The latest version of Windows 11 (23H2) is 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 way involved using the Media Creation Tool or workarounds to download the installation files, but 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 23H2, which means that versions 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.
Furthermore, it’s also possible to download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file, but only as an early preview.
In this guide, I will teach you the steps to download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from the Microsoft servers.
Windows 11 ISO file direct download
To direct download the ISO file of Windows 11 (23H2), use these steps:
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Open 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 the Rufus to create a bootable media for Windows 11.
Update May 2, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.
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].