Fix This PC Can’t Be Upgraded to This Version of Windows

I will explain to you How to fix the problem that this PC can't be upgraded to this version of Windows

Meanwhile, the Windows 24H2 update error “This PC can’t be upgraded to this version of Windows” by ENT means some sort of incompatibility issue. So, this error message basically means that there is a problem within your system that is preventing the upgrade process from taking place. In itself, this error occurs for two main reasons

How to fix the problem that this PC can't be upgraded to this version of Windows

Firstly, the error can occur if you are trying to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware by skipping the system requirements. If you managed to install 23H2 through a bypass but are now facing issues with the 24H2 update, it is likely due to the system requirements not being met.

Secondly, the error can also originate from various system issues such as insufficient free disk space or incorrect settings resulting from unintentional configuration changes. Also, downloading third-party files can disrupt Windows update components or permissions, thus triggering this error message.

Now that we know what exactly causes this problem, let’s see how to resolve it.

Solution 1. Free up disk space

As stated, insufficient disk space can cause this error. To resolve this issue, follow these methods to free up disk space:

1.1. Remove unnecessary programs:

Click the Windows start button, find Control Panel > Uninstall Programs. Remove any tools, games, or applications that you don't need.

1.2. Use Storage Sense

Uninstall programs and then use the "Storage Sense" feature. Here you can see the general files sorted by format type, such as video/audio, documents, images, cache, etc. Delete non-essential files to free up disk space.

Press the Windows start button. Type Storage Settings and open it.
In Storage Settings, turn on Storage Sense - it will help you manage your storage and clear cache automatically.
Now, go through each category to find and delete unnecessary files to free up space.

1.3. Disable Hibernation

Hibernation is a Microsoft Windows power-saving mode that allows you to save the state of your computer to a hard drive or other non-volatile storage. In simple terms, it is an alternative to shutting down; hibernation saves the contents of RAM to a hard drive so that you can resume your work later. If you don't need this feature, disabling it can free up around 6-10 GB of space, depending on your PC usage. You can find it under Storage Settings > (Show more categories) > System & reserved.

To disable hibernation in Windows using Command Prompt (CMD), follow these steps:

Open Start and search for “cmd” and Run as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter.Powercfg.exe /hibernate off
Then type “exit” and press Enter to close CMD.

Note: This should free up some space, but be aware that disabling hibernation may prevent your computer from saving your work and shutting down completely, which can lead to data loss if it is not saved elsewhere. If your Windows is up to date, you should re-enable hibernation.

Use the following command in CMD to re-enable hibernation after upgrading to version 24H2:

Powercfg.exe /hibernate on

Solution 2. Disable Fast Startup

Another Windows feature is called Fast Startup. Fast Startup is a Windows feature designed to decrease the time it takes for your PC to start up after a shutdown. It works by saving some system data (such as drivers and kernel session) to disk, so that your computer can load it quickly when it restarts.

However, this feature can sometimes cause conflicts during major Windows updates because it retains data that interferes with the update process. Disabling fast startup ensures that your system is completely reset upon shutdown, eliminating any potential conflicts and allowing the update to go through smoothly.

Open Control Panel, change the view to small icons, and click “Power Options.”
In the left pane, find “Choose what the power button does.”
Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Save changes and restart your PC.

Solution 3. Use the Windows Update Repair Tool

In Windows 11 version 23H2, Microsoft introduced a feature called “Fix problems with Windows Update,” designed to help users repair their system by reinstalling the current version of Windows through the Windows Update repository. This toolema and resolving issues that may be preventing the update process.

Go to Windows Settings by pressing the Win + I keys together.
Head to the Windows Update section, then Recovery.
In the Recovery section, you will find an option called “Fix problems with Windows Update.” Press the Reinstall now button in front of it. Note: Don’t worry, this doesn’t affect your files, apps, or settings in any way. It only repairs system files.
Alternatively, if “Fix problems with Windows Update” isn’t available to you, you can apply a .bat file to fix the problem.

First, click the Windows Start button, type “Notepad” in the search bar, and open it.

Copy the following script and paste it into Notepad: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver netsh winsock reset netsh winsock reset proxy ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /registerdns sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth chkdsk /f /r

Click File > Save As.
In the Save window, set the Save As type to All Files.
Name the file reset_windows_update.bat and save it to a convenient location (for example, Desktop).
Now that we have the reset_windows_update.bat file on the Desktop, right-click on it and run it as Administrator.
When prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow the program to make changes to your computer.
The Command Prompt will open and run each command in sequence.
Some processes may take a while, especially sfc /scannow, DISM, and chkdsk.
Follow the on-screen instructions and be patient while the commands are executed.
Once all the above commands are done, restart your PC for all the changes to take effect.

Solution 4. Specify Target upgrade version in Windows 11

You can also set a specific TargetReleaseVersion in Windows, which allows you to stay on a particular version of Windows or move to a specific version until it reaches the end of its service life. This feature is available in Windows 10 and 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education Editions.

By setting a "TargetReleaseVersion" you control which one your system stays on, preventing unexpected updates until you're ready.

However, if you don't update this setting before your device's current version reaches end of life, Windows will automatically update to the latest supported version within 60 days of that date.

Let's set it up:

Click the Windows Start button, search for Registry Editor, and open it.
Copy the address provided or manually follow the destination. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Policies Microsoft Windows WindowsUpdate
Create a DWORD (32-bit) value called TargetReleaseVersion on the right side of the Registry Editor pane and set its value to 1.
Now, right-click again, this time creating another string value called TargetReleaseVersionInfo and setting its value to the version you want (e.g. 24H2).

Solution 5. Reset your PC to factory settings

If you are still facing the “This PC can’t be upgraded to this version of Windows” error, a factory reset might be the next step. A factory reset restores your system to its original state and effectively fixes major issues by reinstalling Windows without requiring anything additional (e.g. internet access, ISO file, etc.).

When you start the reset process for your PC, you will have two main options:

Keep my files – This option reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files (documents, pictures, downloaded files, or programs). However, it will remove installed apps and settings, so you would have to reinstall all programs afterward.

Remove everything – This option completely resets your PC and removes all files, apps, and settings. It is a complete refresh of your system and can be helpful if there is deep corruption or persistent issues. Make sure to back up your important files before proceeding.

Here's how to perform a factory reset:

Click the Windows start button and go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Recovery > Reset this PC.
Choose Keep my files or Remove everything based on your preference.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

Once the reset is complete, your PC will be in a new state and hopefully up to date.

Solution 6. Clean Install Windows

If your PC is still unable to update to Windows 11 24H2 due to issues with Windows Update, reinstalling Windows would be the best option. It's just that sometimes some update system errors are tricky to resolve completely and a fresh installation can remove some hidden issue blocking the update. Just remember to backup important files first, as reinstalling will reset your system. This last-resort solution should give you a clean, updated version of Windows with all the latest features and improvements.

If you need help with reinstalling, don't worry - this article covers similar steps to a full reinstall. Just backup your files first, as reinstalling will reset your system. This last-resort solution should give you a clean, updated version of Windows, ready for all the latest features and improvements!

How to Fix This PC Can’t Be Upgraded to This Version of Windows