How to download Windows 11 22H2 ISO after 23H2 releases

After Windows 11 23H2 releases, you can download the version 22H2 ISO file if you must downgrade, and in this guide, you'll learn how.

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Windows 11 22H2 ISO download
Windows 11 22H2 ISO download
  • Update November 3, 2023: The app no longer offers the ability to download ISO files for previous versions. If you’re viewing this before November 15, it’s still possible to download version 22H2 using the Media Creation Tool because the company hasn’t updated it yet for version 23H2. This means you can use the tool to create an ISO file for Windows 11 22H2.
  • I’m updating this guide with the Media Creation Tool instructions and the alternative method using the Internet Archive website.

UPDATED 11/3/2023: After releasing Windows 11 23H2, you can continue downloading the ISO file for version 22H2 to perform a clean install of the previous release or roll back to the previous version (if necessary).

Typically, when a new version of Windows becomes available, Microsoft will update the “Installation Assistant” and “Media Creation Tool” to upgrade computers to the latest release, making it impossible to use these tools to install a previous version.

If you have to roll back a device after the upgrade, you can use the recovery settings to uninstall version 23H2. However, if the option is no longer available or doesn’t work, it’s possible to use “Rufus” to download the Windows 11 22H2 ISO file after version 23H2 becomes available.

Rufus is a non-Microsoft tool to create a USB flash drive to install virtually any version of the operating system. The difference with the Media Creation Tool is that the application includes an option to download the ISO file and prepare a bootable media using an older release of Windows 11.

This guide will teach you the steps to download the ISO file and create a USB to install Windows 11 22H2 after the Windows 11 2023 Update becomes available for compatible devices.

Download Windows 11 22H2 ISO after 23H2 from Media Creation Tool

To download the Windows 11 23H2 ISO file with the Media Creation Tool (before November 15, 2023), use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft support website.

  2. Under the “Create Windows 11 installation media” section, click the “Download tool now” button.

  3. Double-click the MediaCrationToolW11.exe file to launch the tool.

  4. Click the Accept button.

  5. Click the Next button.

    Media Creation Tool language settings

  6. Select the ISO file option.

    Create Windows 11 ISO file

  7. Click the Next button.

  8. Select the location to save the file.

  9. Confirm a name for the image – for example, Windows_11_23H2_Setup.

  10. Click the Save button.

  11. Click the Finish button.

After completing the steps, the Media Creation Tool will create an ISO file that you can use to create a bootable media or mount in File Explorer to launch the Windows 11 2023 Update setup.

Alternatively, you may be able to find the ISO file for older versions of Windows 11 on the Internet Archive website by searching for the version you want. For example, you can search for “22H2 English” and download the latest version. It’s important to note that while the Internet Archive is a known website, you will download files from an external source that’s not Microsoft, which is not recommended. Use this advice at your own risk. You have been warned.

Download Windows 11 22H2 ISO after 23H2 releases from Rufus (no longer works)

To download the Windows 11 22H2 ISO file after 23H2, use these steps:

  1. Open Rufus website.

  2. Under the “Download” section, click the link to download the latest version.

  3. Double-click the executable to launch the tool.

  4. Click the Settings button (third button from the left).

    Rufus open settings

  5. Under the “Settings” section, use the “Check for updates” drop-down menu and select the Daily option.

  6. Click the Close button.

  7. Click the Close button again.

  8. Open Rufus again.

  9. (Optional) Under the “Device” section, use the drop-down menu and select the USB flash drive to create the installation media.

  10. Under the “Boot selection” section, use the drop-down menu and select the “Disk or ISO image” option.

  11. Click the down-arrow button (on the right side) and select the Download option.

    Rufus Windows 11 ISO download option

  12. Click the Download button.

  13. Select the Windows 11 option.

  14. Click the Continue button.

  15. Under the “Release” section, select the 22H2 release option.

    Rufus Windows 11 22H2 ISO download

  16. Click the Continue button.

  17. Select the Windows 11 Home/Pro option.

  18. Click the Continue button.

  19. Select the language of Windows 11.

  20. Click the Continue button.

  21. Select the operating system architecture. (Windows 11 is only available in x64 architecture.)

  22. Click the Download button.

  23. Select the location to save the Windows 11 ISO file automatically.

  24. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, you can use the ISO file to install Windows 11 22H2 using a clean or in-place upgrade installation.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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 15 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 21 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. Email him at [email protected].