The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is available from the official Microsoft software download website.

To get it and use it to reinstall Windows 11:

  1. Go to the Windows 11 download page: Download Windows 11.
  2. Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now to download MediaCreationTool.exe.
  3. Run MediaCreationTool.exe and follow the prompts to create either:
    • A bootable USB flash drive, or
    • An ISO file you can use for a clean install or repair install.

If reinstalling on a device that already has a Windows 11 digital license, choose the same edition of Windows 11 that is currently licensed. During setup, if asked for a product key, select I don't have a product key; Windows 11 will activate automatically after installation when online and signed in with the Microsoft account linked to the digital license.


References:

  • Create installation media for Windows
  • Reinstall Windows with the installation media
  • Activate Windows
  • Windows 11, version 25H2 update history
Answer from AI answer on learn.microsoft.com
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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › software-download › windows11
Download Windows 11
1 month ago - Note: Windows 11 Installation Assistant doesn’t run on Arm-based PCs. It’s only supported for PCs using x64 processors. If you need installation media to install Windows 11 on a different PC, see Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
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Upgrading to Windows 11 ensures you continue to receive the latest security updates, features, and technical support, keeping your PC safe and efficient. For more information on preparing for Windows 10 end of support, see our · Windows blog post. The Update Assistant can help you update to the latest version of Windows 10. To get started, click Update now. Update now · To get started, you will first need to have a license to install ...
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › deployment › install-upgrade › create-installation-media-for-windows
Create installation media for Windows | Microsoft Support
On that website, you can select a version of Windows and create installation media on a USB flash. Alternatively, an ISO file can be created for use in virtual machines (VMs) or for burning the installation media onto a DVD: ... Go to the Download Windows 11 site.
Discussions

How to create Windows 11 Installation media from USB drive?
Hey there, tech enthusiasts! I hope you're all doing well. I really need some guidance for creating a Windows 11 installation media. I'm planning to... More on techcommunity.microsoft.com
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0
June 24, 2024
How can I download Windows 11 Pro media creation tool
How can I download Windows 11 Pro media creation tool to conduct a clean install of Windows 11 Pro? More on learn.microsoft.com
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4
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Windows 11 pro install from a flash drive?
@rtmink28 The first reply is WRONG. Follow this guide https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/windows-setup-edition-configuration-and-product-id-files--eicfg-and-pidtxt?view=windows-11 And more specifically this guide https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-11-select-edition-during-install/ Specifically the ei.cfg section More on reddit.com
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September 28, 2022
Windows 11 installation media tool

Hi u/MrPatatoBoi, thanks for posting to r/WindowsHelp! Don't worry, your post has not been removed. To let us help you better, try to include as much of the following information as possible! Posts with insufficient details might be removed at the moderator's discretion.

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Top answer
1 of 2
34

The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is available from the official Microsoft software download website.

To get it and use it to reinstall Windows 11:

  1. Go to the Windows 11 download page: Download Windows 11.
  2. Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now to download MediaCreationTool.exe.
  3. Run MediaCreationTool.exe and follow the prompts to create either:
    • A bootable USB flash drive, or
    • An ISO file you can use for a clean install or repair install.

If reinstalling on a device that already has a Windows 11 digital license, choose the same edition of Windows 11 that is currently licensed. During setup, if asked for a product key, select I don't have a product key; Windows 11 will activate automatically after installation when online and signed in with the Microsoft account linked to the digital license.


References:

  • Create installation media for Windows
  • Reinstall Windows with the installation media
  • Activate Windows
  • Windows 11, version 25H2 update history
2 of 2
13

Hi Kevin Duane, 

At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in the AI generated answer on your thread. That reply typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario. 

As an additional note, before creating the installation media, please prepare a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space, because the content on the USB drive will be deleted during the process. 

Before reinstalling Windows, I recommend backing up your personal files to an external drive or cloud storage to help avoid data loss. If you are reinstalling Windows 11 on the same device, please make sure to select the same Windows edition that is currently licensed on the device, such as Windows 11 Home. Windows activation should complete after the device is connected to the Internet if the correct edition is installed and the device already has a digital license.  

I hope you can successfully create the Windows 11 installation media and reinstall Windows. Thank you so much for your understanding. 


Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › deployment › install-upgrade › reinstall-windows-with-the-installation-media
Reinstall Windows with the installation media | Microsoft Support
Start the PC using the installation media ... Check with the PC manufacturer on how to start the PC using media. The Windows 11 Setup starts once the device boots from the Windows installation media. If you don't see the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How To Create Windows 11 Install Media FREE & EASY !! - YouTube
This video will show you how to create Windows 11 Install Media, directly from Microsoft for FREE! You will need a large enough USB. This process will eras...
Published: 3 weeks ago
Find elsewhere
Top answer
1 of 4
24

Hello,

This issue is not related to Windows for Business or Windows 365 Enterprise. It is specifically about obtaining the official installation media for Windows 11 Pro.

To perform a clean install, you need to download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool directly from Microsoft. The tool allows you to create bootable USB or ISO media that can be used to install Windows 11 Pro. The download is available on Microsoft’s official site under the “Download Windows 11” section. Once you run the tool, you can select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.” During installation, the edition will be determined by the product key you enter. If you provide a Windows 11 Pro key, the setup will install Pro rather than Home.

Here is the official Microsoft download page: microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Make sure you have a valid Windows 11 Pro license key ready, as the Media Creation Tool itself does not provide a key—it only prepares the installation media. If your device already has a digital entitlement for Pro, the installer will automatically recognize it during setup.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

Domic Vo.

2 of 4
13

To download the Windows 11 Pro media creation tool, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Windows 11 software download page.
  2. Under the section Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now.
  3. Install the media creation tool by accepting the license agreement and following the on-screen instructions to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 11 installation files.

Once you have the bootable USB drive, you can use it to conduct a clean install of Windows 11 Pro.

🌐
Corsair
help.corsair.com › hc › en-us › articles › 14206252671117-Windows-How-to-Install-Windows-10-11-Using-the-Media-Creation-Tool
Windows: How to Install Windows 10/11 Using the Media Creation Tool – Corsair
Launch the Media Creation Tool by double-clicking the downloaded file. Accept the license terms. Select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" and click "Next."
🌐
Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › windowsinsider › cleaninstall
Windows 11 Clean Installation
Download the Windows 11 media creation tool. Run the tool as administrator. ... Select your USB drive and select Next (this will format the drive and place the Windows installation media on it).​
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › deployment › install-upgrade › ways-to-install-windows-11
Ways to install Windows 11 | Microsoft Support
Insert the Windows 11 installation media into the Windows device. For example, if the Windows 11 installation media was created on a USB flash drive, attach the USB flash drive to the Windows device. Turn on the device that is being upgraded to Windows 11 and then initiate the device's boot menu.
🌐
PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › news › windows 11
Windows 11 ISO, Media Creation Tool for Manual Installation Is Here | PCMag
October 5, 2021 - The second option lets you install a fresh copy of Windows 11 through Microsoft’s media creation tool, which can place the installation file on a 8GB or higher USB drive. The drive can then be hooked up to a PC for installation during boot up.
🌐
HP
hp.com › us-en › tech-takes › software › how-to › how-to-install-windows-11-from-usb.html
How to Install Windows 11 from a USB Drive | HP® Official Site
July 23, 2026 - Select “USB flash drive” as the media to use. For optimal performance, use a high-speed USB 3.0 drive. Insert your USB drive and select it from the list. The tool will download Windows 11 and create a bootable USB drive.
🌐
Engadget
engadget.com › 2254793 › how-to-use-windows-11-media-creation-tool-create-bootable-usb-drive
How to use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive - Engadget
September 14, 2026 - The first is for installing Windows 11 on you current machine, while the last one downloads an ISO for advanced use. We'll cover that later; for now, click Download Now under Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Updated With Latest 26H2 Build! - YouTube
The app has been updated to October 2026 Patch Tuesday: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11Windows 11 KB5127648 Released: New Feature...
Published: 2 weeks ago
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Create a Windows 11 Usb Installation Media Drive (Best Method) - YouTube
The simplest and most reliable way to create a Windows 11 USB installation media is to use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, which downloads the latest offici...
Published: December 17, 2025
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HKUST
itso.hkust.edu.hk › services › workplace-services › device-management › guide-install-win11-pro-usb
Step-by-step guide to install Windows 11 Professional from USB | Information Technology Services Office
Note: All data in the USB would be destroyed to create the installation media · Using a device with local admin privilege: From a browser, visit the website https://www.microsoft.com/en-hk/software-download/windows11 · Click "Download Now" under "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)" to download ...
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How To Create Windows 11 Install Media USB Flash Drive Tutorial - YouTube
This video will show you how to create a Windows 11 install media USB flash drive. This process will erase all other DATA on the USB so make sure its empty o...
Published: 3 weeks ago
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Create a Windows 11 Bootable USB (Free & Official Method) - YouTube
Learn how to create a Windows 11 bootable USB for free using Microsoft's official Media Creation Tool. In this step-by-step guide, I turn a normal USB pendri...
Published: September 26, 2026