- Download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO directly from Microsoft’s official website by selecting the current release, choosing your language, and then clicking “Download.”
- The ISO allows clean installations or unsupported hardware setups when used with tools like Rufus.
UPDATED 9/9/25: The latest version of Windows 11 (version 24H2) is now available for download through Windows Update on devices running an older release or Windows 10. However, you can also download the ISO file if you want to start fresh with a clean installation or if you are trying to install Windows 11 on an unsupported hardware configuration.
In the past, the official method involved using the Media Creation Tool or workarounds to download the installation files. However, since Windows 11, you can download the official ISO file directly from the Microsoft support website.
It’s important to note that Microsoft only makes the current version available for download. For instance, at the time of this writing, the current release is version 24H2, which means that versions 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2 (original) are no longer available for download. Alternatively, you can also download the ISO file using the Rufus utility and the Media Creation Tool.
In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft’s servers.
Windows 11 ISO file direct download
To directly download the ISO file of Windows 11 (24H2), use these steps:
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Open the Microsoft Support website.
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Select the Windows 11 (current release) option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.
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Click the Download button.
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Select the installation language.
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Click the Confirm button.
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Click the Download button to save the ISO file for version 23H2 to your computer.
After downloading the ISO file, you can use Rufus to create a bootable media for Windows 11.
Update September 9, 2025: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].