issues.

    Don't forget to Post-Upgrade Checks
    * After installation, verify system stability.
    * Check Device Manager for driver issues.
    * Update drivers from HP support site if available.

  • Barbiewan's avatar
    Barbiewan
    Iron Contributor

    How to upgrade Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2 without losing data?

    1. Check for Compatibility
    Use the PC Health Check app: Download from Microsoft's official site to verify if your device meets Windows 11 25H2 requirements.
    Key requirements for Windows 11 25H2 may include:
    * TPM 2.0 (your device has TPM 1.2; this may prevent official upgrade)
    * Secure Boot enabled
    * Compatible CPU (your 6th Gen CPU may not be officially supported)

    Conclusion: Your hardware may not meet the official requirements, which can block the upgrade via Windows Update.

    2. If your device is compatible or you choose to proceed
    Note: Proceeding with unsupported hardware may cause stability issues. Consider this carefully.

    3. Methods to Upgrade Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2
    A. Use Windows Update (if the upgrade becomes available)
    Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
    If 25H2 is available, you'll see a prompt to upgrade.

    B. Manual Upgrade via Media Creation Tool
    Download the Windows 11 ISO for 25H2 from Microsoft
    Use the Media Creation Tool or create a bootable USB.
    * Run the setup from within your current Windows environment:
    Double-click the ISO or run setup.exe from the mounted ISO.
    Choose "Upgrade this PC now".
    Follow prompts to upgrade Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2, ensuring "Keep personal files and apps" is selected.

    This method upgrades without removing your data but always back up first.

    4. Bypass Compatibility Checks
    * Modify Registry to bypass TPM and CPU checks:
    Warning: This is unsupported and may cause stability issues.
    Before proceeding, back up your registry.
    * Create a registry key:
    Open Registry Editor (regedit)
    Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
    Create a new key: LabConfig
    * Inside LabConfig, create DWORD values:
    BypassTPMCheck = 1
    BypassSecureBootCheck = 1
    BypassCPUCheck = 1
    Run the Windows 11 installation media setup again.

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