How to resolve the Windows 11 “Operation not supported” error?

Users encountering the “Operation is not supported” error while installing post-checkpoint cumulative updates on devices running Windows 11 24H2 or Windows Server 2025 may need to take specific actions to resolve the issue. This occurs especially when a Feature on Demand (FoD) or Language Pack (LP) has been installed from a local source during times of no connectivity to Windows Update (WU) or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

The error arises when a FoD or LP that was added on top of the latest checkpoint cumulative update—such as the September 2024 update KB5043080—cannot be updated to the latest update without access to WU or WSUS.

Windows 11 24H2 is here but do not update yet!

To fix the problem, users should download and reinstall all checkpoint cumulative updates along with the latest update. This involves searching for the latest KB number on the Microsoft Update Catalog, selecting the appropriate download for the device’s architecture, and downloading the necessary .msu files to a designated local folder.

Afterward, users can utilize the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to install the .msu packages. For installation, the Add-WindowsPackage command can be employed to add a single .msu file to a Windows image.

Microsoft previously recommended manually installing .msu packages in order as one method to address these installation issues, but has since removed this method from its support guidance, emphasizing the use of DISM for installations instead.

Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Ideogram