- Update
Windows 11 continues to receive regular major feature updates – most recently version 25H2. In this article, we provide an overview of the current status at XMG & SCHENKER and highlight what you need to bear in mind when updating or reinstalling. We also explain how you can create your own installation medium with the previous version 24H2.
Introduction
Windows 11 was launched in 2021 and has since received major updates roughly once a year—the latest being Windows 11 25H2. These updates are named after the release year, such as ‘24H2’ for the second half of 2024. While they often introduce new features, as with all major software updates, they can also bring new bugs or compatibility issues. Therefore, it may sometimes be advisable to wait a little longer before installing such major updates.
Users can manually trigger a major update after its release. Later, it will be automatically offered via Windows Update. However, there is no immediate urgency to update, as Microsoft continues to provide security updates for older versions. A full overview of supported versions and their end-of-support dates can be found here:
- Windows 11 Home und Pro – Microsoft Lifecycle [microsoft.com]
Pre-installed systems: Current status at XMG & SCHENKER
By the end of March 2025, we had switched the pre-installation of all models to Windows 11 24H2, provided they were ordered from bestware or an official reseller with a Windows licence or pre-installed Windows.
In March 2026, we began gradually switching models to Windows 11 25H2. This process is currently still ongoing. As part of the switchover, the functionality of our internal, script-driven deployment system was also updated.
As soon as the user starts up their desktop PC or laptop, further security updates are installed. Windows Update then continuously and automatically provides the system with all subsequent updates.
For DIY upgrades to 25H2 we recommend a clean Windows reinstall.
Languages available during initial setup
As part of the transition to 25H2, we have reduced the number of pre-installed languages from 12 to five: German, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
This applies exclusively to the dialogues during the initial setup, such as the dialogue for entering the Wi-Fi password, assigning a username and selecting privacy settings. Once the initial setup is complete, assuming an Internet connection is established, users can select additional languages within the normal Windows Settings dialogue and set them as the display language – without any restrictions.
The restriction therefore does not affect Windows’ fundamental language support, but only the language selection directly upon first start-up.
To make sure that additional languages are also used during the login screen or for new users, find the “Copy current user settings” function at the bottom of the “Language & region” dialog:
Reducing the number of pre-installed languages allows us to update our pre-installed systems much more frequently, meaning new customers no longer have to install as many Windows updates after the initial setup. This reduction also significantly reduces storage usage on the system drive and the size of the recovery media. We assume that users from other countries will be able to carry out the initial setup in English.
For further information, see the FAQ: Windows does not include an option to switch to my language – what can I do?
Potential issues with Windows 11 25H2
The latest version, Windows 11 25H2, was released in October 2025. Since then, various headlines and concerns have emerged, prompting some users to hesitate before updating. Here, we summarise our current perspective on the most significant points:
| Problem | Status | Description |
| USB input devices not working in WinRE | Fixed | Keyboard and mouse were unusable in the Recovery Environment after an update. Fixed with KB5070773 or Build 26200.6901. |
| Reduced gaming performance on some systems | Fixed | Some NVIDIA graphics cards experienced severe FPS drops. This appears to have been resolved by the NVIDIA hotfix driver 581.94; the current version is now WHQL 595.97 (or later). In general, there have been many issues with recent NVIDIA drivers since 2025. It is therefore possible that while this driver update fixes the 25H2 issues, it may expose others. Anyone who recently had problems with NVIDIA driver updates may want to delay updating to 25H2. |
| Password icon missing on the login screen | Fixed | If you have enabled PIN login in Windows, there is usually a button below the PIN entry field that allows you to enter a longer password. In 25H2, this button or its icon was missing. Although the corresponding area could be clicked (and would then lead to the password entry screen), its icon was not displayed. Fixed with KB5074105 on 29 January 2026. |
| WUSA installer fails when launched from network shares | Open; but does not affect standard end-user systems | Installing .msu files via WUSA (Windows Update Standalone Installer) over network paths may fail if multiple update packages are located in the same folder. This bug appeared toward the end of 24H2. Workaround: move the .msu file to a local path. Currently only mitigated (via rollback), not fixed. |
| Crashes and freezes caused by faulty Appx registration | Open; but does not affect standard end-user systems | In certain enterprise and VDI scenarios, after installing cumulative updates, Explorer, the Start menu, the taskbar, Search or Settings may fail to start correctly or crash unexpectedly. This primarily affects systems on which updates were applied before the first user login or in non-persistent installations – not typical end-user systems. In affected environments, customised deployment or repair measures are required. Microsoft documents these in an article on KB5072911. |
| Other issues (stability, performance, feature set) | Workaround: Reinstall | Regardless of the specific issues officially documented, an in-place upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2 may, in isolated cases, result in stability issues, performance degradation, faulty driver states or system settings that have not been fully migrated. Such effects cannot always be clearly attributed to a single 25H2 bug, but experience shows that they occur sporadically following major feature updates. In the event of unexplained problems following a version jump, a clean reinstallation is often the more reliable solution. |
Last update: 24 March 2026
Further information can be found on a separate Microsoft page:
- Windows 11 24H2 knowns issues and notifications [microsoft.com]
Should I already update to Windows 11 25H2?
Currently, we recommend postponing the Windows 11 25H2 update until the remaining issues are resolved. Security updates for Windows 11 24H2 will be available until October 2026, so Microsoft still has almost a year to address the 25H2 issues. Our primary concern is system stability: in unpredictable situations and with certain software and hardware configurations, crashes may occur or basic functionality may suddenly not be available.
If Windows proactively offers you the 25H2 update in the Windows Update dialog, we recommend declining for now. Simply click the “X” in the update notification or select a button like “Skip” or “Decline.”
We also suggest disabling the option “Get the latest updates as soon as they are available.” See screenshot:
The deactivation of this setting will still allow critical security updates to install automatically, while feature updates are not automatically installed anymore. Critical patches keep your system secure, while feature updates, which can sometimes affect stability, are delayed until you choose to install them.
How can I perform a clean install of Windows using an older version of Windows?
See the FAQ article: How to create an official installation medium to install an older version of Windows
Your feedback
If you have any questions about the new Windows version or any additional issue reports, please let us know. Feel free to write us an email or a comment on Reddit or Computerbase, or stop by on our Discord server. We are looking forward to your feedback!
An older article about the previous transition from 23H2 to 24H2 can be found here.
