Solved Problems performing an in-place upgrade of Windows 11 Pro

I have a problem if you guys can help, it's a bit long-winded so please bear with me.

I installed Windows 11 Pro on my incompatible PC via Rufus. It was at version 24H2 a while back. Up to that point, Windows updates succeeded, I had no problems.

I then ran the enablement package which moved the version to 25H2 and I'm now at 26200.8655.

Now I have the situation where the most recent security updates fail. I've have been informed (via AI) that because I forced the upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2, the servicing stack is out of sync and I'll need to do an in-place upgrade to 25H2 (26200.<higher available version>) keeping files, data etc. in order to fix it.

I downloaded and created an iso from the latest Windows 11 PRO package on UUPDump (which takes the best part of 4 hours !!). I then run the iso through Rufus - ticking those boxes that relate to incompatible hardware. When I run 'setup.exe' (from within the 'souces' folder), it keeps failing with 'upgrade path not supported'. I chose 'Retail' (that's the default anyway), I've not joined the 'Insider' part of Windows. I also tried via an iso from MassGrave but that failed similarly.

If you need more info please let me know, but I'd be grateful for any help.

Step 1.

"Option One: Download Latest Windows 11 64-bit ISO using Media Creation Tool (MCT)"

"This will be for a Windows 11 Version 25H2 build 26200.9168 ISO file with install.esd."


Step 2.

Mount (open) the Windows 11 ISO file. It will appear as a virtual drive, allowing you to access its files as if it were a physical disc.

Run the following command, replacing "X" with the drive letter of the mounted ISO file:

X:\setup.exe /product server

In this mode, the Windows 11 installer assumes it is installing Windows Server, which bypasses the Windows 11 system requirements check.

Here is how to install or upgrade Windows 11 version 25H2 on an unsupported PC.

Does the downloaded ISO have exactly the same language as the language on your system?
If not, it's not possible to do an in-place upgrade!
You only could upgrade while loosing all installed Programs and your data (if the data is situated on your system partition, which is default).

No Rufus can change that.

I mentioned this, because I saw you are living in Thailand. So if your system has Thai as language and you try to install an in-place upgrade from an english version of Windows, you would fail to do it. Or if your system has been installed by a multi-language package and now you are trying to do an in-place upgrade by using an Iso in (specifically) Thai language you would fail as well.

Thanks for all the above suggestions. Rather than reply to each separately, I'll summarize here.

It failed at every turn. The only option available was a clean install. I mean in the 'Choose what to keep' window, the only option available was 'Nothing'. 'Files, Settings & Apps' was greyed out every single time with no reason why. At least I didn't get the message 'upgrade path not supported' on these occasions.

I installed originally in 'English' and have never changed the language. I have three 25H2 iso's currently at my disposal and have tried all the above suggestions using each without success.

Any other ideas would be most welcome and thanks to all for contributing so far.

To find the current display or installation language in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Time & language, and select Language & region. Your active language appears under Windows display language, and the original system language can also be verified via system tools or the registry.

• Open Start and click Settings (or press Windows Key + I).
• Select Time & language from the left sidebar.
• Click on Language & region.
• Look at Windows display language to see what your system is currently using.

Checking via Command Prompt

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• • Press the Start key, type cmd, and open the Command Prompt.
  • Type the command systeminfo and press Enter.
  • Look for the line labeled System Locale or Input Locale to see the active language configuration.
  
  Checking the Registry (Original Install Language)
  • • Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
    • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Nls\Language.
    • Check the value of InstallLanguage, which shows the original four-digit code of the base installation.

FreeBooter said:

To find the current display or installation language in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Time & language, and select Language & region. Your active language appears under Windows display language, and the original system language can also be verified via system tools or the registry.

• Open Start and click Settings (or press Windows Key + I).
• Select Time & language from the left sidebar.
• Click on Language & region.
• Look at Windows display language to see what your system is currently using.

Checking via Command Prompt

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• • Press the Start key, type cmd, and open the Command Prompt.
  • Type the command systeminfo and press Enter.
  • Look for the line labeled System Locale or Input Locale to see the active language configuration.
  
  Checking the Registry (Original Install Language)
  • • Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
    • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Nls\Language.
    • Check the value of InstallLanguage, which shows the original four-digit code of the base installation.

Click to expand...

My display language is English (United Kingdom) the Installed Language is en_us

if you have created a Rufus bootable Windows USB with the latest Windows ISO

insert the Rufus USB and open the USB drive in Explorer
you will find a 'setup.exe' file

double click the setup.exe file within the Rufus bootable USB drive and the upgrade window will open
you can then choose save folders/files/settings and start the in place upgrade.

i have had greater success using the setup.exe within the Rufus bootable USB drive then any other way.

best of luck Steve ..

Again, I'll reply to all in a summary here. All my attempts at an in-place upgrade failed. I tried mounting and executing the images with and without the aid of Rufus.

*** BUT I SOLVED IT !! ***

Strangely it was my idea - and with the help of AI - we looked at the WIndows updates and found this one that I shouldn't have had :-

>> Feature Enablement for Dev Channel Preview Update (KB5054156) <<

Uninstalling that, mounting an image containing only Windows 11 Pro (26200.9267) and running the setup.exe, went through the process and allowed me to keep everything. Now all Windows updates have been successfully installed and everything's intact (hopefully) as I've literally just reached that point as I type this.

Many thanks again for all contributions. I've certainly learnt a lot over the past few days !!

MissJones said:

nd found this one that I shouldn't have had :-

>> Feature Enablement for Dev Channel Preview Update (KB5054156) <<

Uninstalling that, mounting an image containing only Windows 11 Pro (26200.9267) and running the setup.exe, went through the process and allowed me to keep everything.

Click to expand...

Yep. You're on the Release Preview Insider channel, not the DEV channel.
Good work.


At UUP Dump, you have to "know" what Insider channel you are in, when creating/downloading the ISO.
Microsoft's Media Creation Tool takes care of that for you.

I didn't know that the In-Place Upgrade needed an ISO in the correct Insider channel, but apparently it does.


Google AI...

Yes, an in-place upgrade requires an ISO matching both the same language and the correct build/channel compatibility

Click to expand...

Downgrading/Cross-Worming: Trying to do an in-place upgrade using an older build or an incompatible channel target generally fails or strips your retention choices.

Click to expand...

We are glad to hear your issue has been resolved, thank you for letting us know that all is now well!