Windows 11 23H2 is around the corner

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PATCH WATCH By Susan Bradley The 23H2 release of Windows 11 is coming soon. Don’t panic — you can defer. But before its release, you should be prepare
[See the full post at: Windows 11 23H2 is around the corner]

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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abbodi86, krism, lmacri, rbailin, fisher75

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Hi Susan

I may have got it wrong but do you mean Windows 11 22H2 when you “recommend downloading and keeping a copy of the Windows 11 23H2 ISO from Microsoft’s download site.”?

At the moment the Mocrosoft’s Download Windows 11 website is offering Current release: Windows 11 2022 Update l Version 22H2.

According to Eleven Forum – Download Official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft, the Download Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft will be for Windows 11 Version 22H2 Build 22621.1702 ISO file with install.wim.

2 users thanked author for this post.

fisher75, b

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Clearly I need new glasses.  It’s 22H2 I want you to download and keep for a rainy day.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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It’s 22H2 I want you to download and keep for a rainy day.

May want to act soon on the 22H2 ISO download. Word is out that 23H2 ISO will be publicly available soon. Could tomorrow be the day?

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Hi, As per Susan’s advice I downloaded the Windows 11 22H2 ISO from Microsoft. When I try to transfer to a USB the message appears that the file is too big for the USB (which is isn’t)- the USB is FAT32. If I format the USB to exFAT or NTFS and transfer the ISO from the PC to the USB, will that work if I need to install Windows at a later date or does the USB need further action before transferring the ISO? Also, the ISO download only offers English (US) or English (International). For those of us in the UK, which should we choose – the Windows Media Creation tool offers English UK.

Thanks for your help, Jim.

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The maximum file size for FAT32 is 4GB.

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English (International) is the surprising but correct choice for the UK.

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Thanks. So can I just format the USB to exFAT or NTFS and copy the ISO over for it to work or does anything else need to be done to the drive? I was also unsure about the language to select for the UK as the ISO choice doesn’t include UK English but the Media Creation Tool does? Location in Settings is obviously UK.

Thanks again.

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Does this work? If all they offer is the Media Creation Tool, download it and use it to create the ISO. To get one that works for all, choose “settings not for this PC” and “create ISO.”

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/

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PKCano wrote:

Does this work?

That works if one first mounts the ISO, then copies the folders/files to a USB.

PKCano wrote:

If all they offer is the Media Creation Tool, download it and use it to create the ISO.

The ISO download is indeed offered, and it includes the 12 versions.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

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23H2 officially released – October 31; on Halloween (NOT a trick)

https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-releases-windows-11-version-23h2/

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https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/10/31/how-to-get-the-windows-11-2023-update/

..Consumers with eligible devices running Windows 11, version 22H2 who are interested in experiencing these new enhancements when they are available, can choose to do so by opening Settings > Windows Update, turning on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available,” and selecting “Check for updates” ..

* Windows 11 eligible devices on Windows 11, version 21H1 require a full operating system (OS) swap to update to Windows 11, version 23H2.

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I downloaded the 23H2 ISO from Microsoft, stripped out the other versions down to just Windows 11 Pro, mounted it in a separate NVMe SSD and ran Setup.exe to upgrade the B side of my dual boot.

Three restarts and a fairly long “Hi.” experience, now running Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2428).  Seems to me that there was a bit more going on than simply enabling extant code.

No hiccups.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

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Now you need to install KB5027397

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#2599766

And I already had it.  My B side is now at 22631.2506 after installing KB5031455.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

Alex5723

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bbearren wrote:

… ran Setup.exe to upgrade the B side of my dual boot.

The A side was a very different story.  KB5031455 would not install.  It kept being presented in Windows Update, would go through 30%, reboot, go to 35%, reboot, get started again and then “something” didn’t go right, and it would back out.

I tried downloading and running the standalone installer, but got similar results.  I did all the /restorehealth and /startcomponentcleanup and sfc /scannow, all with good outcome, but KB5031455 would not install.  Period.  I got a feeling like I had with this post from over 8 years ago.  And yes, the same A side that was upgraded from Windows 7 Ultimate.  So I started marching back through time with drive images.

Still no luck, so I tried a repair/re-install.  That also balked.  So I tried for a fresh Windows 11 Pro 22H2 ISO from UUP dump.  Another balk.  Then I realized that I was assembling the ISO on the A side, and if the DISM tool was corrupted (of which UUP makes extensive use), perhaps that was also corrupting my ISO.

I rebooted to the B side, and recreated the ISO from there.  Then I rebooted back into the A side, mounted the ISO, copied the folders/files to a separate folder, and tried again.  I got a repair, but not a complete one.  StartAllBack was flashing a warning to hit Esc to stop it from loading, so I did.  Then it told me that StartAllBack was not the reason I was crashing, and after a couple of times I finally got it to boot.  File Explorer would open and display folders, but wouldn’t open any of the folders.  The Windows 11 Start Menu would open, but only partially work.

I restored the drive image I had used previously, uninstalled StartAllBack, then tried the repair/re-install again.  Success!  Everything worked again.  I stayed with the Windows 11 Start Menu long enough to de-bloat the upgrade, then re-installed StartAllBack.  Next I used the enablement package Susan had posted to get up to 23H2, then O&O ShutUp10 to revert 24 changes.  All is well with my dual boot daily driver once more.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

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Why do you need an A side and a B side? Seems like more trouble than it’s worth.

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b wrote:

Why do you need an A side and a B side? Seems like more trouble than it’s worth.

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don’t need anyone’s approval, and we don’t all have to do the same things.

bbearren wrote:

Still no luck, so I tried a repair/re-install. That also balked. So I tried for a fresh Windows 11 Pro 22H2 ISO from UUP dump. Another balk. Then I realized that I was assembling the ISO on the A side, and if the DISM tool was corrupted (of which UUP makes extensive use), perhaps that was also corrupting my ISO. I rebooted to the B side, and recreated the ISO from there. Then I rebooted back into the A side, mounted the ISO, copied the folders/files to a separate folder, and tried again.

Instead of going to another PC to create a viable ISO, I just went to the other side of the PC I was already using, and didn’t have to use sneaker-net to transfer any files.  For me, it’s not any trouble, but worth a great deal for the tinkerin’ I enjoy doing.  What I learn from one side I can either use or avoid on the other, and vice versa.  I’ve been dual booting my daily driver since Windows XP.

 

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

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Windows 11 23H2 require KB5027397 on top of KB5031455.

Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. Therefore, the new features in Windows 11, version 23H2 are included in the latest monthly quality update for Windows 11, version 22H2 but are in an inactive and dormant state. These new features will remain dormant until they are turned on through the “enablement package,” a small, quick-to-install “master switch” that activates the Windows 11, version 23H2 features.

The enablement package is a great option for installing a scoped feature update like Windows 11, version 23H2 as it enables an update from version 22H2 to version 23H2 with a single restart, reducing update downtime. This enables devices to take advantage of new features now. For version 22H2 devices that receive updates directly from Windows Update, devices automatically get the enablement package by installing the feature update to Windows 11, version 23H2. .

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Windows 11 KB5031455 Moment 4 update is causing various issues for some users

..Going through Reddit and Microsoft Feedback Hub, it looks like most of the users are facing installation issues with a variety of errors like 0x800f081f, 0x8007007e, 0x8000ffff, 0x800f0984, and 0x80073701. Unfortunately, it looks like the issues extend to Update Catalog as well with users saying that the installation froze even when using the update package from Microsoft’s Update Catalog.

More worryingly, there have been reports stating that individuals are not able to rollback if the installation is stuck or if they are facing issues with the update. According to posts on both Reddit and Microsoft Feedback Hub, users are getting stuck in a rollback loop where Windows tries to install the update and then tries to roll it back when the update fails…

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FYI

According to Ghacks – Media Creation Tool won’t offer Windows 11 2023 Update for a couple of weeks , the Media Creation Tool is still creating Windows 11 version 22H2 ISO or USB instead of the latest Windows 11 version 23H2 :

“Windows administrators who download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website expect to download Windows 11 version 23H2, as it is listed at the top of the page. It states, at the very top “Download Windows 11 (Current release: Windows 11 2023 Update l Version 23H2).

Problem is, the Media Creation Tool can’t be used to download the latest version of Windows 11, as it still delivers Windows 11 version 22H2 when used.

When asked about it on Twitter, Microsoft employee Gabe Frost provided the following answer: “There’s a package size optimization underway for 23H2 with MCT. Rough ETA is a couple weeks ~11/15”

Microsoft expects to update the Media Creation Tool in about two weeks, so that it delivers the Windows 11 version 23H2 feature update to users who run it.”

The tutorials at Eleven Forum – Download Latest Windows 11 ISO using Media Creation Tool and Eleven Forum – Create Windows 11 Bootable USB Installation Media with Media Creation Tool may be of assistance for folks who have not yet downloaded the Windows 11 22H2 ISO.

 

HTH.

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FYI

This is the DISM output for Windows 22H2 ISO created by the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 website just now:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3570]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:F:\sources\install.esd /index:1

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.19041.3570

Details for image : F:\sources\install.esd

Index : 1
Name : Windows 11 Home
Description : Windows 11 Home
Size : 16,509,169,302 bytes
WIM Bootable : No
Architecture : x64
Hal : <undefined>
Version : 10.0.22621
ServicePack Build : 1702
ServicePack Level : 0
Edition : Core
Installation : Client
ProductType : WinNT
ProductSuite : Terminal Server
System Root : WINDOWS
Directories : 24682
Files : 106166
Created : 5/5/2023 – 9:09:25 PM
Modified : 4/11/2023 – 2:18:23 PM
Languages :
en-US (Default)

The operation completed successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>

HTH.

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FYI

The Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 website is still creating the Windows 11 22H2 ISO as at 15Nov2023 (UTC 0.57am) and the DISM ouput :

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.3693]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:F:\sources\install.esd /index:1

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.19041.3636

Details for image : F:\sources\install.esd

Index : 1
Name : Windows 11 Home
Description : Windows 11 Home
Size : 16,509,169,302 bytes
WIM Bootable : No
Architecture : x64
Hal : <undefined>
Version : 10.0.22621
ServicePack Build : 1702
ServicePack Level : 0
Edition : Core
Installation : Client
ProductType : WinNT
ProductSuite : Terminal Server
System Root : WINDOWS
Directories : 24682
Files : 106166
Created : 5/5/2023 – 9:09:25 PM
Modified : 15/11/2023 – 8:57:56 AM
Languages :
en-US (Default)

The operation completed successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>

 

Don’t know how much longer this will remain so before Microsoft update the tool.

HTH.

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FYI

The Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 website has been updated to offer and create Windows 11 version 23H2 build 22631.2715 ISO or USB media:

Eleven Forum – Windows 11 version 23H2 build 22631.2715 now available to download as ISO or USB with MCT.

HTH.

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vnffrmpn wrote:

According to Ghacks – Media Creation Tool won’t offer Windows 11 2023 Update for a couple of weeks , the Media Creation Tool is still creating Windows 11 version 22H2 ISO or USB instead of the latest Windows 11 version 23H2 :

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/microsoft-365-copilot-is-upon-us/page/2/#post-2600042

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