How to download Windows 10 21H2 ISO file (preview)

Download the ISO file to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows 10 21H2 ahead of the official release in November.

Windows 10 21H2 preview ISO download
Windows 10 21H2 preview ISO download

Although the Windows 10 November 2021 Update (version 21H2) hasn’t yet been officially released, Microsoft has confirmed that the next feature update has already been finalized, and Insiders can now download a preview of the final ISO file to perform a clean install or an in-place upgrade.

The Windows 10 ISO preview is meant for commercial customers to test and validate the OS before it becomes generally available to everyone. However, anyone can download it from the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page to upgrade early. The only problem is you will be doing a full installation of the November 2021 Update whether you choose to start with fresh installation or upgrade the current setup.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to download the ISO file to get early access to Windows 10 21H2. (See also this video tutorial at the Pureinfotech YouTube channel with the steps to complete this task.)

How to download Windows 10 21H2 ISO file

To download the final ISO file for Windows 10 21H2, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Insider Preview Downloads page.

  2. Sign in with your Windows Insider Program credentials (if applicable).

  3. Under the “Select edition” section, select the Windows 10 Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel) – Build 19044.1288 option.

    Windows 10 21H2 ISO download

  4. Click the Confirm button.

  5. Select the product language.

  6. Click the Confirm button.

  7. Click the 64-bit Download button.

Once you complete the steps, the final ISO for Windows 10 21H2 will download on the computer. If you are running the 32-bit version of Windows, you need to use the 32-bit Download button.

After downloading the ISO file, you can use tools, such as Rufus, to create an installation media with a USB flash drive. If you plan to perform an in-place upgrade, you can simply double-click the ISO to mount it in File Explorer and proceed with the setup process.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.