Windows 11 download with Media Creation Tool (2025)

• To create a Windows 11 bootable USB 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 ISO, download the tool from Microsoft, launch the setup, click “Accept,” click “Next,” choose “USB flash drive,” click “Next,” choose save location, and “Finish.”

UPDATED 1/27/2025: If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11 in 2025, you can use the Media Creation Tool to download the installation files instead of Windows Update. This utility enables you to download the latest installation files and create a USB flash drive or ISO file for either an in-place upgrade or a clean installation of Windows 11.

It’s crucial to note that Microsoft provides only the current version of Windows 11 for download. As of this writing, the latest release is version 24H2, rendering previous versions like 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2 unavailable. (If you must download the files for an older release of Windows 11, you’ll have to use alternative solutions.)

Historically, the Media Creation Tool allowed you to launch the setup process directly from the desktop environment, but its functionality has changed. It now primarily creates an ISO file or bootable USB media for installation.

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.

• Create Windows 11 USB flash drive with Media Creation Tool
• Create Windows 11 ISO file with Media Creation Tool

Create Windows 11 USB flash drive with Media Creation Tool

To use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 11 USB install media, 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.

   

   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.

6. Select the USB flash drive option.

   

7. Click the Next button.

8. Select the USB flash drive from the list, but ensure it does not contain important files, as this process will erase everything on it.

   

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.

Create Windows 11 ISO file with Media Creation Tool

To download the Windows 11 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.

   

6. Select the ISO file option.

   

7. Click the Next button.

8. Select the location to save the file.

9. Confirm a name for the image – for example, Windows_11_Setup.

10. Click the Save button.

11. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the tool will create an ISO file that you can use to create bootable media or mount in File Explorer to launch the Windows 11 setup.

Update January 27, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.