How to install Windows 11 without USB using ISO

Here's the easiest way to upgrade your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – no USB or tool required.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
Pureinfotech Logo
Windows 11 ISO mount install
Windows 11 ISO mount install

You don’t need a bootable USB flash drive or Media Creation Tool to install Windows 11 on a computer already running Windows 10. You can simply mount the ISO file to File Explorer and run the upgrade setup.

Although you would typically use the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade or a bootable USB flash drive to do a clean installation, it’s also possible to use the Windows image mounting capability to load the ISO file to launch the Windows 11 setup and continue with the installation.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to perform an upgrade or clean installation of Windows 11 without a bootable USB or Media Creation Tool.

Important: This process will delete everything on your device. It’s recommended to make a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You’ve been warned.

How to install Windows 11 from ISO without USB

To install Windows 11 without a USB flash drive, use these steps:

  1. Download Windows 11 ISO file.

  2. Right-click the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.

  3. Click on the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.

  4. Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 upgrade process.

  5. (Optional) Click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates option.

    Windows 11 setup update options

  6. Select the Not right now option.

    Disable updates during installation

  7. Click the Next button.

  8. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.

    Media Creation Tool settings

  9. Click the Install button to upgrade while keeping your files and apps.

If you want to perform a clean installation of Windows 11, click the Change what to keep option, select the Nothing option, click the Next button, and then click the Install button.

After you complete the steps, the upgrade process will begin and the computer will restart several times. After the installation, you may need to go through the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to finish configuring Windows 11.

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 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. Email him at [email protected].