Here are three options for installing or creating media for Windows 11. Take a look at each option to determine which one is right for you.
If you are updating from Windows 10, we recommend that you wait until the notification via Windows Update that the update is ready for your PC.
Downloads on Windows 11
Before installing, refer to the app to verify that your device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 and review it for known issues that may affect your device.
Windows 11 Installation Assistant
This is the best option for installing Windows 11 on your device currently in use.
- Go to .
- Under the heading Windows 11 installation assistant, click on Download now.
This assistant is for users who want to:
- Upgrade a Windows 10 PC to Windows 11.
Before you begin, check for the following conditions:
- You have a Windows 10 license.
- Your PC must have Windows 10, version 2004 or later to run the Setup Assistant.
- Your PC meets the for upgrade requirements and supported features. Some features require additional hardware. We also recommend that you visit the PC manufacturer's website for information on updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
- To download Windows 11, your PC must have 9GB of free disk space.
After downloading the Installation Assistant:
- SelectRun. You must be an administrator to run this tool.
- Once the tool confirms the hardware compatibility of the device, the license terms will be displayed. Select Accept and Install.
- When the tool is ready, click the button Restart now to complete the installation on your computer.
- Windows 11 installation may take some time and your PC will restart several times. Make sure you don't shut down your PC.
If you need installation media to install Windows 11 on a different PC or ARM64 device, see Creating Windows 11 installation media
Creating Windows 11 installation media
If you want to perform a reinstall or clean install of Windows 11 on a new or used PC, use this option to download the media creation tool to make a bootable USB media or DVD.
- Go to .
- Under the heading Creating installation media for Windows 11 click on Download now.
To get started, you must first have a license to install Windows 11 or a Windows 10 device that is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11.
Make sure you have:
- An Internet connection (Internet service provider charges may apply).
- Sufficient data storage space on your computer, USB flash drive, or external drive to download the ISO file.
- A blank DVD disc with at least 8GB (and DVD burner) to create a bootable disc. We recommend that you use a blank USB flash drive or blank DVD, as any content on it will be deleted during installation.
- If you see the message that the disc image file size is too large when trying to burn a bootable DVD disc from an ISO file, it is recommended that you use a higher capacity Dual Layer DVD.
Make sure the PC you want to install Windows 11 on:
- Be equipped with a 64-bit CPU: Windows 11 can only run on 64-bit CPUs. To check if it exists on your PC, go to Settings> System> Information or search for "System Information" in Windows, then "System Type".
- Meet the system requirements: not all devices running Windows 10 are eligible to receive an upgrade to Windows 11. See the for upgrade requirements and supported features. Some features require additional hardware. We also recommend that you visit the PC manufacturer's website for information on updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
- NOTICE: Installing Windows 11 media on a PC that does not meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended and may cause compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the requirements, that PC will no longer be supported and will no longer be eligible to receive updates. PC damage caused by lack of compatibility is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
- Match current language: you will have to choose the same language when installing Windows 11. To see the language in use, go to Date / time and language in PC Settings or go to Geographic area in Control Panel.
Using the media creation tool to create installation media:
- After downloading, run the media creation tool. You must be an administrator to run this tool.
- If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
- On the page Choose the operation to perform select Create installation media for another PC, Then NEXT.
- Select the language, edition and architecture (64-bit) for Windows 11.
- Select the media you want to use:
- USB flash drive: connect a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.
- File ISO: save an ISO file on your PC. It can be used to create bootable DVD media. After downloading the file, you can go to the location where it was saved or select Open DVD burner, and follow the instructions to burn the file to a DVD.
After creating the installation media, follow these steps to use it.
- To check for updates now, select the Start button, then go to Settings> Windows Update and choose Check for updates. You can also visit the device manufacturer's support site for any additional drivers you may need.
Note: Drivers for Surface devices are available on the page.
Before installing Windows 11, it is recommended that you save any work and back up your PC. If you used the media creation tool to download an ISO file for Windows 11, remember to burn it to a DVD before performing this procedure:
- Plug in the USB flash drive or insert the DVD into the PC where you want to install Windows 11.
- Reboot the PC.
- If your PC does not automatically boot with USB or DVD media, you may need to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC's BIOS or UEFI settings.
- To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you usually need to press a key (such as F2, F12, DEL, or ESC) right after turning on your PC. For instructions on how to access the boot menu or change the PC boot order, see the documentation that came with your PC or visit the manufacturer's website.
- If your USB or DVD media device is not listed in the boot options, you may need to contact your PC manufacturer for instructions on how to temporarily disable Secure Boot in the BIOS settings.
- If changing the boot menu or order does not work and the PC immediately boots into the operating system to be replaced, it is possible that the PC has not shut down completely. To make sure the PC shutdown is complete, select the power button on the login screen or Start menu, then choose Shut Down.
- On the page Installa Windows select your language, time and keyboard preferences, then NEXT.
- Select Installa Windows
Downloading the Windows 11 disk image (ISO)
This option is intended for users who want to create bootable installation media (USB flash drive or DVD) or virtual machine (.iso file) to install Windows 11. This download is a multi-edition ISO file that uses code Product Key to unlock the correct edition.
- Go to .
- Under Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) Download entry, select Windows 11 and press Download.
Make sure you have:
- An Internet connection (Internet service provider charges may apply).
- Sufficient data storage space on your computer, USB flash drive, or external drive to download the ISO file.
- A blank DVD disc with at least 8GB (and DVD burner) to create a bootable disc. We recommend that you use a blank USB flash drive or blank DVD, as any content on it will be deleted during installation.
- If you see the message that the disc image file size is too large when trying to burn a bootable DVD disc from an ISO file, it is recommended that you use a higher capacity Dual Layer DVD.
Make sure the PC you want to install Windows 11 on:
- Be equipped with a 64-bit CPU: Windows 11 can only run on 64-bit CPUs. To verify that it is present on your PC, go to to Settings> System> About or search for "System Information" in Windows, then "System Type".
- Meet the system requirements: not all devices running Windows 10 are eligible to receive an upgrade to Windows 11. See the for upgrade requirements and supported features. Some features require additional hardware. We also recommend that you visit the PC manufacturer's website for information on updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
- NOTICE: Installing Windows 11 media on a PC that does not meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended and may cause compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the requirements, that PC will no longer be supported and will no longer be eligible to receive updates. PC damage caused by lack of compatibility is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Once the download is complete, you can use the option Verify your download to ensure file integrity.
Installation Instructions (DVD):
- Locate the folder where you downloaded the Windows 11 ISO.
- To use the Windows Disc Image Burner to create the installation DVD, right-click the ISO file and select Property. On the "General" tab, click "Change ..." next to "Open with:" and select Windows Explorer. Select Apply. This will enable the option Burn disc image, to be displayed when you right-click the ISO file.
- To use a third-party DVD burning program, you can right-click the ISO file and select Open with.
Installation Instructions (ISO):
- If you want to install Windows 11 directly from the ISO file without using a DVD or USB flash drive, you can do so by mounting the ISO file. This will perform an upgrade of the current operating system to Windows 11.
- To mount the ISO file:
- Go to the path where you downloaded the ISO file. Then, right click on the ISO file and select Property.
- On the "General" tab, click "Change ..." next to "Open with:" and choose Windows Explorer for the program you want to use to open ISO files, then select Apply.
- Right-click the ISO file and select Monta.
- • This will create a “virtual” startup disk. Double-click on it to view the files inside it. Double-click setup.exe to start the installation of Windows 11
