Need a Windows 11 USB drive, ISO, or DVD before you install or repair a PC? Microsoft gives you a few official routes, and the right one depends on whether you need standard x64 media, an ISO file, Arm64 media, or recovery media for one specific device. Start with the Media Creation Tool for a normal x64 USB, then use the ISO options when you need a VM, DVD, mounted setup, or Arm-based PC.
1. Choose the right Windows 11 media option
Use Create Windows 11 Installation Media on Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page when you want the standard bootable USB method for an x64 PC. Use Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices when you want an ISO for a virtual machine, DVD, or manual setup.
Use Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for Arm-based PCs on Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm64 download page when the PC uses an Arm-based processor. Use Recovery Drive only when you want device recovery media, not generic Windows 11 installation media. Use the Surface Recovery Image portal only for a Surface device that needs a model-specific recovery image.
2. Make a bootable USB with Microsoft’s tool
Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page. Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now, then run MediaCreationTool.exe as an administrator. Select Accept.
On What do you want to do?, select Create installation media for another PC, then select Next. Choose the language, edition, and 64-bit architecture. Select USB flash drive.
Attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space, then follow the prompts. Use this for a normal x64 Windows 11 PC because it is Microsoft’s main consumer USB path.
3. Check the Media Creation Tool limits
The Media Creation Tool requires administrator rights, an internet connection, and an x64 target. Microsoft’s path is Download Windows 11 page > Create Windows 11 Installation Media > Download Now. It does not create Arm64 bootable media, so use the Arm64 ISO route for an Arm-based PC.
4. Save a Windows 11 ISO with the tool
Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page. Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now, then run MediaCreationTool.exe as an administrator. Select Accept.
On What do you want to do?, select Create installation media for another PC, then select Next. Choose the language, edition, and 64-bit architecture. Select ISO file.
Save the ISO to your PC. Choose the ISO option when you plan to install Windows 11 in a virtual machine or create DVD media.
5. Download the official Windows 11 ISO
Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page. Open Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices, then choose an edition from Select an edition. Select Confirm.
Choose the product language, then select Confirm. Download the ISO. To verify the file, open Windows PowerShell.
Run Get-FileHash against the downloaded ISO. Compare the SHA256 value with the value shown on the download page.
6. Run setup from the ISO in Windows
This fixes the case where you want to start setup inside Windows instead of booting from USB or DVD. Download the Windows 11 ISO, then open the folder where the ISO was saved. Right-click the ISO and select Properties.
On the General tab, select Change... next to Opens with:. Select Windows Explorer, then select Apply. Right-click the ISO and select Mount.
Open the virtual bootable disc. Double-click setup.exe.
7. Burn a Windows 11 ISO to DVD
DVD media works when the PC has a DVD burner and you have a blank DVD with at least 8GB. Use ISO file > Properties > General > Opens with > Windows Explorer > Apply, then right-click the ISO and select Burn disc image. Use a higher-capacity Dual Layer DVD when the image is too large.
8. Build media for an Arm-based PC
Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm64 download page. In Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for Arm-based PCs, choose an edition from Select an edition. Select Confirm.
Choose the product language, then select Confirm. Download the ISO. To make a bootable Arm USB, open Rufus.
Select the downloaded ISO file. Select the USB drive, then select Start. Snapdragon X Series devices can boot from ISO media without extra drivers, while previous Snapdragon generations need manufacturer drivers added to the image.
9. Boot from the USB or DVD
Attach the USB drive or insert the DVD, then restart the PC. If the PC does not boot from the media automatically, use the boot menu or change the boot order in BIOS or UEFI settings with Power on > F2, F12, Delete, or Esc.
On the Install Windows page, choose language, time, and keyboard preferences, select Next, then select Install Windows. Skip the Windows 7-era Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. Microsoft’s current Windows 11 paths use the Windows 11 download page, Media Creation Tool, ISO download, and documented manual or ADK methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space does the USB drive need for Windows 11 installation media?
Use a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space for the Media Creation Tool method.
Can the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool make Arm64 installation media?
No. Microsoft says the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool creates installation media only for x64 processors, not Arm-based PCs.
Can I verify a downloaded Windows 11 ISO?
Yes. Open Windows PowerShell, run Get-FileHash against the ISO, and compare the SHA256 value with the value shown on Microsoft’s download page.
Is a Recovery Drive the same as Windows 11 installation media?
No. A Recovery Drive creates USB recovery media for restoring that device, including built-in Windows files, updates at creation time, and OEM customizations.
What keys open the boot menu for Windows 11 installation media?
Microsoft lists common keys as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc immediately after turning on the PC, but the exact key varies by manufacturer.
