Should I install Windows 11 23H2 on my PC? Yes, but proceed with caution.

Windows 11 23H2 (2023 Update) is the next version of the operating system, initially available on September 26, 2023, for devices already running Windows 22H2, 21H2, or compatible computers running Windows 10. However, the rollout is gradual to ensure that devices have a good upgrade experience, which means it’ll take time before the new version reaches everyone.

Microsoft usually starts offering the Windows 11 2023 Update to computers with newer hardware, and it’ll continue expanding to more eligible devices. Since this is an optional update, the decision to install it now or wait longer to avoid possible issues is up to you.

This guide will help determine whether you should install or skip the Windows 11 23H2 upgrade on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

Should you upgrade to Windows 11 23H2?

The best and short answer is “Yes,” it’s OK to upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 on (most) devices that meet the requirements using the “Windows Update” settings. However, it’s important to note that the update may still not be fully compatible with every computer, and it’s expected that the company will slow down the rollout to ensure that only fully compatible hardware received the update initially.

When a new release of the operating system becomes available, during the early days, problems are expected. As a result, the company uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to analyze and only offer the new version to devices with a good upgrade experience. As the update proves to be more stable, the rollout will expand to other computers based on hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, and many other factors.

Always, before upgrading, it’s recommended to ensure that there aren’t any known issues that may negatively affect the experience before proceeding with the installation.

If you have a computer with unsupported hardware, it’s not recommended to upgrade to Windows 11 23H2. However, there are ways to upgrade an unsupported computer. If you install version 23H2, the device will be in an unsupported state, and it’ll likely experience more crashes, support won’t be available, and updates won’t be guaranteed to work as expected.

It’s important to note that on September 26, 2023, technically, Microsoft is rolling out an update with many of the features part of version 23H2 (which many are referring to as the “Moment 4” update), but the version number will continue to read as “22H2.” This update is available as an optional update, and on October 10, during the Patch Tuesday release, it’ll be available automatically for compatible devices. Then, on a later day, which the company has yet to announce, the actual Windows 11 23H2 will roll out with the same features available on September 26, plus more features and changes.

Should I wait to install Windows 11 23H2?

Yes, you should always wait at the beginning. It is never a good idea to quickly jump into a new release of the operating system since unknown bugs, errors, and compatibility issues are expected during the early days of a rollout (especially when the update is still in the Release Preview Channel).

After version 23H2 becomes available, your device will (eventually) receive a notification through the Windows Update settings to upgrade manually. If you don’t receive the message, forcing the Windows 11 23H2 upgrade is not recommended because you will likely run into issues. For example, errors like “This PC can’t be upgraded to Windows 11,” “This PC can’t be upgraded to this version of Windows 11 because of a service or driver that’s not ready yet,” or similar errors.

Typically, it’s recommended to wait until Windows 11 23H2 is fully available to make sure to install the most stable build.

If your computer has an older Windows release without issues, you shouldn’t rush to upgrade. You should wait a little longer. However, you should not skip the update entirely. Eventually, that specific version will be discontinued, and it will no longer receive maintenance updates, leading to other issues and making it vulnerable.