As Windows Latest recently reported, Windows 11 24H2 could begin rolling out any moment. Microsoft has already asked the OEMs to prepare the Windows 11 24H2-ready drivers by following the new guidelines, and it has now begun preparing the media files (.ISO). Links to OEM ISOs are already live on Microsoft’s servers.
Windows Latest spotted a Windows 11 24H2 file labelled “X23-81971_26100.1742.240906-0331.ge_release_svc_refresh_CLIENT_CONSUMER_x64FRE_en-us.iso”. This appears to be an official Windows 11 24H2 release. However, the naming format is somewhat unusual compared to the expected file names like “Win11_24H2_English_x64.iso”.
The extended identifier and metadata in the name (e.g., svc_refresh, ge_release) confirm it’s an internal or OEM release. The “ge_release_svc_refresh” type of naming is often used for pre-release versions or refresh ISOs provided to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) or for internal testing.
Then there’s another ISO labeled “CLIENT_CONSUMER_x64FRE”, which seems to suggest it’s a consumer edition, but again intended for OEM use.
You might find these ISO files on the internet (Reddit or forums), but Windows Latest strongly recommends against using OEM ISOs on a production system.
If you’re still interested, I’ve shared the link to the ISO files in the comments section of this article. The files are hosted on a Microsoft server, so they’re authenticated and verified against the checksum, but you’re not supposed to use Windows 11 24H2 OEM refresh on your production PC.
As for Windows 11 2024 Update’s release date, it’s around the corner and we have reasons to believe that.
One one of the reasons is the .ISO file, and the other reason could be “HLK Refresh Release for Windows 11 HLK 24H2”. For those unaware, Microsoft recently refreshed HLK for Windows 11 2024 Update, asking devs to test their hardware and drivers for new update.
Can you use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account?
Contrary to what we’ve been reading on the internet, it turns out that Microsoft hasn’t killed off the “OOBE\BypassNRO” command, which is typically used to bypass the network requirement in the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE).
Windows 11 typically requires you to connect to a network and sign in with a Microsoft account, but the process is bypassed when you run the above command in the Command Prompt.
Windows Latest can confirm the OOBE\Bypassnro still works in these leaked ISOs intended for OEM testing. In other words, you’ll be able to use Windows 11 without linking your Microsoft account.
Previously, reports implied that the next Windows release would kill off support for local accounts through the OOBE screen, but that’s not the true.
It’s also worth noting that Windows 11 24H2 now automatically turns on device encryption (BitLocker) on fresh installations. Windows Latest previously confirmed this, and it’s present in the final media files.
If you’re not a fan of BitLocker, you can always turn off the encryption after setting up your PC and go to system settings (Disk & volumes).
