Windows 11

Download Windows 11 25H2 ISO (64-bit) FREE – Direct from Microsoft [2026 Guide]

Microsoft has officially released Windows 11 version 25H2 ISO images, which you can use to create bootable media and perform a clean installation. Here’s how to download the Windows 11 25H2 ISO directly from Microsoft’s official servers.

Steve Ballmer

January 2, 2026 Modified date: January 12, 2026

Microsoft has officially released Windows 11 version 25H2 ISO images, which you can use to create bootable media and perform a clean installation. In this guide, I’ll show you how to download the official Windows 11 25H2 ISO file (64‑bit) directly from Microsoft. I’ll also show you how to turn that ISO into a bootable USB drive for installing, reinstalling, or repairing Windows 11. You don’t need to be a technical expert – I’ll explain everything in simple language and in the correct order.

In this article, you’ll learn how to:

Download the official Windows 11 25H2 ISO (64‑bit) directly from Microsoft
Use the Media Creation Tool to get Windows 11 or create installation media
Create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive with Rufus
Use that USB to install, reinstall, or repair Windows 11 on your PC

Contents

1 Quick Info: Windows 11 Version 25H2 ISO
2 How to Clean Install Windows 11 25H2 from USB

Quick Info: Windows 11 Version 25H2 ISO

Here’s a quick overview of the latest Windows 11 feature update at the time of writing:

Name: Windows 11 Version 25H2
OS Build: 26200 (11.0.26200.1)
Availability date: September 30, 2025
Architecture: 64-bit only (no 32-bit version)
Approx. ISO size: ~7.2 GB (varies slightly by language)
Channel: Semi-Annual
Price: Free as an update for eligible Windows 10 (2004 and later) and Windows 11 devices

Note: Always cross-check the latest build and release notes on the official Microsoft website, as newer cumulative updates may have been released after this article was published.

As of today, January 12, 2026, Windows 11 version 25H2 OS build 26200 is the latest release from Microsoft. Here is the Direct download link

Windows 11 25H2 English (all editions) 64-bit – 7.2 GB.

windows 11 version 25H2 ISO download

This Windows 11 ISO file contains all the Editions listed below:

Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Pro
Windows 11 Pro Education
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
Windows 11 Enterprise
Windows 11 Education

Download Windows 11 25H2 ISO (64-bit) from Microsoft

The safest way to download Windows 11 25H2 ISO 64-bit is directly from Microsoft’s servers. You should avoid third-party ISO download websites for security reasons.

Direct ISO Download Method (Browser Only)

This method lets you download Windows 11 25H2 ISO direct from Microsoft using your browser, no extra tools needed.

Open your favorite browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.).
Go to the official Windows 11 download page on Microsoft’s website.
- You can search in Google for “Windows 11 download Microsoft” and choose the result from microsoft.com.
Scroll down until you find the section “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” or similar wording.
Under Select edition, choose Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO), which includes Windows 11 25H2, then click Download.
Under Select the product language, choose your preferred language (for example, English (United States)) and click Confirm.

A new option will appear labeled 64-bit Download. Click it to start downloading.

Note: You will only see a 64-bit download because Windows 11 is 64-bit only.

The ISO file is about 7.2 GB, so download time will depend on your internet speed.
Make sure you have enough disk space (at least 12–15 GB free) on the drive where you’re downloading the file.

windows 11 version 25H2 ISO download
This method is perfect if you simply want to download Windows 11 25H2 ISO 64-bit and then create a bootable USB manually.

Download Windows 11 ISO Using the Media Creation Tool

If you prefer a tool that guides you through the process, Microsoft offers the Media Creation Tool. It can either create a bootable USB automatically or download the ISO file for you.

When to Use the Media Creation Tool
Use this method if:

You want a simple, guided wizard without worrying about advanced options.
You’re creating installation media for the same PC or another PC.
You want to avoid mistakes with partition style and boot mode.

Steps to Download Windows 11 25H2 ISO via Media Creation Tool

Visit the official Windows 11 download page on Microsoft’s site.
In the section “Create Windows 11 Installation Media”, click Download now to get the Media Creation Tool.

Once downloaded, right-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file and select Run as administrator.
Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).
Read and accept the license terms to continue.

On the language and edition screen:
- Uncheck “Use the recommended options for this PC” if you want different language/edition.
- Choose your language, edition, and architecture (64-bit), then click Next.

On the media selection screen, choose:
- ISO file (if you only want the ISO) and click Next.

Choose where to save the ISO file, give it a friendly name (for example Win11_25H2_English_x64.iso), and click Save.

The tool will now download the latest Windows 11 25H2 ISO and verify the file. This can take some time depending on your internet speed and system performance.

Create a Windows 11 25H2 Bootable USB with Rufus

Once you have the ISO file, the next step is to create a Windows 11 25H2 bootable USB. One of the easiest tools for this is Rufus.

Tip: Use at least a 16 GB USB flash drive. All data on the drive will be erased, so back up anything important first.

Download and Open Rufus

Plug your USB flash drive into the PC.
Visit the official Rufus website (search for “Rufus download” and use the official site).
Download the latest version of Rufus (portable or setup).
Run rufus.exe. If prompted, click Yes to allow it to make changes.

Create the Bootable USB

In Rufus, under Device, select your USB flash drive.
Under Boot selection, choose Disk or ISO image, then click SELECT.
Browse to your downloaded Windows 11 25H2 ISO file and select it.
Rufus will automatically set some options based on your system, but you can adjust:
- Partition scheme:
  - GPT for UEFI (recommended for modern computers).
  - MBR for legacy BIOS/UEFI CSM if needed.
- File system: Usually NTFS for Windows 11 ISO.
Give your USB a Volume label, such as WIN11_25H2_USB (optional).
Click Start.
If Rufus warns that all data on the USB will be destroyed, click OK to confirm.

Rufus will now format the USB drive and copy Windows 11 25H2 setup files. When it shows READY, your bootable Windows 11 25H2 USB is prepared.

How to Clean Install Windows 11 25H2 from USB

Now that you have a bootable USB drive, you can perform a clean install of Windows 11 25H2 from it.

Warning: A clean install usually means erasing the system drive. Back up all important files to an external drive, cloud storage, or another partition before proceeding.

Prepare Your PC

Back up important documents, photos, game saves, and browser profiles.
Make sure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready (email and password).
If you use any paid software, note down license keys or sign-in details.

Boot from the USB Drive

Plug your Windows 11 25H2 bootable USB into the PC.
Restart your computer.
While it’s starting, press the correct key to open the Boot Menu or BIOS/UEFI (often F12, F2, Esc, or Del depending on the manufacturer).
In the boot menu, choose your USB drive as the boot device.
The PC will now boot into the Windows 11 Setup screen.

Perform the Clean Installation

Choose your language, time, and keyboard layout, then click Next.
Click Install now.
If asked for a product key, you can:
- Enter a valid Windows 11 or Windows 10 key, or
- Click I don’t have a product key if your device already has a digital license linked to your hardware or Microsoft account.

Choose the edition that matches your license (for example, Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro), then click Next.
Accept the license terms and click Next.
On the “Which type of installation do you want?” screen, choose:
- Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) for a clean install.
On the partition selection screen:
- Select the system drive (usually the largest partition or the one where Windows is currently installed).
- If you want a completely fresh start, you can delete existing Windows partitions and let setup create new ones automatically.
- Be very careful not to delete partitions that contain important data.
Click Next to begin the installation.

Your PC will copy files, install features and updates, and restart several times. When it’s done, follow the on-screen setup wizard to configure:

Region and keyboard layout
Network connection
Microsoft account sign-in
Privacy and security options

Install Windows 11 25H2 on Unsupported PCs (Bypass TPM & Secure Boot)

Important Disclaimer: Installing Windows 11 on hardware that does not meet Microsoft’s minimum requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU) is not recommended and may cause stability, compatibility, and security issues. Microsoft may also block some updates for unsupported systems. Proceed at your own risk.

That said, many users still search for “download Windows 11 25h2 iso for unsupported pc (bypass TPM)”. Common approaches include:

Modifying the registry during setup to skip TPM and CPU checks.
Using tools or custom scripts to patch the Windows 11 ISO.

Because these methods can break Microsoft’s guidelines and may change over time, it’s best to:

Refer to up-to-date, step-by-step guides specifically focused on bypassing requirements.
Always back up your entire system before trying these methods.

Whenever possible, I recommend:

Enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI if your hardware supports it.
Upgrading to a newer, supported CPU and motherboard if your device is too old.

Common Problems When Downloading or Installing Windows 11 ISO

Here are a few common issues users face and quick suggestions:

ISO Download Is Slow or Stuck

Check your internet speed (use a speed test site).
Pause other large downloads or streaming services.
Try a different browser or network (e.g., mobile hotspot) if possible.

Media Creation Tool Errors

Run the tool as administrator.
Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall (just during download).
Ensure you have at least 20 GB of free disk space on your system drive.

Rufus Doesn’t Detect the USB

Try reconnecting the flash drive or using a different USB port.
Test with another USB flash drive if available.

PC Won’t Boot from the USB

Re-enter BIOS/UEFI and change the boot order to put the USB first.
For UEFI systems, ensure the USB drive is formatted with the correct GPT/UEFI options in Rufus.

Should You Upgrade or Clean Install Windows 11 25H2?

You have two main options:

Upgrade (In-place):
- Keeps your apps, files, and settings.
- Use Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
Clean install (Fresh start):
- Wipes your Windows partition and installs a fresh copy.
- Often fixes performance problems, malware infections, and system corruption.

For most everyday users, upgrading via Windows Update is easier and safer. For power users, IT professionals, or if the system is very slow or buggy, a clean install may be the better choice.

Final Thoughts
Using the methods above, you can safely download Windows 11 25H2 ISO 64-bit, create a bootable USB with Rufus, and clean install Windows 11 from USB on compatible PCs. Always prefer official Microsoft sources for downloads, keep a backup of your files, and double-check your hardware’s compatibility before installing.