Windows 11 ISO download: only from Microsoft's official site (and why)
Windows 11 installation files are downloaded for free from Microsoft's own website. You do not need a license to download them; the license (product key) is needed for activation after installation. So there is no reason to download Windows from any other site.
Official download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
The three options on the page
| Option | What it is for | For a new PC without an operating system |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 Installation Assistant | Upgrades the Windows 10 PC you are using now to Windows 11 | Not suitable (there is no Windows on the PC) |
| Create Windows 11 Installation Media (Media Creation Tool) | Prepares an installation USB drive or ISO file on another computer | Easiest way |
| Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices | Downloads a single ISO file to write to USB with Rufus/Ventoy or use in a virtual machine | If you will use Rufus or Ventoy |
The Media Creation Tool and the ISO are for x64 (64-bit) processors. The ISO for Arm-based devices is on a separate Microsoft page.
Downloading the ISO
- Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11.
- In the "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices" section, choose "Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices)" from the drop-down menu and select Download Now.
- Choose the language under "Select the product language" and select Confirm.
- Download the file with the link that appears. According to Microsoft, the links are valid for 24 hours.
The ISO contains several editions (Home, Pro...); your product key decides which edition is installed.
Why stay away from "MSDN ISO", "pre-activated Windows" sites?
Files distributed as "MSDN ISO", "original ISO" or "activated Windows" do not come from Microsoft. It is possible to add programs to an ISO file or modify the installation, and you cannot tell from the outside. Because the operating system can access everything on the computer, a modified Windows installation is the most dangerous kind of file: your passwords, banking details and files are put at risk.
Microsoft also states that non-genuine copies of Windows may not receive some updates and features.
In short: download Windows only from microsoft.com. It is free, so there is no need for any other source.
Verify the ISO you downloaded (optional)
Microsoft's download page recommends checking that your file is intact with its SHA256 value. In Windows PowerShell:
Get-FileHash .\Win11_English_x64.iso -Algorithm SHA256
Compare the result with the value for your language in the "Verify your download" section of the download page; it must be exactly the same. (The file name and path depend on the edition you downloaded and the folder you saved it to.)
Next step: preparing the installation USB drive.