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Yes—if you want to upgrade the Windows installation already running on your PC, you can install Windows 11 26H2 without a USB drive. Download the ISO from Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page, mount it in File Explorer, then open the virtual disc and run setup.exe. Microsoft describes this as an upgrade of the current operating system, not a clean install on a blank PC.
Before you download the Windows 11 ISO
On the Microsoft download page checked for this article, the release is labeled “Windows 11 2026 Update | Version 26H2.” Release labels and availability can change, so confirm the page shows the version you intend to install before downloading.
- Check compatibility: Not every Windows 10 PC qualifies for Windows 11. Review Microsoft’s current device specifications and your manufacturer’s driver compatibility information. Microsoft warns that installing on hardware below minimum requirements can cause compatibility problems; the device may be unsupported and may not be entitled to updates.
- Match the architecture: Select the ISO for your device—x64 or Arm64. The download page offers x64 and links to Arm64 ISOs.
- Match the language: Choose the same installation language as the Windows installation currently on the PC.
- Make room and connect to the internet: You need an internet connection to download the ISO and sufficient storage to save it. Microsoft does not give a universal free-space figure for the mounted-ISO method; the 9 GB figure on its page applies to the separate Installation Assistant instructions.
- Back up first: Save your work and back up the PC before starting the installation.
How to install Windows 11 26H2 from an ISO without USB
- Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and choose the Windows 11 ISO download option. Confirm the page’s release label before proceeding.
- Select the ISO architecture and language that match your PC and current Windows installation, then download the ISO. Microsoft says you can save it on the computer or an external drive; an external drive is optional, not required.
- In File Explorer, locate the downloaded ISO. If Windows does not offer a mount option, right-click the file, open Properties, and under General use Change to select Windows Explorer as the app for opening ISO files.
- Right-click the ISO and select Mount. Windows creates a virtual disc. Open that disc and double-click
setup.exe. - Follow the Windows Setup prompts to upgrade the current operating system. Available prompts can vary by device; check the manufacturer’s driver information as well as the PC’s specifications.
What this method does—and when it is not enough
Mounting the ISO and running setup.exe from within Windows is an in-place upgrade path: Setup runs from the existing operating system. It is not the method Microsoft describes for starting a clean installation on a blank disk or reinstalling Windows by booting the PC from installation media.
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For a clean install or a reinstall that requires booting from media, Microsoft points to creating bootable USB or DVD installation media. Its page’s “at least 8 GB” requirement applies to that media-creation guidance, not to mounting an ISO inside Windows.
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Other ways to upgrade, and the architecture difference
| Method | Best suited to | Important conditions |
|---|---|---|
Mount the ISO and run setup.exe |
Upgrading the Windows PC currently in use without bootable media | Select the correct architecture and language; the process upgrades the current operating system. |
| Bootable USB or DVD | Installing on another or blank PC, or performing a reinstall that starts from installation media | Microsoft’s media-creation instructions specify at least 8 GB for a blank USB or DVD. |
| Installation Assistant | Upgrading a supported x64 PC using Microsoft’s guided assistant | Microsoft specifies an x64 processor, a Windows 10/11 license, Windows 10 version 2004 or later, and 9 GB of free disk space for this assistant. |
The Installation Assistant’s x64-only support is distinct from the ISO download options. For an Arm-based PC, use the official Arm64 ISO route or follow Microsoft’s guidance on update availability rather than using the x64-only assistant.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Optional: verify the ISO download
If you want to check the downloaded ISO’s integrity, Microsoft documents calculating its SHA-256 hash with PowerShell’s Get-FileHash and comparing the result with the corresponding value on its download page. Use the value for the same ISO; a hash is useful only when it is compared with the matching published value.
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