UPDATED 10/9/2023: Although you can download the ISO file to install Windows 10 from the Microsoft support website, you can only download the latest version, as the website does not include an option to select older versions.
However, if you upgraded a device by mistake, you are experiencing compatibility problems with a new version, or you do not like the latest release, you can download older versions of Windows 10 using the Rufus tool to roll back to a previous version.
Rufus is a free third-party tool designed to create a bootable USB flash drive to install Windows 10 (or Windows 11). However, unlike the Media Creation Tool, Rufus can also download the ISO file and prepare the bootable media using an older version of Windows 10.
In this guide, you will learn the steps to use Rufus to download the ISO file and create a media to install older versions of Windows 10, even if they are no longer supported.
Download older versions of Windows 10 from Rufus
To create a USB media with an older version of Windows 10, use these steps:
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Under the “Download” section, click the link to download the latest version.
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Double-click the executable to launch the tool.
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Click the Settings button (third button from the left) at the bottom of the page.
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Under the “Settings” section, use the “Check for updates” drop-down menu and select the Daily option.
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Click the Close button.
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Click the Close button again to close the app.
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Open Rufus again.
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Under the “Device” section, use the drop-down menu and select the USB drive to create the installation media.
Quick tip: You’ll need to connect a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage. If you don’t see the device on the list, you may need to restart the tool. -
Under the “Boot selection” section, use the drop-down menu and select the Disk or ISO image option.
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Click the down arrow button on the right side, and select the Download option.
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Click the Download button.
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Select the Windows 10 option.
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Click the Continue button.
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Under the “Release” section, select the older version of Windows 10 to download, including:
- Version 22H2, November 2021 Update (Build number 19045).
- Version 21H2, November 2021 Update (Build number 19044).
- Version 20H2, October 2020 Update (Build number 19042).
- Version 2004, May 2020 Update (Build number 19041).
- Version 1909, November 2019 Update (Build number 18363).
- Version 1903, May 2019 Update (Build number 18362).
- Version 1809, October 2018 Update (Build number 17763).
- Version 1803, April 2018 Update (Build number 17134).
- Version 1709, Fall Creators Update (Build number 16299).
- Version 1703, Creators Update (Build number 15063).
- Version 1607, Anniversary Update (Build number 14393).
- Version 1511, November Update (Build number 10586).
- Version 1507, Initial Release (Build number 10240).
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Click the Continue button.
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Select the Windows 10 Home/Pro/Edu option.
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Click the Continue button.
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Select the language of Windows 10.
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Click the Continue button.
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Select the operating system architecture (x64 or x86). (If it’s a newer device, you’ll need to select the x64 option.)
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Click the Download button.
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Select the location to save the Windows 10 ISO automatically.
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Continue with the default settings after the download.
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Click the Start button.
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Click the OK button to skip the customization settings.
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Click the OK button to confirm the deletion of the USB drive data.
Once you complete the steps, you can use the bootable USB flash drive to install an older version of Windows 10 using a clean or in-place upgrade installation.
Update October 9, 2023: Microsoft is no longer offering the ability to download older versions of the operating system. As of the timing of this update, you can only use Rufus to download the latest release of Windows 10 or 11. However, you may still be able to access previous versions of the operating systems through MSDN (Microsoft Software Developer Network), but you will need a paid subscription subscription. Alternatively, you may still be able to find the ISOs elsewhere, but it’s not recommended since it’s virtually impossible to verify their authenticity.
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.