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Microsoft’s current public release is Windows 11 2025 Update, version 25H2. The official download is a multi-edition ISO for compatible x64 PCs—not a Pro-only image. Your product key or digital license determines whether Windows activates as Home, Pro, or another edition included by the license.
Use Microsoft’s download page rather than a third-party mirror. The generated ISO links expire after 24 hours, and Microsoft provides a SHA-256 verification procedure so you can check that the file was downloaded intact.
Before downloading the Windows 11 25H2 ISO
Check these requirements before starting the download or installation:
| Item | Microsoft requirement or condition |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Compatible 64-bit processor; the public ISO is for x64 devices |
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, with two or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC |
| Memory | At least 4 GB RAM |
| Storage | At least 64 GB storage |
| Firmware | UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability |
| Security | TPM 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12-compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | Larger than 9 inches diagonally, with at least 720p resolution |
Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware is not recommended by Microsoft. The PC may be unsupported and may not be entitled to receive updates.
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If you are upgrading from Windows 10 through Microsoft’s supported upgrade path, the PC must be running Windows 10 version 2004 or later. Microsoft also states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
Download the official Windows 11 25H2 ISO
- Open Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page.
- Scroll to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
- Open the selector labeled Select an edition from the drop down menu.
- Choose Download Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices).
- Click the download control below the selector.
- Under Select the product language, choose the language that will be used during installation.
- Click Confirm.
- Click the generated 64-bit download link and save the ISO to a drive with sufficient free space.
Microsoft says the product language must match the language used when installing Windows. To check the current language, open Settings > Time and language, or open Control Panel > Region.
The generated links are valid for 24 hours. Microsoft displays the expiration time in UTC. If the link expires before the download finishes, return to the download page and generate a new one.
What edition does the ISO install?
The download is a multi-edition ISO. It does not install Windows 11 Pro exclusively. During installation or activation, the product key determines the applicable edition. A PC with a valid Windows 11 Home license activates Home; a Pro license activates Pro, provided the hardware and license are otherwise eligible.
Enterprise editions are not provided through the public consumer ISO selector. Microsoft directs Enterprise customers to the Microsoft 365 admin center. Visual Studio subscribers should use the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal, while Insider builds are downloaded from the Windows Insider site.
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Verify the downloaded ISO
A failed or altered download can cause installation errors. Microsoft provides a Verify your download section on the same page and uses PowerShell’s Get-FileHash command to calculate the ISO’s SHA-256 hash.
- Open the Start menu, search for Windows PowerShell, and launch it.
- Run
Get-FileHashwith the full path to your ISO. For example:
Get-FileHash C:Usersuser1DownloadsContoso8_1_ENT.isoPowerShell returns a SHA-256 value by default. Compare it with the hash for the exact language ISO you downloaded. Microsoft currently publishes this SHA-256 value for the English x64 ISO:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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Use the ISO without creating a USB
If Windows is already running and you want to perform an upgrade rather than boot a clean installer, mount the ISO in File Explorer:
- Right-click the ISO and select Properties.
- On the General tab, find Opens with: and click Change….
- Select Windows Explorer, then click Apply.
- Right-click the ISO again and select Mount.
- Open the new virtual DVD drive in File Explorer.
- Double-click
setup.exeand follow Windows Setup.
Mounting the ISO and running setup.exe upgrades the current operating system. It is not the same as booting from installation media to perform a clean installation.
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Create a Windows 11 installation USB or another ISO
Microsoft also offers the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section on its download page. This is useful when you need bootable media for another PC or want Microsoft’s tool to create an ISO.
Create an ISO with Media Creation Tool
- Download and launch the Media Creation Tool as an administrator.
- Accept the license terms by selecting Accept.
- On What do you want to do?, select Create installation media for another PC, then click Next.
- Select the language, Windows edition, and 64-bit architecture.
- Choose ISO file.
- Select a save location and let the tool create the ISO.
Microsoft states that the standard Media Creation Tool creates media only for x64 processors. It does not create ARM64 installation media. ARM64 ISOs are available separately through the Windows 11 download page.
Create a bootable USB
- Start the Media Creation Tool as an administrator.
- Select Accept when the license terms appear.
- Choose Create installation media for another PC and click Next.
- Confirm the language, edition, and 64-bit architecture.
- Choose the USB flash drive option.
- Insert a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space.
- Select the drive and allow the tool to create the media.
Everything on the selected USB drive will be deleted. Copy any files you need from it before continuing. The computer running the tool also needs an internet connection and enough free storage for the download and temporary files.
Install from a USB or DVD
To perform a booted installation, insert the USB drive or DVD and restart the PC. Open the manufacturer’s boot menu or UEFI settings and select the installation media. Common startup keys include F2, F12, Delete, and Esc, but the correct key depends on the manufacturer.
If the USB or DVD does not appear, check the manufacturer’s boot instructions. Microsoft notes that the manufacturer may provide instructions for temporarily disabling Secure Boot in firmware so the media can be selected.
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A blank DVD must have at least 8 GB of capacity and requires a DVD burner. If Windows reports “disc image file is too large,” Microsoft recommends using a higher-capacity Dual Layer DVD instead.
Fix common boot-loop situations
- The PC starts Windows instead of the installer: the boot order may not have been changed, or the computer may not have fully shut down. Choose Shut down from the sign-in screen or Start menu, then retry from the boot menu.
- The installer appears again after installation: remove the USB/DVD or restore the internal drive to the normal first position in the boot order. Otherwise, the PC may boot into the installer instead of the newly installed Windows copy.
ARM64 and x64 are not interchangeable
The ISO described above is specifically for x64 devices. If the target PC uses an ARM processor—such as some Windows-on-ARM laptops—use the separate Windows 11 ISOs for Arm64 devices link on Microsoft’s download page. Do not assume that an x64 ISO or the standard Media Creation Tool is appropriate for that machine.
Internet and account requirements during setup
Microsoft currently requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial setup for Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use. Connect the PC to the internet and have the relevant Microsoft account available before starting setup.
FAQ
Is the current Windows 11 ISO 24H2 or 25H2?
Microsoft’s current public download page identifies the release as Windows 11 2025 Update, version 25H2. Claims that the current public ISO is 24H2 are outdated.
Is the Windows 11 ISO only for Windows 11 Pro?
No. Microsoft describes it as a multi-edition ISO. The product key or digital license determines the edition that installs or activates.
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Can I use the Media Creation Tool to make ARM64 media?
No. Microsoft states that the standard tool creates installation media only for x64 processors. ARM64 ISOs are offered through a separate link.
How long does the Microsoft ISO download link work?
Each generated link is valid for 24 hours. Microsoft shows the expiration time in UTC. Generate a new link if the old one expires.
Can I install Windows 11 by opening the ISO?
Yes. Mount the ISO in Windows Explorer and run setup.exe to begin an upgrade of the current operating system. This does not boot a clean installation environment.
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What should I do if my ISO hash does not match?
Delete the suspect file, download the ISO again from Microsoft, and calculate the SHA-256 hash again with PowerShell. Make sure you compare it with the hash for the same language and architecture.
The Bottom Line
For a standard compatible PC, download the Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices) from Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices section. Select the correct product language, verify the file with Get-FileHash, then either mount it and run setup.exe for an upgrade or use the Media Creation Tool to build bootable installation media. Use the separate ARM64 download for ARM-based PCs.
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