You need a Windows 11 ISO when you want an installer you can save, mount, or turn into installation media. Microsoft provides the current Windows 11 2025 Update, Version 25H2, as official ISO downloads for the device and license types covered below. Start with the standard Microsoft page, then use the Arm64, Insider, or work-license route only when it matches your PC.
Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft
Open Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11.
Go to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
Open the edition drop-down menu, select the available Windows 11 edition, and choose Download Now.
Select your product language, then choose Confirm.
Choose the 64-bit Download link and save the ISO to your computer.
If this download fails, use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool next; it creates a Windows 11 x64 ISO from the same Download Windows 11 page.
Create an ISO with the Media Creation Tool
This fixes browser download failures and creates the ISO through Microsoft’s own tool.
Open Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11.
Go to Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
Select Download Now.
Run MediaCreationTool.exe.
Select Accept.
At What do you want to do?, choose Create installation media for another PC.
Select Next.
Choose the language, edition, and 64-bit architecture.
Select ISO file.
Choose where to save the file and let the tool finish.
Choose the Arm64 ISO for Arm PCs
The most common mistake on an Arm-based Windows 11 PC is downloading the x64 ISO.
Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm64 download page at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11arm64.
Go to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for Arm-based PCs.
Select an edition from the drop-down menu.
Choose Download Now.
Select the product language.
Choose Confirm.
Download the Arm64 ISO.
Use this page for Arm devices because Microsoft says the x64 Media Creation Tool does not currently create Arm64 bootable media.
Use the ISO after downloading
Once the ISO is saved, choose the install path that matches what you are trying to do.
For an in-place install from a running Windows system, right-click the ISO and choose Mount.
Open the mounted ISO in File Explorer and double-click setup.exe.
For a Windows Insider in-place upgrade, choose Keep Windows settings, personal files, and apps.
For a clean Windows Insider install, choose Change what to keep, then select Nothing.
For bootable media on supported Arm devices, create it with a tool such as Rufus, but match the media to the device’s driver situation first.
Use recovery media from your device manufacturer when it is available, because it already includes the correct drivers tested for that specific device.
On a Snapdragon X Series PC, boot from the ISO and install without extra manufacturer drivers, then connect through an Ethernet dongle or dock and let Windows Update pull the remaining drivers; the device is not fully functional until you install them and reboot.
On previous Snapdragon generations, inject the device manufacturer’s drivers into the image before you create the USB drive, or the PC can fail to boot or boot to a state where input does not work.
Get a Windows Insider Preview ISO
Open Microsoft’s Windows Insider Preview ISO page at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso.
Use the upper-right Sign in option when Microsoft asks you to sign in.
Select the Windows Insider Preview ISO.
Choose the channel or build shown by the portal.
Select the edition and language.
Use the download link Microsoft provides.
Check Microsoft’s Flight Hub first when you need the current Windows Insider channel and build numbers.
Download a work or school ISO
Use these routes when Windows 11 comes through work, school, a subscription, or an IT evaluation.
For a Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation, open Microsoft’s Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation page.
Choose Get started for free, select Download the ISO - Window 11 Enterprise, register when prompted, and download the ISO.
For Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 evaluation, use the same evaluation page.
Choose Download the ISO – Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC, register when prompted, and download the ISO.
For volume-licensed Windows 11 on a classic volume licensing agreement, go to the Microsoft 365 admin center; commercial and Government Community Cloud customers use that standard admin center.
Government Community Cloud High administrators use https://portal.office365.us/adminportal/home, and Department of Defense administrators use https://portal.apps.mil/adminportal/home.
If the licenses came through a Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA), manage and download them in the Microsoft Business Center at https://businessaccount.microsoft.com/customer instead.
Open Billing, then Your products, Volume licensing, and Products and services, then use View downloads and keys.
For Visual Studio Subscriptions, open https://my.visualstudio.com/downloads.
Search for Windows 11 or choose Windows 11 from the Windows list, select architecture, language, and file type, then choose Download.
Skip outdated ISO download tricks
The most common outdated advice is to use older volume licensing pages or browser tricks to expose an ISO link.
Use Microsoft’s current Windows 11 download page because it already includes Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
For volume licensing, use the Microsoft 365 admin center path through Billing, Your products, Volume licensing, and Products and services. Microsoft’s older Volume Licensing Service Center instructions now belong to the legacy path, and the old VLSC page shows retirement messaging.
Use Rufus or Fido only when you specifically need that workflow. They can download Microsoft retail Windows ISO links, but they are not Microsoft’s supported download surface and Microsoft service blocks can affect downloads in some locations or contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Windows 11 ISO a different edition from Home or Pro?
No. Microsoft’s consumer ISO is multi-edition media, and the product key unlocks the correct edition during installation.
Can the Media Creation Tool make an Arm64 Windows 11 ISO?
No. Microsoft says the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool cannot currently create Arm64 bootable media. Use the Windows 11 Arm64 ISO page.
What Windows 11 version does Microsoft currently offer?
Microsoft's current download is Windows 11 2025 Update, Version 25H2.
Should regular consumers download the Enterprise evaluation ISO?
No. Microsoft positions the Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation ISO for IT professionals. Regular consumers should use the standard Windows 11 download page.
