It’s unclear what’s preventing the Windows 11 23H2 update from downloading or installing, but users have seen unhelpful error messages, such as the famous 0x800f081f. This error holds no significant meaning, but the most typical explanation you’d find online is a missing file, or Windows cannot find the source files.

As one user noted in a Feedback Hub post, “the process downloads and begins to install up to 25% then fails. The message is “We couldn’t install this update, but you can try again (0x800f081f).” Microsoft updated the post on the Feedback Hub, adding that it has “got it” [the feedback].

Some users have also experienced 0x80246019 when installing Windows 11 23H2. This error typically means your device has corrupted or missing system files and is running on low storage. However, that’s not true, as the error pops up even when the system files are present or you have plenty of free space.

Can you fix Windows 11 23H2 installation issues (update fails to install bug)?

On my two test systems, I noticed when Windows 11 23H2 fails to install, it’s possibly due to some missing updates. Installing Windows 11 KB5031455 resolved the problem and removed the error messages I was getting. You can find the update in the Microsoft Update Catalog.

That’s because “KB5031455” contains the primary features shipping in the Windows 11 23H2 update.

Of course, this workaround may not work for everyone. You can upgrade to version 23H2 through other methods like Installation Assistant and Windows 11 ISO files.

Windows 11 23H2 Update common problems and fixes

1. Error code 0x80073712

If you encounter the error code 0x80073712 while trying to install the new update, you can delete the temporary files of the previous installation. Other than this, you can delete files related to the Windows Update cache:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings from the menu.
   
2. Go to System>> Storage >> Temporary Files. Click on the forward-pointing arrow associated with Temporary Files.
3. Check the checkboxes associated with Delivery Optimization Files, Previous Windows Installation, and Temporary Files. Click on Remove files.

2] Error code 0x800F0922

You might run into this error message when there’s an issue with the Windows Update server itself (highly unlikely) due to VPN or your device does not have enough space:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings from the menu. Go to Network & Internet in the left pane.
   
2. Select in the right pane and turn off any active VPN connection.

Make sure you’ve freed up the storage space by removing temporary files, as highlighted in method one.

Here are some other errors you might get when installing Windows 11 2023 Update:

• 0xC1900101 or 0x80090011: This means incompatible drivers or a conflict with the hardware. If you encounter these, disconnect all unnecessary peripherals from your System and reboot your System in the Clean Boot state.
• 0x80070002 0x20009: This is another hardware issue. You can remove external peripheral devices except the USB installation media.
  
• Black Screen: If you encounter a Black Screen after upgrading to a new version, you can revert to the previous version of Windows 11 from Settings > Recovery and click Go back.
  
• Windows might prompt you to check for updates before returning to Windows 11 22H2, which might cause problems. Click on Check for updates, and move forward with the installation.

Windows Update is a mess

Windows Update often presents a challenging and unpredictable user experience, and it’s a mess, especially when you want to install a particular Windows 11 release. These issues aren’t associated with Windows 11 23H2 but with Windows Update.

You can also run the Windows Update troubleshooter by going to the Windows Update tab in the Settings menu, where you can access the Troubleshoot and Other troubleshoot options, and then run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

Secondly, you can use the SFC (System File Checker) scan feature by entering the command ‘SFC /SCANNOW’ and restarting the System.

If nothing works for you, we recommend using an installation assistant or a third-party app like Rufus to clean install Windows 11 2023 Update.

The post Windows 11 23H2 installation issues affect some, update fails to install appeared first on Windows Latest

Windows 10 2023 Update is the latest release of Windows, and it can be installed via Windows Update, but some of you might run into problems during or after installation. For example, some have reported potential issues with File Explorer and Taskbar after the update.

Thankfully, it is possible to do a clean install of Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2), remove unwanted files and install a fresh copy of Windows.

The most convenient method to perform a clean install on your system is through a bootable USB drive.

Create Windows 11 2023 Update bootable drive using Rufus

Rufus is the most popular third-party utility for creating a bootable USB drive, and it works like the Media Creation tool. Since Microsoft is not offering the Windows 11 2023 Update through the Media Creation Tool, you can use Rufus for a clean install instead.

To clean install Windows 11 2023 Update using Rufus, use these steps:

1. Open the Rufus website, scroll down to the Download section and get the most recent Standard version of Rufus.
   
2. Double-tap on rufus.exe and click the Settings button, the third option from the left in the bottom menu.
3. As shown in the screenshot below, when you are on the pop-up window “Update policy and settings“, click Check now next to “Check for updates“.
   
4. Close the window, and under the Device menu, you will notice that the USB drive connected to your system is already selected. However, if you have multiple USB drives attached to your system, you can choose the correct USB from the drop-down menu.
5. In the Boot selection drop-down menu, select Disk or ISO image.
6. On the right side, you will notice another drop-down menu where you need to select “Download“. When this option is checked, Rufus downloads the most recent update from Microsoft.
   
7. On the “Download ISO Image” pop-up, select Windows 11 and change Release to “23H2 (Build 22621.2428 – 2023.10)“. Click on Continue.
   
8. Select Edition as Windows 11 Home, Pro, or Edu. Click on Continue. Select the Language of your choice and click Continue.
9. Select the Architecture of your system and click on Continue. In the next window, browse to the path of the USB drive and save the changes.
10. You will notice that ISO is downloading in the status bar of the Rufus window. After downloading the file, return to the Rufus menu. Change the name of the Volume Label. File System should be NTFS, and make sure to check Quick Format.
11. Click on Start, add a Local account username if you wish to, and select the second and third checkboxes to block data collection.

Clean install Windows 11 2023 Update using bootable USB

To boot Windows 11 2023 Update using the bootable drive, follow these steps:

1. Connect the bootable USB pen drive and reboot your system (or switch ON).
2. You will get the option to press the key to continue. Hit any key.
3. Select the language, time and currency format, keyboard language and click on Continue.
4. Click on Install now.
5. When it asks for a Product key, click on I don’t have it.
6. Please select the version of Windows 11 you wish to install, check the checkbox associated with I accept the license terms, and click Next.
7. On the next page, select Custom: Install Windows only. This option makes sure that all data is removed from your system.
8. Select the drives you wish to create and click on Next.
9. Now, select Drive 0 Unallocated Space (representing C: drive) as the drive where you wish to install version 23H2 for Windows 11.
10. Click Next.
11. This was the process for confirming a clean install on your system. Going further, this procedure is general for Windows installation.
12. Choose your country and click Yes.
13. Select keyboard language and click Next.
14. Type the Username for your system and click Next.
15. Select Set up for personal use (assuming it isn’t a work computer) and click Next.
16. Log in using your Microsoft account credentials.
17. Select Create a PIN.
18. Enter a 4-digit PIN and click OK.
19. Select Set up as a new device and click Next.
20. Choose your privacy settings, click on Next, and then on Accept for the agreement.
21. Choose your customized experiences and click on Next.
22. Select Don’t back up my files and click on Next. If you select the other option, the system will backup your files on Desktop, Documents, and Pictures to the OneDrive folder.
23. Click Next.
24. On the Microsoft 365 setup page, click No thanks. You can set it up later.

What is new in Windows 11 2023 Update?

Here are all the significant changes in Windows 11 2023 Update:

1. Microsoft Copilot

The Copilot AI option in Windows is similar to ChatGPT, though it is connected to the Internet through Bing. It is still at a very amateur stage, and many users are finding ChatGPT better.

2. Start menu

The Windows 11 2023 Update offers a thumbnail preview for the Start menu, and some files can be shared after right-clicking on them.

3. Taskbar, System Tray, and Notifications

The new version allows you to open the Volume Mixer with the shortcut CTRL+Windows+V. You can also hide the clock through settings.

Similarly, it is now possible to ungroup the taskbar and display apps with labels.

The new addition to the File Explorer is the Gallery feature, which is somewhat like the Photos app. Interestingly, if OneDrive is connected to your phone, you can scroll through its images using the Gallery feature.

Other improvements include a new graphics setting. Suppose you have sufficient graphic features on your system. In that case, you can enable the Automatic Color Management feature, which can help you save time by automatically adjusting colour settings from time to time.

The post How to clean install Windows 11 2023 Update using bootable USB appeared first on Windows Latest

Windows 11 23H2 (Windows 11 2023 Update) is an optional feature update that adds two years of additional support to the operating system. Support for the current release, Windows 11 22H2, is set to end in less than a year, which makes Windows 11 23H2 a critical update.

Some users are confused between the Windows 11 Moment 4 update and Windows 11 23H2.

Windows 11 Moment 4 and Windows 11 23H2 are two different ways of getting the same new features and improvements for Windows 11. Windows 11 Moment 4 is an optional update that can be enabled on Windows 11 version 22H2, the current version of the OS.

Windows 11 23H2 is a new version of the OS that includes all the features of Moment 4 by default. In this article, we’ll show you a simple way to check your Windows 11 version, including how to find out if you’re running the latest 23H2 update or you’re still on the Moment 4.

Check if Windows 11 23H2 is installed using Settings

To check if your device is running Windows 11 23H2 via Settings, use these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings from the menu.
   
2. Go to the System tab on the left pane. In the right pane, scroll down to About.
   
3. Scroll down to the Windows Specifications section. The Version number and Build will be mentioned there. If the Version number is 23H2, Windows 11 23H2 is installed on your PC.

If you installed Windows 23H2 through the Windows Insider program, the build number may start with 23xxxx.

Check if Windows 11 2023 Update is installed using Winver

You can also verify if Windows 11 2023 Update (version 23H2) is running on your device using the traditional Winver command:

• Press Windows + R to open the Run window. In the Run window, type the command WINVER and hit Enter to execute it.
• If the version is “23H2′, it means your device is up-to-date.

What to do if you don’t see Windows 11 23H2?

Usually, the system will update to Windows 11 23H2 automatically after a brief notification. But if it doesn’t, you can edit it manually. Here’s what you can do:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings from the menu.
2. In the Settings menu, go to the Windows Update tab on the left pane.
   
3. In the right pane, the Windows 11 23H2 update will be visible upfront or in the queue for installation. If you don’t see the update, make sure “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle is enabled.
4. Click Check for Updates, and the update will show up.

You can also install Windows 11 23H2 using Installation Assistant, Media Creation Tool and ISO files.

What’s new and improved in the latest update

Here are the flagship features of the update:

1] Windows Copilot

Windows Copilot is powered by Bing AI and pinned to the taskbar next to the search box, which allows you to search for anything. With Windows Copilot, you change the device’s theme and turn on or off features like “Do not disturb” mode.

You can also use it to capture screenshots and create images using built-in DALL-E 3.

2] Windows Backup

Windows Backup is a successor to the Windows 7-era backup and restore feature, which has become cumbersome. Now, everything has been brought down to an easy-to-use app.

This app can help you get your current PC backed up and ready to move by restoring apps from the Microsoft Store, Start menu and taskbar customizations, Settings from previous devices, and even browser settings.

3] File Explorer

File Explorer’s interface has been refreshed with WinUI. Recommended files display as a carousel on Home, but this appears only when using an Azure AD account.

File Explorer’s address bar has also been redesigned for a modern look, but you can no longer drag and drop files between address bar.

4] Audio

Microsoft is adding a new “Volume Mixer” to the System Tray. This is similar to the existing legacy volume mixer, but it has been updated with a more “modern” look, and you can now easily switch between sound outputs, including Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones.

5] Dynamic Lighting

Dynamic Lighting is a feature that has been added to Windows 11 23H2 and allows you to improve the aesthetics of the screen. To access the feature, go to Personalization > Dynamic Lighting and click Effects.

6] Paint

Microsoft is finally adding a “background remover” tool to Paint. You can click the background remover icon and create a transparent PNG image. Of course, layers, another Photoshop feature, are included to make the most out of transparent backgrounds.

The post How to check if Windows 11 23H2 is installed on your PC appeared first on Windows Latest

Windows Updates are essential for pushing new features to the system, fixing known errors, and installing security updates. However, if Windows Updates were perfect in fixing all problems, Windows systems would be perfect by now (which is far from true).

At times, Windows Updates cause new problems in the system. In this case, you might want to uninstall the Windows Updates. After uninstalling the update, you can wait for Microsoft to fix issues with the current update and then uninstall the revised update later.

A troublesome Windows Update can cause serious problems to your computer, including Blue Screen of Death errors, crashes, dysfunctional drivers, etc.

However, every update pushes security updates to your computer. If you uninstall an update, you will also uninstall the latest security update.

Uninstall Windows Updates through Windows Settings in Windows 11

To uninstall Windows Updates through Windows Settings, use these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Select Settings from the menu.
3. Go to the Windows Update tab in the left pane.
4. In the right pane, select Update History.
   
5. Scroll down and click on Uninstall updates.
6. Click on Uninstall corresponding to the latest update, and then click on Uninstall again to confirm it.

Uninstall Windows Updates through Command Prompt in Windows 11

To uninstall Windows Updates through Command Prompt in Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Search for Command Prompt in the Windows Search bar.
2. Click on Run as administrator in the right pane to open the elevated Command Prompt window.
3. In the elevated Command Prompt window, enter the following command:

   wmic qfe list brief /format:table

4. This will display the list of the latest Windows Updates with their appropriate KB number.
5. Note the latest KB number.
   
6. Enter the following command in the elevated Command Prompt window:

   wusa /uninstall /kb:KBNUMBER

7. For example, if the latest KB number is KB5029921, then the command will become:

   wusa /uninstall /kb: 5029921

8. You can select Yes for confirmation, and Windows will uninstall the update.

As you can see, every procedure in Windows can be executed through commands in the Command Prompt window.

If you cannot uninstall the latest update through Windows Settings, the Command Prompt method will be very helpful for you.

Uninstall Windows Updates through Windows PowerShell in Windows 11

To uninstall Windows Updates through Windows PowerShell in Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Search for PowerShell in the Windows Search bar.
2. Click on Run as administrator corresponding to the app in the right pane to open the elevated PowerShell window.
3. In the elevated PowerShell window, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

   Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate

4. Type A to accept the command and hit Enter.
5. This command will install the PowerShell module, a setting required to update Windows.
6. Enter the following command:

   Get-WUHistory | Select-Object -First 4

7. This command will display the latest 4 Windows Updates.
8. After this, note the KB number of the latest update.
   
9. Enter the following command to install the update:

   Remove-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KBNUMBER

10. For example, in my case, the KB number of the latest update is KB5029921. Thus, the command will become as follows:

    Remove-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KB5029921

11. Type A to accept the command and hit Enter.

Uninstall Windows Updates through the DISM tool in Windows 11

To uninstall Windows Updates in Windows 11 using the DISM tool, use these steps:

1. Search for the Command prompt in the elevated Command Prompt window.
2. Type the following command in the elevated Command Prompt window and hit Enter to generate a copy of the latest Windows Update packages on the clipboard:

   dism /online /get-packages | clip

3. Open Notepad and paste the contents from the clipboard there.
4. These contents will list the kind of updates, their date, and the Package Identity.
   
5. The command to remove a Windows Update package is as follows:

   dism /Online /Remove-Package /PackageName:[Package Identity]

6. In my case, the command will be the following:

   dism /Online /Remove-Package /PackageName:Microsoft-Windows-Hello-Face-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.22621.2283

7. Enter it in the elevated Command Prompt window.

Blocking installed uninstalled updates to prevent them from reinstalling

Once you have uninstalled the updates, you can block them so they aren’t installed automatically. You can install the updates manually.

To block the uninstalled updates, use these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button and go to Settings >> Windows Updates.
2. In the right pane, you will notice the option to Pause updates.
   
3. Click on Pause for 1 week.

As always, removing or blocking Windows Updates is not recommended, especially if the updates were released with security fixes.

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