Dell XPS 9305 laptop will not upgrade from 21H2 to 22H2 Windows 11


JerryF said:
My 1 year old Dell XPS laptop is not being offered the upgrade to 22H2 in Windows Update. In addition, it will not install the iso as the option to keep files and applications is greyed out. The installer wants to do a complete reinstall as it reads a different version of Windows. I would like to avoid a reinstall and keep my applications.

I am suspicious the issue is the XPS machine came originally with Windows 11 home. 5 months ago I upgraded to Windows 11 Pro. I suspect the install is reading the Bios Home license. I cannot find the digital license for the Pro Upgrade on my Microsoft Account, but I belive I can have the Pro license using the elevated CMD "wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey".

Is there a way to force the upgrade using Rufus or other? Any suggestions appreciated

Thanks
Click to expand...
Just double click on the attached registry file to merge it into your registry and you'll get the update through Windows update within a day or two
 

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    Windows 11 ProIntel Core Ultra 9 275HXSK Hynix 64GB DDR5-5600MHz RAMGeForce RTX 5090 24 GB GDDR7 VRAM
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 G635LX
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
    Motherboard
    ASUS
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    SK Hynix 64GB DDR5-5600MHz RAM
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    INNOCN GA27T1M 27' 1440p 320Hz Mini-LED Monitor
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    QHD (2560x1440)
    Hard Drives
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    PSU
    380W AC Power Adapter
    Cooling
    Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut + IETS GT600 Cooling Pad
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    Windows 11 EducationAMD Ryzen 9 27016GB LPDDR5X 7500 RAMnVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 8GB GDDR7
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403UH
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 270
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5X 7500 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 8GB GDDR7
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14' ROG Nebula Display 3K OLED 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 PRO 4TB SSD
    PSU
    Rectangle Conn, 200W AC Adapter
    Cooling
    Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut
    Mouse
    ASUS ROG Chakram X Origin Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1 GBPS Down / 875 MBPS Up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security
Yes others suggested that but the language was not the issue. US English was the initial Windows 11 installed on the XPS and that is what the ISO selected as the language for 22H2 install. In fact, after I ran and completed the ISO on the Virtual machine I tried installing the ISO on the XPS from which the HyperV virtual machine was made. It failed (again only offering a complete reinstall). The backup of the virtual machine (now 22H2) restored to the XPS with no trouble. Since the software on the Virtual machine is exactly the same as on the XPS machine it suggests a device issue or a bios block put on the XPS by Dell.
 

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  • At a glance

    Windows 11I7 1165G716 GB
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 9305
    CPU
    I7 1165G7
    Memory
    16 GB
    Antivirus
    Norton 360

  • At a glance

    Windows 11I7 12700K32GBMSI RTX 3060
    Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7 12700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z690 Extreme WiFi 6e
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI RTX 3060
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
I tried the registy change but after 2 weeks no 22H2 was offered. Security updates yes but not 22H2
 

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  • At a glance

    Windows 11I7 1165G716 GB
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 9305
    CPU
    I7 1165G7
    Memory
    16 GB
    Antivirus
    Norton 360

  • At a glance

    Windows 11I7 12700K32GBMSI RTX 3060
    Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I7 12700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z690 Extreme WiFi 6e
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI RTX 3060
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
If anything I have added my folder which has a ISO and explorer patch and a Taskbar monitor in my about me on the account
 

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    WiN11 ProXeon E5450 3.0GHZ (OC 3.6GHZ)8GB (2GBX4)NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB
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    WiN11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom 775 System
    CPU
    Xeon E5450 3.0GHZ (OC 3.6GHZ)
    Motherboard
    ASUS PQ5-EM
    Memory
    8GB (2GBX4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1TB|750GB USB, 3 SSDs 2 240GB 1 128GB, 750GB HDD
    PSU
    650WATT Rosewill
    Case
    Rosewill with side Window
    Cooling
    5 Fans and a big HSK for cpu
    Keyboard
    Rosewill RGB
    Mouse
    Rosewill RGB
    Internet Speed
    AT&T 150MB DL\UP
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    None
    Other Info
    I'm lucky to even be here after 6yrs from my car accident

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    WiN10 LTSCi7 2670QM 2.20GHZ8GB (2X4GB) DUAL ChannelIntel HD Graphics 3000
    Operating System
    WiN10 LTSC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hp 8460p
    CPU
    i7 2670QM 2.20GHZ
    Motherboard
    Hp 161C
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DUAL Channel
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 3000
    Sound Card
    Intel high Def (basically onboard)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    OS 128GB l Storage (caddy) 320GB
    PSU
    AC (IDK the watts)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    A USB 3.0 in the Express Card Slot
Forget about compliance/registry/system issues etc at al.

Create an image of the existing system with Macrium and/or AOEMI Backupper (for insurance) as well as the Macrium/AOMEI Backupper recovery boot USBs.

Then ....
Download the ISO (which it appears you've already done)
Download and run Rufus
Create a boot USB using Rufus, and tick all the options to bypass all the Windows ersatz security requirements
Insert the USB (DON'T BOOT FROM IT, RUN IT FROM WITHIN WINDOWS)
Run the setup.exe, check that it works OK, then ....
Go and watch the latest episode of your favourite series
Come back, all done.
 

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    Windows 11 2xH2 (latest update ... forever anal)Intel i5-124008GBNVIDIA GeForce GT730
    OS
    Windows 11 2xH2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-12400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB KIOXIA NVMe
    1TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    BT
    Mouse
    BT
    Browser
    Brave FFox Chrome Opera
    Antivirus
    KIS

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    Windows 11 Pro 2xH2 (latest update ... 4ever ...i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHzIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 2xH2 (latest update ... 4ever anal)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
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    KIS
  • Like
Reactions: WAI
If you are not offered the upgrade through Windows Update, then most probably is a compatibility issue. Just download the ISO and bypass compatibility check. Don't wait forever.
 

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  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (5699), 25H2 (8875)Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz4GBMobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (5699), 25H2 (8875)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.8875)Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generat...2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.8875)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
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