Windows 11 is now available for download as an optional upgrade through Windows Update. However, you can also download the ISO file, if you want to start fresh with a clean installation, or you are trying to install Windows 11 on an unsupported hardware configuration.
In previous releases, you needed to use workarounds, but you can now download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from the Microsoft support website.
In this guide, you will learn the steps to download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from the Microsoft servers. (See also this video tutorial at the Pureinfotech YouTube channel to complete this task.)
Windows 11 ISO file direct download
To direct download the ISO file of Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Microsoft Support website.
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Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.
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Click the Download button.
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Select the installation language.
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Click the Confirm button.
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Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.
After downloading the ISO file, you can use tools, such as Rufus to create a bootable media of Windows 11.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.