MS Windows 25H2

 

Anyone have feedback for Windows 11 25H2 release?

Longer update cycle

Far more of a tame update relative to the 24H2 mess, update literally took less than 5 minutes and I haven't noticed any difference that will affect me other than the deprecation of WMIC which I used semi-often.

If you have 24H2

…version 25H2 is an incremental update and isn’t a full system update. So the update is relatively quick and features for the most part are unchanged.

--
John from PA

Quick but possibly NOT Painless

John from PA wrote:

So the update is relatively quick...

Unless your device isn't eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade and you've still performed the upgrade. Upgrade in place using a USB drive is required in that case.

Fortunately, my primary laptops are eligible for the upgrade. I have a couple however that are not but are still very capable in 2025.

--
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams

who is that available. Mine

who is that available. Mine is still updating 24H2

Mine too

ruggb wrote:

who is that available. Mine is still updating 24H2

Same here, says I am up date date with 24H2

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

25H2 enablement package

24H2 is updated to 25H2 through a rollout of an enablement package. Everything is "in" 24H2, it just needs to be enabled. There is some indications on a few reliable sources that say the actual rollout of the enablement package will occur on 14 October.

More related content on the update can be found at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5054156-feature-...

--
John from PA

Chit Chat

I have to admit, I am set in my ways and pretty much just use the items I am familiar with in Windows. I am glad for the security updates, but I do not change anything about how I use Windows with each new update.

--
Dudlee

25H2 Enablement Package

I had already upgraded my Lenovo laptop (supported hardware) and Lenovo desktop (unsupported hardware) from Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2 several months ago. I used one of the Registry work-arounds to upgrade the desktop.

Last week, I used the 25H2 Enablement Package and successfully updated both machines with no problems.

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

Search fu failure

John from PA wrote:

24H2 is updated to 25H2 through a rollout of an enablement package.

I heard about the enablement package after I updated my incompatible laptops to 25H2. But my search fu failed me and I couldn't find it. Since I needed to download the ISO to replace the 24H2 ISO on my rescue flash drive anyway, it was simply more convenient for me to use Rufus and make a flash drive for the upgrade.

--
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams

So exactly what is it the

So exactly what is it the enablement package is supposed to do, I am not understanding the need for it. I've checked a few times and even after the normal Tuesday update yesterday, I am still at 24H2.

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 24H2
Installed on ‎6/‎27/‎2025
OS build 26100.6899
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.253.0

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Everything in the way of features is in the 24H2 version

but they are in an inactive and dormant state.

A summary of the 25H2 enablement package can be found at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5054156-feature-...

--
John from PA

I read

John from PA wrote:

but they are in an inactive and dormant state.

A summary of the 25H2 enablement package can be found at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5054156-feature-...

I read that link the first time you posted it, still not sure why I would need or want the 25H2 enablement package, no idea what it enables that wasn't already.

No worries though, I'm not finding myself lacking for something so I guess I won't need whatever it does.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 25H2?

The information in this video might help you decide. The author (Britec09) typically posts trustworthy information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pggcwFHfzI

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

Oldest hardware I've

Oldest hardware I've installed win11 to has been a z97 based board with i5 4590(k?) cpu.

Used rufus to apply the necessary registry patches to the installation media. It's running quite well or as well as can be expected for 11 yr old hardware. Next oldest would be z170 i5 6600 platform. Same installer, no issues. It's really baffling why MS is insisting on new hardware. Sure these old machines are slow, but for basic usage and media consumption they work rather well.

I wouldn't expect to do any video rendering or editing with these machines. So long as user expectation is reasonable, I see no issue why older hardware can't continue to function.

Windows Version 25H2 Update

Update complete. Thanks for the heads up

A windows regular update the

A windows regular update the other day put the 25H2 update on my PC, so now I also have it, and for a couple days I haven't noticed anything different.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Subtle changes should have occurred

soberbyker wrote:

A windows regular update the other day put the 25H2 update on my PC, so now I also have it, and for a couple days I haven't noticed anything different.

…some in the background. For instance upgrading to 25H2 resets the life support cycle, extending the support period for your operating system. The update provides a new 24-month support period for Home and Pro editions and a 36-month period for Enterprise and Education editions, which starts from the release date of version 25H2 which I believe was 10/15/2025. This gives users a longer time to receive security updates and bug fixes compared to older versions like 24H2.

--
John from PA

October 14, 2025—KB5066835 (OS Builds 26200.6899 and 26100.6899)

Just received October 14, 2025—KB5066835 (OS Builds 26200.6899 and 26100.6899) .
Important: Secure Boot certificates used by most Windows devices are set to expire starting in June 2026. This might affect the ability of certain personal and business devices to boot securely if not updated in time. To avoid disruption, we recommend reviewing the guidance and taking action to update certificates in advance. For details and preparation steps, see Windows Secure Boot certificate expiration and CA updates.. more info https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/october-14-2025-kb...

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Windows Devices For Home Users With Microsoft-Managed Updates

This is the category most of us home users will fall into:

"If you use a Windows 10 or Windows 11 device that runs Home, Pro or Education edition, and you get updates automatically from Microsoft (like most people do), then yes—this is applicable for your device.

The good news is that the new 2023 certificates will be delivered to your device through regular Windows Update channels. For most users, no action is needed."

Full article: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-devices-fo...

Based on this information, I don't plan on manually updating either of my systems. I will let Windows Update handle it.

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

ok Thanks

John from PA wrote:
soberbyker wrote:

A windows regular update the other day put the 25H2 update on my PC, so now I also have it, and for a couple days I haven't noticed anything different.

…some in the background. For instance upgrading to 25H2 resets the life support cycle, extending the support period for your operating system. The update provides a new 24-month support period for Home and Pro editions and a 36-month period for Enterprise and Education editions, which starts from the release date of version 25H2 which I believe was 10/15/2025. This gives users a longer time to receive security updates and bug fixes compared to older versions like 24H2.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

It might be best to hold off

...the latest Windows 11 update (KB5066835). This latest release introduces a bug and your mouse and keyboard won't work when you try to access the Windows 11 Windows Recovery Environment (RE) RE is a built-in set of tools inside Windows that allow you to troubleshoot your computer, including booting into the BIOS, or starting the computer in safe mode. Microsoft is expected to have a fix very shortly. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2947195/windows-11-october-u...

EDIT, the patch has been released. See details at https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/21/windows-11-kb5070773-emergency-update-released-to-fix-winre-issues-in-windows-11-25h2-24h2/

--
John from PA

KB5070773

The update 2025-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 11, version 25H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5070773) (26200.6901) is showing Windows update

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

yup

charlesd45 wrote:

The update 2025-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 11, version 25H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5070773) (26200.6901) is showing Windows update

Saw it this morning as my PC reminded me I needed to restart to apply the update it had already downloaded.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

Update

Just updated to 6901 lets see if any difference.

You likely won’t see a difference

LMChu wrote:

Just updated to 6901 lets see if any difference.

The Microsoft update is needed due to a serious problem with Windows 11, where installing update KB5066835 can break USB keyboards and mice, preventing them from working in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and leaving you unable to do anything. But if you have no reason to access the Recovery Environment, you would not see a change, and the change would be USB keyboards and mice would now function properly. That being said, the update is recommended. If tomorrow you need the Recovery Environment, and your keyboard and mouse don’t work, have fun.

https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-quickly-pushes-fix-...

--
John from PA

One Difference I saw...

was all of the file associations were reset to MS defaults. Just like they seem to always do sad

Did the update just in case I would need to use WinRE. One never knows! And I'm kind of a belt and suspenders person.

25H2, I am told, only

25H2, I am told, only activated features that are already in 24H2 and is not really an update in the classical sense. That is why it installs so fast.

Am I nuts to think folks

Am I nuts to think folks don't image their systems before installing any MS updates?

Macrium 8.0 home edition free version still available at https://m.majorgeeks.com/mg/get/macrium_reflect_free_edition...

No, but I also know what I'm doing

zx1100e1 wrote:

Am I nuts to think folks don't image their systems before installing any MS updates?

I know Macrium is an option and I do use it when swapping SSDs or NVME drives in my other laptops. But on my main laptop I do not worry about imaging the system prior to any update. Honestly, if an issue occurred I would simply clean install and start over: this is what the recovery partition is for. This gives me the advantage of eliminating unused crud that I've installed over time as well as making sure the system isn't holding on to unneeded crud it doesn't need.

The one thing I would recommend is having Windows 11 on a USB flash drive, in case of odd behavior such as inputs not working in the recovery environment.

--
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams

Well I won’t be the one

zx1100e1 wrote:

Am I nuts to think folks don't image their systems before installing any MS updates?

Macrium 8.0 home edition free version still available at https://m.majorgeeks.com/mg/get/macrium_reflect_free_edition,3.html

to call you nuts but an image prior to an update IMO is overkill.

--
John from PA

no confidence

John from PA wrote:

to call you nuts but an image prior to an update IMO is overkill.

You have high confidence in MS.. I have none wink.

I do

zx1100e1 wrote:
John from PA wrote:

to call you nuts but an image prior to an update IMO is overkill.

You have high confidence in MS.. I have none wink.

…have high confidence in MS. I started using Windows 3.0 in 1990 and only experienced one major problem and that was due to a failed hard drive.

--
John from PA

You're Right

John from PA wrote:
LMChu wrote:

Just updated to 6901 lets see if any difference.

The Microsoft update is needed due to a serious problem with Windows 11, where installing update KB5066835 can break USB keyboards and mice, preventing them from working in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and leaving you unable to do anything. But if you have no reason to access the Recovery Environment, you would not see a change, and the change would be USB keyboards and mice would now function properly. That being said, the update is recommended. If tomorrow you need the Recovery Environment, and your keyboard and mouse don’t work, have fun.

https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-quickly-pushes-fix-...

Didn't notice anything, but since i use firefox as my main browser i can't login to foxnews live tv after signing in with verizon it just hangs there telling me to wait no problem with other browsers.

Try this

LMChu wrote:

Didn't notice anything, but since i use firefox as my main browser i can't login to foxnews live tv after signing in with verizon it just hangs there telling me to wait no problem with other browsers.

Go into Task Manager and make sure any Firefox related process is shut down, then do a reboot and retest. If that doesn’t fix your Firefox there are some remedies discussed at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-and-diagno....

Let us know how you make out.

--
John from PA

Tried A Few

John from PA wrote:
LMChu wrote:

Didn't notice anything, but since i use firefox as my main browser i can't login to foxnews live tv after signing in with verizon it just hangs there telling me to wait no problem with other browsers.

Go into Task Manager and make sure any Firefox related process is shut down, then do a reboot and retest. If that doesn’t fix your Firefox there are some remedies discussed at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-and-diagno....

Let us know how you make out.

Tried them all whew even removing from system using regedit using edge browser now maybe try out brave browser thx for help.

Brave

I have used the Brave browser for years. Consider it ro be one of the safest and secure browsers out there. It you have problem signing into Fox news. You will need to turn off the shield for that site.Or the ad blocker.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Useful firefox addon for

Useful firefox addon for paywall like sites - https://gitflic.ru/project/magnolia1234/bypass-paywalls-fire...

No issues a number of sites with this extension.

I dunno..

I have an on board HDD / SDD ( use your preferred reference,) and I perform a full image clone to the backup HDD / SDD before any software update.

That way if something goes south, its a 20 min swap and I'm back up..

Of course if I have to swap drives, I image the backup drive to the primary ( while theres no network ) so ive again got a,way home

--
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

Tried It

charlesd45 wrote:

I have used the Brave browser for years. Consider it ro be one of the safest and secure browsers out there. It you have problem signing into Fox news. You will need to turn off the shield for that site.Or the ad blocker.

Thx its also a no go I'll give Brave a try.

Extesion problem

LMChu wrote:
charlesd45 wrote:

I have used the Brave browser for years. Consider it ro be one of the safest and secure browsers out there. It you have problem signing into Fox news. You will need to turn off the shield for that site.Or the ad blocker.

Thx its also a no go I'll give Brave a try.

You also may try to turn off all your extensions for the browser you are using. Then try to sign in.to Fox news. Had similar problem on a browser update, for a site I tried to sign in on. After identifying that was the problem I went back and install one extension at a time until I found the culprit . Once the next browser update came out I was able to reinstall the extension

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Another user

LMChu wrote:
charlesd45 wrote:

I have used the Brave browser for years. Consider it ro be one of the safest and secure browsers out there. It you have problem signing into Fox news. You will need to turn off the shield for that site.Or the ad blocker.

Thx its also a no go I'll give Brave a try.

I'm another proud user of Brave. I also changed my default search engine from Google to Duck Duck Go.

Ongoing

CraigW wrote:
LMChu wrote:
charlesd45 wrote:

I have used the Brave browser for years. Consider it ro be one of the safest and secure browsers out there. It you have problem signing into Fox news. You will need to turn off the shield for that site.Or the ad blocker.

Thx its also a no go I'll give Brave a try.

I'm another proud user of Brave. I also changed my default search engine from Google to Duck Duck Go.

Trying out Brave not bad only one site had a problem but i shut off leo and it was good no response from firefox support that i tried and doesn't do anything.