Windows 11 24H2 download via Media Creation Tool

You can use the Media Creation Tool to download the Windows 11 2024 Update onto a USB or to create and ISO file, and here' s how.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
Pureinfotech Logo
Media Creation Tool for Windows 11 24H2/ Image: Mauro Huculak
Media Creation Tool for Windows 11 24H2/ Image: Mauro Huculak
  • To create a Windows 11 24H2 USB flash drive with the Media Creation Tool, download the tool from Microsoft, launch the setup, click “Accept,” click “Next,” choose “ISO file,” click “Next,” “Next,” and “Finish.”
  • To create a Windows 11 24H2 ISO file, download the tool from Microsoft, launch the setup, click “Accept,” click “Next,” choose “USB flash drive,” click “Next,” select location, and “Finish.”

UPDATED 10/10/2024: When the time comes to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 (2024 Update), you may need the Media Creation Tool to create a USB bootable media or an ISO file. Although you can use other tools like Rufus and Ventoy, the Media Creation Tool is the official application from Microsoft that has been designed to download the installation files and create a bootable media or ISO file to perform an in-place upgrade or clean install of Windows 11.

It’s important to note that the software giant only makes the current version available for download, so you can’t choose the version to download and install. For instance, once version 24H2 becomes on October 1, 2024, you won’t be able to use the tool to download version 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2.

In this guide, I will teach you how to use the Media Creation Tool to create a USB bootable media or ISO file for Windows 11. Starting October 8, 2024, the tool creates an installation media for version 24H2 that also integrates the first Patch Tuesday Update KB5044284, which brings the build number to 26100.2033.

Create Windows 11 24H2 USB using Media Creation Tool

To create a bootable Windows 11 24H2 USB install 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.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 24H2 USB for another device.

  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. Quick note: This process will delete everything on the drive, so make sure to back up any important files.

    Select USB to download Windows 11

  9. Click the Next button.

  10. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, you can start a device using UEFI with the USB drive to install Windows 11 24H2.

Create Windows 11 24H2 ISO file using Media Creation Tool

To download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file 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.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_24H2_Setup.

  10. Click the Save button.

  11. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the Media Creation Tool will create an ISO file to create a bootable USB media. You can also mount the ISO file on File Explorer to launch the Windows 11 24H2 setup without the need of a USB flash drive.

Update October 10, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

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].