How to download Windows 11 ISO file
You can download the ISO file of Windows 11 in at least three different ways, and here’s how.
On Windows 11, there are three ways to download the ISO file, including using the direct download link from the Microsoft website. You can download the Windows 11 ISO file through the Media Creation Tool. Or you can use third-party tools like Rufus, which also lets you download the ISO file for virtually any version of Windows 11.
An ISO file is simply a file format that contains the files that otherwise would be available on physical media, such as a disc or USB flash drive. The ability to download the ISO file can come in handy to install Windows 11 on a virtual machine, create a bootable media, or you can also mount it in File Explorer to launch the upgrade setup.
In this guide, you will learn the steps to download the Windows 11 ISO file in three different ways.
Download Windows 11 ISO file using Microsoft website
To direct download the ISO file of Windows 11, use these steps:
- Open Microsoft Support website.
- Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.
- Click the Download button.
- Select the installation language.
- Click the Confirm button.
- Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.
Once you complete the steps, the image file will download to the computer, and you can use it to create a bootable media or install the OS on a virtual machine. In addition, you can use a PowerShell command to verify the image integrity.
Download Windows 11 ISO file using Media Creation Tool
To download the original Windows 11 ISO file with the Media Creation Tool, use these steps:
- Open Microsoft support website.
- Under the “Create Windows 11 installation media” section, click the Download tool now button.
- Double-click the MediaCrationToolW11.exe file to launch the tool.
- Click the Accept button.
- Click the Next button.
- Select the ISO file option.
- Click the Next button.
- Select the location to save the ISO file.
- Confirm the ISO file name – for example, Windows_11_ISO.
- Click the Save button.
- Click the Finish button.
After you complete the steps, the tool will download the files and create an ISO file.
Download Windows 11 ISO file using Rufus
To use Rufus to download any version of the Windows 11 ISO, use these steps:
- Open Rufus website.
- Under the “Download” section, click the link to download the latest version.
- Double-click the executable to launch the tool.
- Click the Settings button (third button from the left) a the bottom of the page.
- Under the “Settings” section, use the “Check for updates” drop-down menu and select the Daily option.
- Click the Close button.
- Click the Close button again.
- Open Rufus again.
- (Optional) Under the “Device” section, use the drop-down menu and select the USB drive to create the installation media.
- Under the “Boot selection” section, use the drop-down menu and select the Disk or ISO image option.
- Click the down-arrow button (on the right side) and select the Download option.
- Click the Download button.
- Select the Windows 11 option.
- Click the Continue button.
- Under the “Release” section, select the Windows 11 ISO you want to download. For example, select the 21H2 (Build 22000.194 – 2021.10) option to download the version 21H2 ISO file.
- Click the Continue button.
- Select the Windows 11 Home/Pro option.
- Click the Continue button.
- Select the installation language of Windows 11.
- Click the Continue button.
- Select the x64 option for the OS architecture.
- Click the Download button.
- Select the location to save the Windows 11 ISO file automatically.
Once you complete the steps, the ISO file for the version of Windows 11 you specified will download on your computer.
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How to download and install Windows 11 right now
Finding and using a Windows 11 download has never been easier thanks to our guide that will help you install the newest operating system. While Windows 11 may not be “new” per se, it’s still Microsoft’s most recent and up-to-date operating system with a lot of useful features worth checking out, so now may be the best time to upgrade your operating system to Windows 11.
Windows 11 has great features, including things like a refreshed Start menu and Widgets. The design has been upgraded to be more fluent and seamless, plus the newest operating system has a big FOCUS on gaming, which is great for PC gamers. than anything, a Windows 11 download will give you all the most recent updates to make the operating system run as smoothly as possible.
It will be easy to snag a Windows 11 download if you’re already running the Windows 7 operating system or anything newer because Windows 11 is available as a free download in that case. You won’t have to worry about tracking down a pirated version of the software that might not work properly or be incomplete overall.
How to download Windows 11
System: Windows 11 Tools: Keyboard and mouse Skill Level: Beginner
Upgrade the device you’re on
Before you begin, make sure your PC meets the Windows 11 minimum specifications listed above. If it does, you should then back up your PC before continuing.
How To Download Windows 11 ISO File From Microsoft Directly [Tutorial]
This ensures that if anything goes wrong – and updating to a new operating system is full of risks – your important files and settings can at least be restored.
The easiest way to download and install Windows 11 is to upgrade the device you’re currently using. Head over to Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 webpage and click Download Now.
Then, follow the instructions to download and install Windows 11 on your device.
Install Windows 11 on another PC using a DVD or USB
If you want to install Windows 11 on another PC, then select Download now underneath the ‘Create Windows 11 Installation Media’ section.
This will download a tool that will format a USB drive and install a bootable version of the Windows 11 installation media. This can also be done with a blank DVD.
You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage. Make sure there are no important files on it, as it will erase anything on there. Check out our pick of the best USB drives if you need to buy one.
Follow the steps in the Media Creation Tool to create the bootable USB or DVD. Once done, insert it in the PC you want to install Windows 11 on, and then restart the device.
You may need to get the PC to boot from the USB or DVD you’ve inserted. To do this, when your manufacturer logo comes on the screen, press F12 or F2 (this varies by manufacturer) to jump into the boot menu. This is where you’ll tell the computer to go ahead and boot from your install disk, rather than loading Windows as it normally does.
When the boot menu pops up, simply select whether you’d like to boot from USB or DVD, then hit enter. From here, the Windows 11 installer should load up, and you’ll be well on your way to that fresh install.
Perform a clean install of Windows 11 using an ISO
The above steps upgrade your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11. However, if you want to install Windows 11 from scratch, you can download the Windows 11 ISO.
Under Select edition pick Windows 11. Once the ISO is downloaded, you’ll need to make a bootable USB or DVD with it.
Final thoughts: How to upgrade to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0
Many people have found that they cannot install Windows 11 because their PC does not have TPM 2.0. This is a physical chip included in many modern PCs (or built into their processors) which is a “secure crypto-processor” that is designed to make your device more secure by preventing malicious software to be run.
If your PC doesn’t support TPM 2.0, then you’ll get an error message when trying to install it that says your PC doesn’t meet Windows 11 system requirements.
If this happens and you still want to install Windows 11, there is a way to get around the TPM requirement, but this should only be done by people who are confident about the risks it involves.
It’s a complex process, so read our how to upgrade to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 guide for the full rundown, including a look at the risks involved.
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How to Download Windows 11 Directly From Microsoft: Quick Guide
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- Here’s a quick way to download Windows 11 from microsoft.com, step-by-step.
- Windows 11 can be downloaded from Microsoft’s website, free of charge, without needing to purchase a license beforehand. You will need the license later on, though.
- If you want to install Windows 11 on your computer the first step you need to do is download the installation kit.
Long gone is the installation DVD you got when you purchased Windows. Now, if you buy a Windows OS license most likely you’ll get a serial number and nothing more. You would have to download the installation kit, burn it to a DVD (old school), or create a bootable install USB stick.
That sounds a bit hard, but don’t worry, it’s the best way to get the latest version of Windows since Microsoft releases two new major versions each year. It saves you the hassle of having to install Windows, then wait for your computer to finish a major upgrade.
What this all means is that you can download a Windows 11 install kit from microsoft.com, without having to go pay anything. Don’t confuse that with “Windows is free”. You still need a valid Windows license to activate and use the OS in the long term.
How to Download Windows 11 From Microsoft.com
Requirements : a computer with a running operating system, a web browser, and an Internet connection. If you plan on creating a bootable installation disk at this step you also need a USB flash disk, 8 GB or larger.
Guide: How To Download The Windows 11 ISO file
Point your browser to the official download page.
Scroll to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).
Click Windows 11 from the Select download drop-down menu.
Click on Download.
A new drop-down menu appears asking you to select the language of the install kit. Choose according to your needs.
A new button appears next, with only one option: 64-bit Download. Click on it to begin downloading the ISO file to your computer.
Wait for the actual download to complete.
Note: you can’t do a fresh install of Windows 11 with the ISO kit you’ve just downloaded unless you create a bootable USB stick. Follow our guide, or just create one using the option below, provided by Microsoft. Installing Windows 11 can be done with this step-by-step guide.
2nd Option: Create a Windows 11 Install Disk
Follow this guide if you also want to create an installation media that will allow you to do a clean install of Windows 11.
Scroll to Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
Click on Download Now.
Wait for the download to finish and launch the MediaCreationToolW11.exe executable file to begin the process.
Accept the license terms, in short EULA. You may also want to read the contents. Yeah, right! Who does that?
At this step you can change the language and edition of Windows 11 if you don’t like the preselected options. Most likely that’s not needed. Click on Next.
You can now opt to burn the ISO image to a flash drive or download an ISO file. The second option does basically the same thing as the previous guide, aka downloads an ISO install file to your computer. Leave the USB option selected and click Next.
You will be shown a list of detected USB drives. You can refresh the list or select another USB drive if more are present. I’ll be installing over a Beta ISO I’ve used to download and install Windows 11 earlier on.
Wait for the download to finish. A brief verification process will begin, to make sure the downloaded file is free of errors. Then it will be “burned” on the previously indicated USB flash drive.
Everything is ready for use. Click on the USB drive name to open the containing folder, then hit Finish to close the assistant.
You can now remove the USB drive from your computer. Or, if that’s the computer you’ll be using to install Windows 11, reboot, hit the F8 key to open the boot manager, and proceed with installing Windows. Just make sure you’ve backed up all important data before.
The guides above should take only a few minutes on a reasonably fast Internet connection.
I didn’t post direct links to the ISO file because most likely they’ll change. Use one of the guides above anytime you need to download the Windows 11 installation files or build a USB bootable disk to use on a friend’s computer. The methods above will always get the latest version of Windows 11.
What’s your preferred way of downloading and installing Windows? Let me know in a comment.
How to install Windows 11 from Microsoft’s ISO file
Microsoft’s newly released ISO file lets you easily install Windows 11 on a clean PC, a dual-boot system or a virtual machine.
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Microsoft has finally released an ISO file for the Windows 11 Insiders Preview. Previously, your only option for installing Windows 11 was to first install Windows 10 and then upgrade it to version 11 through Microsoft’s Windows Insider program. But now you can save time and effort by installing the new OS directly through the ISO file.
Must-read Windows coverage
- Microsoft PowerToys 0.69.0: A breakdown of the new Registry Preview app
- Windows 11 update brings Bing Chat into the taskbar
- Microsoft offers Windows 11 for HoloLens 2
- How to connect an Apple wireless keyboard to Windows 10
Working with an ISO file gives you the flexibility to install a program such as Windows 11 directly from the file itself or by copying it to a USB drive or burning it onto a DVD. From there, you can install the OS to a dedicated PC, a dual-boot system or a virtual machine. Let’s look at how to grab and install the new Windows 11 ISO file.
First, you’ll need to join the Windows Insider program if you’re not already registered. Browse to the Windows Insider page and sign in with either your own personal Microsoft account or a business account that you use for your organization. At the registration page, check the box to accept the terms of this agreement and click Register now (Figure A).
To download the Windows 11 ISO file, head to the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page and sign in with your account. Near the bottom of the page, click the dropdown menu for Select edition. Here, you can choose either the Windows 11 Insider Preview (Dev Channel) or the Windows 11 Insider Preview (Beta Channel).
The Dev channel contains the latest features and updates for Windows 11 but is typically more unstable. The Beta channel contains more polished features and updates and is more stable. Either way, select the channel you want and then click Confirm (Figure B).
Next, choose your product language and click Confirm. Click the Download button to download the ISO file to your computer (Figure C).
Now that you have the Windows 11 ISO file, there are a few ways to work with it depending on how and where you plan to install it. If you want to install Windows 11 in a virtual machine, then you can use the file directly. Whatever virtual machine application you use, it should at some point ask for the source of the software you wish to install. At this step, simply browse to and select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded.
If instead you want to install Windows 11 on a dedicated PC or as part of a dual-boot setup, you’ll want to copy the ISO to a USB drive or burn it to a DVD. To set this up, I recommend a free Microsoft utility called Windows USB/DVD Download Tool, which is an oldie but a goodie. The advantage with this app is that it not only copies or burns the ISO file but makes the USB or DVD bootable. Microsoft no longer offers this tool directly, but you can still snag it at third-party sites such as MajorGeeks and FileHippo.
The current Windows 11 ISO is a bit over 5GB in size, so you’ll need the right media to hold it. A USB drive is the easier option as you can easily find a flash drive with at least that capacity. A standard DVD has only 4.8GB of space, so that won’t work for this ISO file. Instead, you’d have to use a dual-layer or double-layer DVD, which can handle up to 8.5GB of data, or a Blu-ray drive if your PC is equipped with one.
After installing the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool, open the program. At the first screen, browse to and select the Windows 11 ISO file. At the next screen, choose either USB or DVD. If you opt for USB, make sure the correct USB drive is listed and then click the button for Begin copying (Figure D).
If you opt for DVD, make sure you’ve inserted a dual-layer or double-layer DVD or a Blu-ray disc and click the button for Begin Burning (Figure E).
After your USB drive or DVD has been created, you can use it to boot up a dedicated PC on which you can install Windows 11 directly or as part of a dual-boot scenario.
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Also See
- How to get the preview version of Windows 11 (TechRepublic)
- Windows evolves: Windows 11, and the future of Windows 10 (TechRepublic)
- How to tell if your PC can run Windows 11 (TechRepublic)
- Windows 11: Understanding the system requirements and the security benefits (TechRepublic)
- Windows 11 aims to delight users but needs to establish its purpose (TechRepublic)
- Windows 10 power tips: Secret shortcuts to your favorite settings (TechRepublic Premium)
- Microsoft: must-read coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)
How to Install Windows 11 Lite on Your PC
We are no strangers to the fact that Windows 11 is an operating system full of features and aesthetic appeal. But even though Windows 11 brings substantial upgrades, it is resource-hungry and can quickly clog up an old system to the point you cannot even run it smoothly. If you read our recent article on Tiny 10, the stripped-down version of Windows 10, you must be wondering if something like this exists for Windows 11. Well, you’re in luck because it does! We have found the lightest build of Windows 11 yet, and it can run even on the oldest systems. So grab a pen drive, and I will show you how to install Windows 11 Lite on your PC.
Install Windows 11 Lite on Your PC (2023)
While this guide will explain how to install Windows 11 Lite on your computer, it will also address some important questions you may have about this build in the FAQ section. If you would rather skip to that and read it first, then use the table below to do so.
What Is Windows 11 Lite and How Does It Work?
The Windows 11 Lite 21H2 build that we are going to install has been made by developer NTDEV. This Windows 11 Lite build is essentially a stripped-down version that contains just the necessary Windows 11 files required to make the OS work. The biggest upside of this build is that it can run on systems with just 2GB RAM and storage as low as 10GB, which is simply insane.
However, as you would expect, most of the resource-hungry effects have been removed from this build of Windows 11 Lite, including the swift animations some users like. You will also not find other standard Windows apps, including the Windows Defender, and Xbox Services, to name a few. However, removing them has also meant Windows 11 Lite is supposed to be faster and less power-hungry. If the idea of a lightweight Windows 11 seems interesting to you, then keep reading as we show you how to install it.
How to Download Windows 11 Lite
Since this is a custom Windows 11 Lite file, you simply cannot find it through Microsoft. As such, you will need to download the Windows 11 Lite ISO file from third-party sources. Fortunately, the file itself is very easy to find and download.
We have made it even easier for you. You can go ahead and download the Windows 11 Lite ISO file (Get) from here and keep it on your desktop. Once on the link, go the the ‘DOWNLOAD OPTIONS’ menu on the right and then click on ‘ISO Image’ option. Choose the build we have highlighted above [22H2 Beta2 (no sysreq) ] Once done, keep reading as there are some other things you need before we install Windows 11 Lite on our system.
Additional Things You Need Before Installing Windows 11 Lite
As eager as you might be to install this lightest build of Windows 11, there are some other things you need before we can begin. Have a look at the list below, and make sure to cross it off.
Rufus and Pen Drive
Much like other ISO images, this one will need to be flashed onto a pen drive for installation. To create a bootable USB drive, we will need the utility software Rufus (Get). Simply download it and keep a pen drive handy for the process below.
Creating a Partition to Install Windows 11 Lite
No matter if you’re clean installing this Windows 11 Lite build or simply dual-booting it, you will require a partition on your computer for it. Before we proceed further, let’s go on to creating one, so we can use it in the Windows 11 Lite ISO setup. I will use a standard Windows 11 PC for this. For those with other versions of Windows, the steps remain the same, so follow them below.
Use the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut WinR to open the Run prompt. Here, type “diskmgmt.msc” and press Enter. It will open up the Disk Management window.
You will now see your hard drive and its pre-created partitions. You will either need to find unallocated space represented in black or shrink a volume and obtain some. Depending on your situation, right-click on the partition you don’t need and select either option. To shrink one, simply right-click an existing partition and then click ‘Shrink Volume‘. After that, select Shrink on the box that appears.
Once you see unallocated space, right-click on it and press ‘New Simple Volume‘.
Follow through the set-up wizard and assign your drive a letter and a name. I am naming it Windows 11 Lite for simplicity. You can leave the rest of the settings untouched.
Click Finish and the new partition will be created.
With the partition now created, we are almost there. Let’s proceed to burn the Windows 11 Lite ISO image in the next section.
Burning the Windows 11 ISO File onto the USB Drive
We will now proceed to burn the Windows 11 Lite ISO image onto a pen drive for installation. Provided you have already installed Rufus from above, plug in your USB and follow the steps below.
Open up Rufus on your computer to begin. Make sure you select your USB drive by clicking the drop-down button next to “Device“.
Besides boot selection, click on the “Select” button to choose your ISO file.
Navigate to the directory where you have stored the Windows 11 Lite ISO build. In my case, I have done so in the Downloads folder. Select it and press Open.
Now, press the “Start” button. You do not need to change any other setting.
Press “OK” to give Rufus consent to format your pen drive.
Depending on your PC, the process may take anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes. Once done, you will see the following message and can then press Close and eject your pen drive.
And we are ready to go. Keep reading below as we get on to the actual installation of Windows 11 Lite.
How to Install Windows 11 Lite on Your PC
Now let’s install the Windows 11 Lite ISO build onto our PC. Before we begin, plug in the pen drive onto the target PC and shut it down. Once done, follow the steps below.
Press the ‘Power On‘ button on your PC and repeatedly press the BIOS button. This differs from manufacturer to manufacturer but mostly is between ‘F2, ‘F8‘ or ‘F12‘. In the case of my Asus laptop, it is F2. You can follow our guide on how to open BIOS or UEFI in Windows 11 right here.
Once you are in the BIOS settings, find the Boot Order menu and choose the pen drive to boot from. To do that, simply hover it using your keyboard’s arrow keys and press Enter.
You will now enter the Windows setup in a few minutes, and you can follow along just as you would in a standard setup. In the partition selection screen, choose the partition we created earlier and continue.
Depending on your hardware, the process might take some time to complete, so do not panic if it looks stuck. Once done, your PC will restart a few times, and before you know it, you will boot to the Windows 11 Lite desktop!
And it’s easy as that! Windows 11 Lite is now installed on your PC. While you can use it as it is, we will go on to compress it even more, so let’s do that in the section below.
Windows 11 Lite: Initial Impressions
Having been using it for a few days, I love Windows 11 Lite for its light impact on the PC. Besides the extra storage that I have on my drive, the CPU and RAM usage is now even lower compared to standard Windows 11. I also did not encounter any Windows-breaking bugs or glitches while using the PC. The only thing worth mentioning is that the famous WindowsShiftS screenshot feature doesn’t work. Now as mentioned above, there are no extra apps or services on the device, which help deliver smooth performance and even better start-up times.
However, that also means there is no Windows Defender or any third-party software. Also, some Windows 11 features like the smooth animations are missing, but I honestly like that for how quickly the Windows open now. Overall, I loved this Windows 11 Lite build and can surely see myself installing it as an alternative to ChromeOS Flex on more systems.
Debloat Your Windows 11 Build Instead
While the Windows 11 Lite build that we installed is fairly safe, debloating your existing Windows 11 copy is a great alternative for users not wanting to take the risk. By debloating your PC, you will be able to remove unnecessary apps and services from your system. It will also help remove any extra tracking services that might be running on your PC in the background. So if you are someone who would like to keep their existing Windows 11 copy, then learn how to debloat Windows 11 here and make your existing build lighter.
Is Windows 11 Lite Safe?
In my experience using this lightweight Windows 11 build, I did not encounter any malicious software on my files or services. However, to be on the safe side, I ran a Malwarebytes scan, and it actually caught two registry modifications titled ‘PUM.Optional.DisableMRT‘.
Before you freak out, you should know these modifications are made by admins to block the once-a-month Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool scanning and reporting. While I cannot speak on behalf of the creator, I assume these modifications are made to make sure the build is not bogged down by another Microsoft service. However, if you feel these modifications are not worth it, you should stick to debloating your Windows 11 by following the section above.
Does this Windows 11 Lite also Reduce Start-up Time?
As a matter of fact, it does. I noticed the start-up time drop by at least 40 seconds when using this Windows 11 Lite build. Depending on your system hardware, you may have even better luck.
Install a Lightweight Windows 11 Build on Your PC
I hope you have lots of fun exploring this lightweight Windows 11 build. However, if you’d rather stick to your standard Windows 11 build, then go check out the best Windows 11 features and elevate your experience. Also, while you are at it, learn about the coolest Windows 11 hidden features via the linked article. If you have installed this lightweight build, how is your experience using Windows 11 Lite? Do let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below!
