How to Download Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft (Official & Safe)

If you have been looking for a safe, official way to download Windows 11 ISO, including the Windows 11 Pro ISO, you are in the right place. I will show you exactly how to get the latest file straight from Microsoft so you can avoid dodgy links and outdated builds.

Windows 11 receives regular cumulative updates. The ISO you download from Microsoft will install the latest release available for your device(24H2), and Windows Update will bring it fully up to date after setup. I will keep this guide current and focused on the official sources that stay live.

If you need the Windows 10 ISO instead, go here: Download Windows 10 ISO. Or if you prefer not to do a clean install, you can upgrade to Windows 11 using Microsoft’s tools.

Feel free to contact us or leave a comment below if you have any questions or feedback.

Table of Contents

How to download Windows 11

Microsoft provides several official ways to get the Windows 11 ISO including direct downloading the iso, creating a usb/dvd, using an installation assistant and using websites like OS. Below we have all the methods for you to follow.

Method 1: Direct ISO from Microsoft

Open the Windows 11 download page.
Scroll to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).
Select Windows 11, click Download, choose your product language, and confirm.
Pick 64-bit Download, then save the file. The link is time limited, it lasts for 24 hours, so start the download right away.
You can also download Windows 11 ISOs for Arm64.

Method 2: Using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool

Using the Media Creation Tool is recommended if you want to create a USB or prefer a guided setup. Read more.

Go to the Windows 11 download page.
Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, click Download now.
Run the tool, accept the terms, and choose Create installation media to make a USB or save an ISO.
Follow the prompts to finish and verify your USB boots on your target device.

Method 3: Using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

Use this if you want a guided in‑place upgrade on a supported PC. Full guide.

On the same page, under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, click Download now.
Run it, accept the license, and follow the steps to upgrade your current Windows installation.

Method 4: Use OS.click

OS.click is a third‑party site that points you to official Microsoft download links in a direct way. If you prefer not to navigate Microsoft’s page, this can save time.

Visit OS.click, select Windows 11, then choose your edition and language.

Note: Only use links that resolve to microsoft.com or software-download.microsoft.com and always verify the checksum after download.

Watch the full video guide:

If you prefer to watch, follow the step by step video.

Verify your Windows 11 ISO

Verifying the ISO ensures the file is authentic and has not been altered.

Open Command Prompt and run:

certutil -hashfile "C:\Path\To\Win11.iso" SHA256

Compare the result with Microsoft’s SHA‑256 for your ISO build. If it does not match, delete the file and download again.

Windows 11 system requirements

Before you install, make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11. You can also confirm with the PC Health Check app.

Component	Minimum Requirement
Processor	1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores on a 64‑bit processor or SoC on Microsoft’s supported list
RAM	4 GB or more
Storage	64 GB or larger
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM	TPM 2.0
Graphics	DirectX 12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display	720p or higher, greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8‑bit per color channel
Internet and account	Internet connection and Microsoft account required for setup

These are the official minimums. For a smoother experience, I recommend at least 8 GB of RAM and an SSD.

Tip: If your device does not meet these requirements or you are planning a new purchase, see our guide to the
best Surface laptops for Windows.

Windows 11 Home vs Windows 11 Pro

Both editions share the same core Windows 11 experience, including the redesigned interface, Snap Layouts, Widgets, gaming features like Auto HDR, and built‑in security such as Windows Hello and Secure Boot. The main differences come down to advanced security, management, and hardware support.

Feature	Windows 11 Home	Windows 11 Pro
Price (standalone)	Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon
Max RAM	128 GB	2 TB
CPU sockets supported	1	2
BitLocker device encryption	No	Yes
Windows Information Protection	No	Yes
Remote Desktop (host)	No (can connect as a client)	Yes (can host connections)
Hyper‑V virtualization	No	Yes
Windows Sandbox	No	Yes
Group Policy Management	No	Yes
Best for	Everyday home and casual users	Business, IT pros, power users

Tip: If you start with Windows 11 Home and later need Pro features, you can upgrade through the Microsoft Store without reinstalling.

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How does Windows 11 look (screenshots)

Here are some screenshots of Windows 11 so you can get a quick feel for its layout, Start menu, and overall design.

Common problems that can come up and fixes

If you run into problems downloading or installing Windows 11 using the ISO file, here are some common issues and how to fix them.

Download link expired: ISO links from Microsoft are time limited. Refresh the page and generate a new link.
Slow download speed: Try a wired Ethernet connection and pause other large downloads on your network.
Media Creation Tool will not run: Run as administrator and ensure antivirus is not blocking it. Re‑download the tool if it fails to start.
ISO will not mount: Right click the file and select Mount, or use Open with and choose File Explorer.
USB will not boot: Recreate the USB with the Media Creation Tool. In firmware settings, enable USB boot and confirm Secure Boot and TPM settings match Windows 11 requirements.
Activation issues after install: Sign in with the Microsoft account that holds your digital license and run Windows Update.