Windows 11 23H2 download with Media Creation Tool

Windows 11 23H2 is here and this is how you'll be able to get it manually using the Media Creation Tool.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 23H2 Media Creation Tool
Windows 11 23H2 Media Creation Tool
  • To create a Windows 11 23H2 USB with the Media Creation Tool, download and launch the tool, click “Accept,” click “Next,” choose “ISO file,” click “Next,” “Next,” and “Finish.”
  • To create a Windows 11 23H2 ISO, download and launch the tool, click “Accept,” click “Next,” choose “USB flash drive,” click “Next,” choose a location to save the file, and click “Finish.”

UPDATED 11/17/2023: You can use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB media to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of the Windows 11 2023 Update (version 23H2). The Media Creation Tool has been designed to download the installation files and create an installation media or ISO file to upgrade or clean install Windows 11.

However, if the device uses version 22H2 of Windows 11, the best option to upgrade is to use the “Windows Update” settings since the USB installation media or launching the setup from an ISO file will perform a complete reinstallation of the operating system. This is unnecessary in this release because version 23H2 is available as an enablement package that will install like a regular monthly update.

This guide will teach you how to use the Media Creation Tool to create a USB bootable media or ISO file for Windows 11 23H2.

Create Windows 11 23H2 USB flash drive from Media Creation Tool

To create a bootable Windows 11 23H2 USB media with the Media Creation Tool, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft support website.

  2. Click the Download Now button under the “Create Windows 11 installation media” section.

  3. Double-click the MediaCreationTool_Win11_23H2.exe file to launch the tool.

  4. Click the Accept button.

  5. Click the Next button.

    Media Creation Tool language settings

    Quick note: Clear the “Use the recommended options for this PC” option to select the correct language, architecture, and edition to create a Windows 11 USB for another device as necessary.

  6. Select the “USB flash drive” option.

    USB flash drive option

  7. Click the Next button.

  8. Select the USB flash drive from the list, ensuring it has no important files, as this process will erase everything on the storage.

    Select USB to download Windows 11

  9. Click the Next button.

  10. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, you can boot the computer with the USB drive to install Windows 11 23H2.

Create Windows 11 23H2 ISO file from Media Creation Tool

To download the Windows 11 23H2 ISO file with the Media Creation Tool, 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 MediaCreationTool_Win11_23H2.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.

Update September 25, 2023: The update available on September 26, 2023, only enables some of the features for version 23H2 (including Copilot, Windows Backup, redesigned File Explorer, updated Settings, Dynamic Lighting, and others) on devices already running Windows 11 22H2. However, the system will continue to show version 22H2 on the About settings page. Once Microsoft completes this rollout, at a later time, before the end of 2023, another update will become available to finish deploying the rest of the feature update and switch the system from version 22H2 to 23H2. After this point, the company is expected to update the Media Creation Tool, Installation Assistant, and ISO file. Also, devices with older releases of the operating system may be able to update directly to version 23H2 from Windows Update.

Update November 2, 2023: This guide has been updated to clarify that Microsoft plans to release a new version of the tool on November 15.

Update November 17, 2023: Although Windows 11 23H2 has been available since October 31, 2023, the new version was not available through the Media Creation Tool. However, the company updated the tool soon after releasing the November 14 update, and now, you can download it to create an installation of the latest version.

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].