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Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool only from Microsoft’s official Windows 10 download page. The page currently provides the Windows 10 2022 Update, version 22H2. The tool can create a bootable USB flash drive, save an ISO file, burn installation media to a DVD, or upgrade the PC you are currently using.
Before downloading, note that normal Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 still runs, but Microsoft no longer provides regular free security updates, feature updates, or technical support. Eligible Windows 10 version 22H2 consumer devices may receive Extended Security Updates through October 12, 2027.
Official Windows 10 Media Creation Tool download
Open Microsoft’s Download Windows 10 page and find the section titled Create Windows 10 installation media. Select Download Now. Microsoft refers to the resulting control as Download tool now.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The downloaded executable is generally named MediaCreationTool.exe. Microsoft may add the release number, producing a filename such as MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe. The official link may redirect through Microsoft’s go.microsoft.com domain; that is expected. Avoid third-party download mirrors when the Microsoft page is available.
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What the Media Creation Tool can create
| Media | What you need | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| USB flash drive | Blank USB drive with at least 8 GB | Booting a PC to install or reinstall Windows |
| ISO file | Storage space on the working PC or an external drive | Mounting the installer, creating a DVD, or saving installation media for later |
| DVD | Blank DVD and DVD burner | Installing Windows on a PC that supports optical media |
The selected USB drive will be erased, so copy anything important from it first. If the ISO is too large for a standard DVD, Microsoft says to use dual-layer DVD media.
What to check before running the tool
- Use a reliable internet connection. Your internet provider may charge for data usage.
- Have enough free space on the PC or external drive used to download the installation files.
- Use an administrator account or run the tool with administrator permissions.
- Back up personal files before upgrading or reinstalling Windows.
- Confirm that the target PC’s language, edition, and processor architecture match the media you create.
- Have a Windows 10 license or an existing digital license.
To check the installed Windows edition, go to Start → Settings → System → About. Look under Windows specifications → Edition. The edition must match the license—for example, Windows 10 Home with a Home license or Windows 10 Pro with a Pro license.
The Media Creation Tool does not provide Windows 10 Enterprise. Microsoft directs Enterprise customers to the Microsoft 365 admin center or the applicable subscription portal.
Create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive
- Open Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page.
- Under Create Windows 10 installation media, select Download Now.
- Open the downloaded executable. If necessary, right-click it and select Run as administrator.
- At License terms, select Accept.
- At What do you want to do?, select Create installation media for another PC, then select Next.
- Choose the required language, edition, and architecture. Choose 64-bit (x64) or 32-bit (x86) based on the target PC.
- At Choose which media to use, select USB flash drive, then select Next.
- Connect a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of usable capacity.
- Select the correct USB drive from the list. Check its drive letter and capacity carefully, then confirm the warning that its contents will be deleted.
- Wait while the tool downloads Windows 10 and makes the drive bootable. Keep the PC connected to the internet until the process finishes.
An 8 GB drive is Microsoft’s minimum, but capacity shown by a drive can vary slightly. If the tool reports that the drive is too small, use a larger blank USB drive rather than deleting files manually.
Boot another PC from the USB
- Insert the created USB drive into the target PC.
- Restart the PC.
- Open the manufacturer’s boot menu or firmware setup. Common keys include F2, F12, Delete, and Esc, although the correct key depends on the manufacturer.
- Select the USB device from the boot menu.
- At the Windows Setup screen, select the language, time, and keyboard preferences, then select Next.
- Select Install Windows.
Booting from the USB starts Windows Setup; it does not automatically mean that the installation will be clean. A clean installation requires choosing the installation option that removes the existing Windows installation and data. Back up files first.
If the USB does not appear in the boot menu, Microsoft notes that the PC may require a temporary Secure Boot configuration change. Check the computer manufacturer’s instructions before changing UEFI or BIOS settings.
Save an ISO file instead
Choose ISO file at the Choose which media to use screen if you want to save the installer for later.
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- Select ISO file, then select Next.
- Choose a location with sufficient free space and allow the tool to finish downloading.
- Keep the ISO in a clearly named folder, such as
C:Windows10, if you plan to use it later.
Mount the ISO and run Setup
To use the ISO from an existing Windows installation, right-click it and select Properties. On the General tab, select Change… beside “Opens with,” choose Windows Explorer, and select Apply. Then right-click the ISO and select Mount.
Open the mounted drive and double-click setup.exe. Running Setup from inside Windows follows an upgrade path; it is not the same as booting the computer from installation media for a clean installation.
Burn the ISO to a DVD
- Right-click the ISO and select Properties.
- On the General tab, select Change…, choose Windows Explorer, and select Apply.
- Right-click the ISO again and select Burn disc image.
- Insert a blank DVD and follow the burner prompts.
Upgrade the current PC with the tool
If you do not need a USB or ISO, you can use the tool to upgrade the computer on which it is running:
- Download the tool from Microsoft and select Run.
- Accept the license terms.
- At What do you want to do?, select Upgrade this PC now, then select Next.
- When the installation summary appears, select Change what to keep.
- Choose Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, or Nothing.
- Save your work, close applications, and select Install.
The PC will restart several times. The “Keep personal files and apps” option is the least disruptive, but you should still back up important data before starting.
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- USB will work on any type of computer (make or model). Creates a new copy of Windows! DOES NOT INCLUDE product key.
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- Please remember that this DVD does not come with a KEY CODE. You will need to obtain a Windows Key Code in order to use the reinstall option
Activation and license problems
If Windows 10 was previously activated on the same PC, reinstalling normally does not require a product key. Activation should occur later through the device’s digital license. A product key may also be embedded in the device firmware, in which case Windows Setup may not display a product-key screen.
Common activation problems include:
- Wrong edition: Installing Pro on a device licensed for Home, or the reverse, can prevent activation.
- Major hardware change: Replacing the motherboard can cause Windows to lose its activation association. Microsoft’s Activation troubleshooter may help.
- Wrong language or architecture: Select the language and 32-bit/64-bit architecture appropriate for the target PC.
- No qualifying license: The tool creates installation media; it does not supply a license for an unlicensed Windows installation.
Clean-install warning
A clean installation can remove personal files, installed applications, manufacturer customizations, settings, and other data from the target Windows disk. Back up documents, browser data, license information, and anything else you need before proceeding.
If the PC contains more than one disk, identify the disk number carefully during Windows Setup. Deleting partitions from the wrong disk can destroy data on another drive. Disconnecting nonessential drives before a clean install can reduce this risk, provided doing so is practical for the PC.
Windows 10 support after downloading
Downloading Windows 10 version 22H2 does not restore Microsoft’s normal support lifecycle. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. The operating system continues to function, but unsupported systems do not receive regular free security fixes, feature updates, or technical support.
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Microsoft’s current Consumer Extended Security Updates information says eligible devices running Windows 10 version 22H2 may receive coverage through October 12, 2027. The listed consumer editions include Home, Professional, Pro Education, and Workstations. ESU provides covered security updates, not new features or general technical support. If the PC supports Windows 11, upgrading may be the safer long-term option.
FAQ
Where is the official Windows 10 Media Creation Tool?
Download it from Microsoft’s Download Windows 10 page. Under Create Windows 10 installation media, select Download Now or Download tool now.
How large must the USB drive be?
Microsoft requires a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB. The tool deletes all content on the selected drive, so back up the drive first. A larger drive may be necessary if an 8 GB drive does not provide enough usable capacity.
Can the Media Creation Tool create Windows 10 Enterprise media?
No. Microsoft says Windows 10 Enterprise is not available through the Media Creation Tool. Enterprise customers should obtain it through the Microsoft 365 admin center or their applicable subscription portal.
Will reinstalling Windows 10 require a product key?
Usually not if Windows 10 was already activated on that PC and you install the same edition. Microsoft says activation can occur through the device’s digital license. The installed edition must match the license, and a major hardware change may require activation troubleshooting.
The Bottom Line
Use Microsoft’s official Windows 10 download page, select Download Now, and choose Create installation media for another PC if you need a bootable USB or ISO. A blank USB of at least 8 GB is required and will be erased. Check the language, architecture, and edition before creating media, back up data before reinstalling, and remember that Windows 10’s normal support ended on October 14, 2025.
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