Create Windows 11 25H2 USB or ISO With Media Creation Tool

Microsoft’s Windows 11 Media Creation Tool creates an official bootable USB drive or ISO for reinstalling, repairing, upgrading, or clean-installing Windows 11. These instructions cover Windows 11 version 25H2—the current release listed by Microsoft as of July 2026—and x64 PCs. The tool does not create Arm64 installation media.

Before you create the installation media​

You need:

• A Windows PC and an administrator account.
• A reliable internet connection.
• A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of capacity, or enough storage for an ISO file.
• A valid Windows 11 license or an eligible Windows 10 license.
• An x64 target PC that meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements.

Warning: The Media Creation Tool deletes everything on the USB drive selected during creation. Back up the drive before continuing.
If you intend to reinstall Windows, complete these checks first:

1. Open Settings > System > About.
2. Under Windows specifications, record the installed edition, such as Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. Reinstall the same edition to preserve activation.
3. Open Settings > System > Activation and confirm that Windows is activated.
4. Back up personal files to OneDrive, another computer, or external storage.
5. If Device Encryption or BitLocker is enabled, make sure you can access the recovery key.
6. Check the PC manufacturer’s support service for current firmware and storage, network, and chipset drivers.

Microsoft does not recommend installing Windows 11 on hardware that fails its minimum requirements. Use the PC Health Check app before upgrading a Windows 10 computer or clean-installing Windows 11 on unfamiliar hardware.

Download the official Media Creation Tool​

Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page contains three separate options. Select the one under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, not Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

1. Open Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page.
2. Find Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
3. Select Download Now.
4. Save MediaCreationTool.exe.
5. Open the downloaded file.
6. Select Yes if User Account Control asks for permission.
7. Read the license terms and select Accept.

You must run the tool with administrator privileges. If Windows asks for administrator credentials, enter the username and password for an administrator account.
The Microsoft download page identifies the release supplied by the current tool. As of July 2026, the page lists Windows 11 2025 Update | Version 25H2. Because Microsoft updates the download independently of this guide, check the release name shown on the page before creating media for a version-specific repair.

Create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive​

Use this option when you need media that can boot a PC into Windows Setup.

1. Connect the blank USB flash drive to the computer.
2. In the Media Creation Tool, select Create installation media for another PC.
3. Select Next.
4. Choose the required language, Windows 11 edition, and 64-bit architecture.
5. Select Next.
6. Choose USB flash drive.
7. Select Next.
8. Select the correct removable drive from the list.

Warning: Confirm the drive letter and capacity before proceeding. The selected USB drive will be erased.

1. Select Next.
2. Allow the tool to download Windows 11 and create the bootable drive.
3. When the completion message appears, select Finish.
4. Use the taskbar’s removable-device control to eject the USB drive safely.

The process may take some time because the tool must download Windows, verify the files, format the USB drive, and copy the installation files.
To check the result:

1. Reconnect the USB drive if necessary.
2. Open File Explorer > This PC.
3. Open the USB drive.
4. Confirm that it contains files and folders including setup.exe, boot, and sources.

Do not format or alter the finished USB unless you no longer need it as installation media.

Create a Windows 11 ISO file​

Choose an ISO when you want to:

• Mount the installation image inside Windows.
• Keep a reusable copy on local or external storage.
• Use Windows 11 in a compatible virtual machine.
• Burn an installation DVD later.

To create it:

1. Run MediaCreationTool.exe.
2. Select Accept.
3. Choose Create installation media for another PC.
4. Select Next.
5. Confirm the language, edition, and 64-bit architecture.
6. Select Next.
7. Choose ISO file.
8. Select Next.
9. Choose a folder and filename for the ISO.
10. Select Save.
11. Wait for the download and file creation to finish.
12. Select Finish, or choose Open DVD burner if you want to create a disc immediately.

Store the ISO on a drive with sufficient free space. Do not save it to a USB drive that you plan to erase or repurpose during the same procedure.

Mount the ISO inside Windows​

Mounting the ISO lets you run Windows Setup without creating physical media.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Locate the downloaded ISO.
3. Right-click the file and select Mount.
4. Open This PC.
5. Open the new virtual DVD drive.
6. Double-click setup.exe.

If Mount is missing:

1. Right-click the ISO and select Properties.
2. Next to Opens with, select Change.
3. Choose Windows Explorer.
4. Select OK, followed by Apply.
5. Right-click the ISO again and select Mount.

To disconnect the mounted image afterward, right-click its virtual DVD drive under This PC and select Eject.

Burn the ISO to a DVD​

A DVD is useful only when the target PC has a bootable DVD drive. A USB drive is normally faster and more widely supported.
You need:

• A DVD writer.
• A blank disc with enough capacity for the image.
• A higher-capacity Dual Layer DVD if Windows reports that the image is too large.

To burn the disc with Windows:

1. Locate the ISO in File Explorer.
2. Right-click it and select Burn disc image.
3. Select the correct disc burner.
4. Optionally select Verify disc after burning.
5. Select Burn.
6. Wait for the operation and verification to finish.

If Burn disc image is missing, change the ISO’s default app to Windows Explorer using the Properties procedure in the previous section.

Perform a repair reinstall while keeping files and apps​

Running setup.exe from inside an existing Windows installation performs an in-place reinstall or upgrade. This is the appropriate route when Windows still starts and you want to preserve installed applications.
An in-place reinstall is a fix for damaged Windows components. Booting from the USB and performing a clean installation is not equivalent and cannot preserve installed applications.

1. Sign in to Windows with an administrator account.
2. Connect the installation USB, insert the DVD, or mount the ISO.
3. Open File Explorer > This PC.
4. Open the installation media.
5. Double-click setup.exe.
6. Select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
7. Follow the Windows 11 Setup prompts.
8. At Ready to install, select Change what to keep if you need to alter the default.

Choose one of these options:

• Keep personal files and apps: Preserves personal data, compatible applications, and Windows settings.
• Keep personal files only: Preserves personal data but removes applications and Windows settings.
• Nothing: Removes personal files, applications, and settings.

1. Select Next.
2. Review the Ready to install page carefully.
3. Confirm that the page shows the Windows edition and retention option you intended.
4. Select Install.

The PC restarts several times. Keep it connected to power and do not force it off.
If Keep personal files and apps is unavailable, check that:

• Setup was launched from inside the existing Windows installation rather than by booting from the USB.
• The installation media’s language matches the installed Windows language.
• The media is not older than the installed Windows release.
• You selected the corresponding Windows edition and architecture.

Do not proceed with Nothing as a workaround unless you have backed up the PC and intend to erase its contents.

Clean-install Windows 11 from USB or DVD​

A clean installation is appropriate for a new drive, a seriously damaged installation, or a PC you deliberately want to erase.
Warning: The following procedure removes personal files, installed applications, manufacturer customizations, and Windows settings from the selected internal disk. Back up required data and disconnect unnecessary external drives before beginning.

1. Connect the Windows 11 USB drive or insert the installation DVD.
2. Shut down the target PC completely.
3. Turn on the PC and immediately open its boot menu.
4. Select the UEFI entry for the USB or DVD.

The boot-menu key depends on the manufacturer and model. Common keys include F2, F12, Delete, and Esc. Check the manufacturer’s documentation rather than repeatedly changing firmware settings.
If the media does not appear:

• Try another USB port, preferably one built into the PC.
• Recreate the media with the Media Creation Tool.
• Confirm that the PC was fully shut down.
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions for UEFI boot settings.
• Avoid disabling Secure Boot unless the manufacturer specifically requires it and provides a supported procedure.

After Windows Setup starts:

1. Choose the language and localization settings.
2. Select Next.
3. Choose the keyboard settings.
4. Select Next.
5. Select Install Windows 11.
6. Select the acknowledgement that everything will be deleted, including files, apps, and settings.
7. Select Next.
8. If asked for a product key, enter it or select I don’t have a product key when the PC has a digital license or firmware-embedded key.
9. If prompted for an edition, select the edition that matches the license previously used on the PC.
10. Accept the applicable notices and license terms.

Warning: Deleting a partition permanently removes the files stored on that partition. Identify the intended Windows disk by its capacity. Do not alter another internal or external disk.

1. At Select location to install Windows 11, delete each existing partition on Disk 0 until only Disk 0 Unallocated Space remains.
2. Do not delete partitions on Disk 1 or another disk.
3. Select Disk 0 Unallocated Space.
4. Select Next.
5. At Ready to install, select Install.

Windows Setup creates the required partitions and restarts the computer several times.
If you changed the permanent UEFI boot order, restore the internal Windows drive as the first boot device after installation. Otherwise, the PC may restart into the installer again. Alternatively, remove the USB drive when Windows Setup begins booting from the internal drive.
Complete the Windows configuration screens, connect to the internet, and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the digital license when applicable.

Use the direct ISO download when the tool is unsuitable​

Microsoft also supplies a multi-edition Windows 11 ISO directly from the Windows 11 download page. This is useful when the Media Creation Tool fails or when you only need an ISO.
For an x64 PC:

1. Open Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page.
2. Find Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
3. Select Download Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices).
4. Select Download.
5. Choose the product language.
6. Confirm the selection.
7. Download the 64-bit ISO.

The generated download link is time-limited. Microsoft also publishes SHA-256 values on the page so that the completed ISO can be checked with PowerShell:
Get-FileHash "C:\Path\Windows11.iso" -Algorithm SHA256
Compare the returned hash with the value Microsoft lists for the same language and architecture.

Handle Windows 11 Arm64 PCs correctly​

The Media Creation Tool supports x64 media only. Do not use an x64 USB or ISO on an Arm-based PC.
Microsoft now supplies Windows 11 Arm64 ISO files separately. An Arm64 ISO can be:

• Mounted and run from an existing Windows on Arm installation.
• Used in a supported Arm64 virtual machine.
• Used to build bootable Arm64 media.

Microsoft recommends using the PC manufacturer’s recovery image when available because it includes device-specific boot, storage, networking, and input drivers. Some Arm devices cannot boot generic media without additional manufacturer drivers. Snapdragon X Series systems can boot Microsoft’s Arm64 media, but may still require Windows Update or manufacturer drivers to restore full hardware functionality after installation.

Troubleshoot Media Creation Tool failures​

The tool does not open​

• Right-click MediaCreationTool.exe and select Run as administrator.
• Download a fresh copy from Microsoft.
• Install pending updates under Settings > Windows Update and restart.
• Confirm that security software or an organization’s application-control policy is not blocking the executable.

The tool cannot see the USB drive​

• Disconnect and reconnect the USB drive.
• Try another USB port.
• Open Disk Management and verify that Windows detects the device.
• Remove unrelated removable drives so that the intended target is easier to identify.
• Replace the USB drive if it disconnects or reports write errors.

Creation fails during download or verification​

• Confirm that the PC has a stable internet connection.
• Free storage space on the system drive and download destination.
• Restart Windows and run a newly downloaded copy of the tool.
• Use the direct Microsoft ISO download as a workaround if the Media Creation Tool repeatedly fails.

Using the direct ISO is a workaround for creating or obtaining media; it does not repair the underlying network, storage, or policy problem that caused the tool to fail.

The PC does not boot from the USB​

• Open the one-time boot menu and select the USB’s UEFI entry.
• Fully shut down the PC before trying again.
• Test the USB on another compatible PC to confirm that Windows Setup starts.
• Recreate the drive if its files are incomplete.
• Consult the PC manufacturer if the USB is absent from the firmware boot menu.

Windows does not activate after reinstalling​

1. Connect the PC to the internet.
2. Open Settings > System > Activation.
3. Confirm that the installed edition matches the licensed edition.
4. Select Troubleshoot if activation does not occur automatically.
5. Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the digital license.

A motherboard replacement may be treated as a significant hardware change and can require the Activation troubleshooter, the original product key, or assistance from Microsoft or the device manufacturer.

Verify the finished installation​

After Windows reaches the desktop:

1. Open Settings > System > Activation and confirm that Windows is activated.
2. Open Settings > Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. Install available Windows and driver updates.
5. Restart when requested, then check again until no required updates remain.
6. Open Settings > System > About and verify the edition, version, and system type.
7. Open Device Manager and check that no devices display warning icons.
8. Restore personal files and reinstall applications only after Windows, activation, networking, audio, graphics, and input devices are working normally.

---

References​

1. Primary source: Technobezz
   Published: 2026-07-14T16:19:39.791000+00:00
   
   

   How to Use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool in 2026 | Technobezz

   Use the media creation tool Windows 11 download to create a bootable USB, save an ISO, or reinstall Windows 11.

   www.technobezz.com