Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d
Create installation media for Windows - Microsoft Support
Under Create Windows 10 Installation Media, select Download Now. The MediaCreationTool.exe tool is downloaded. The .exe may have the version appended, such as MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe. Run MediaCreationTool.exe. The media creation tool walks through creating installation media.
Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-ca › software-download › windows11
Download Windows 11
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 or DVD.
How does Windows 10 Media Creation Tool work?
The media creation tool is not a recovery disk. It just creates a bootable USB (or stand alone ISO) to install windows. Those installers don't care what hardware you're installing it on as long as it meets the minimum requirements. If your hardware configuration (e.g. new custom build you assembled from parts) has never had Windows activated on it before, you'll need to provide a valid product code to activate it. For a prebuilt (OEM) computer (E.g. Dell, HP). The windows license is already activated based on the hardware ID (A unique identifier created based on what processor, motherboard and hard drive is installed in the computer). In this case, you could wipe the drive entirely and if you didn't change any hardware, after using install media created by the media creation tool, windows will auto activate based on the hardware ID. What you're probably getting misinformation about. OEMs will sometimes provide their own recovery media, or recovery partition, to allow restoration of the windows software and any other preloaded software or custom configuration that the system came with. So, it's not that the installation media created by the media creation tool won't work for OEM prebuilts, it's that the installation media won't install any additional software or customizations the OEM added. More on reddit.com
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December 22, 2024Media creation tool for Windows 10 available on Windows 11?
You can create the installer on one pc for use on another. Just make sure you pick the correct usb. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 More on reddit.com
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October 30, 2023[ Removed by moderator ]
At least mass grave and Rufus still are around More on reddit.com
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August 14, 2025Where to download Windows 8 Media Creation Tool?
Maybe here? https://download.cnet.com/Windows-8-1-Installation-Media-Creation-Tool/3000-18513_4-77572352.html Not sure why you'd want it though instead of just using a DVD burner, Rufus, or even Ventoy. More on reddit.com
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February 3, 2022Is Microsoft Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Free?
Both PC Health Check and Windows 11 Media Creation Tool are available to users without charge. Microsoft provides both apps directly from its website without any additional fees or upgrades. · The tool gives unrestricted access through the Windows Media Creation Tool since your PC possesses a valid Windows license, so you do not need to insert a product key.
gizmodo.com
gizmodo.com › download › utilities › windows 11 media creation tool
Download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (free) for Windows | Gizmodo
Why Should I Download Microsoft Windows 11 Media Creation Tool?
Your computer has certain situations in which basic updates aren't sufficient. Maybe your PC feels sluggish. Users who replaced their hardware components seek a clean installation of their system. People who prefer direct operating system installations tend to prefer the Media Creation Tool for setup control. · Windows 11 Media Creation Tool exists to handle specific situations in which users need operating system installation solutions. With a few clicks, users can create either a bootable Windows 11 USB flash drive or burn an ISO file to a disc because the Media Creation Tool eliminates the
gizmodo.com
gizmodo.com › download › utilities › windows 11 media creation tool
Download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (free) for Windows | Gizmodo
What Are the Alternatives to Microsoft Windows 11 Media Creation Tool?
The root option comes from Microsoft, yet some users seek alternative tools to produce bootable media or operate their installation activities. Note that if you want to install Windows 10 from an older Windows, you can useWindows 10 Media Creation Tool. · Ventoy is one such alternative. The tool enables users to create USB bootable drives that support drag-and-drop ISO file storage without performing drive reformatting between sessions. The functionality of the Users who need to store a variety of ISOs on their USB flash drive will find this tool useful. The tool functions on Windows as well a
gizmodo.com
gizmodo.com › download › utilities › windows 11 media creation tool
Download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (free) for Windows | Gizmodo
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Install Windows 11 using a USB drive (Media Creation Tool) - YouTube
Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › software-download › windows10
Download Windows 10
October 21, 2025 - If you are installing Windows 10 on a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, or if you need to create installation media to install Windows 10 on a different PC, see Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC section below.
Gizmodo
gizmodo.com › download › utilities › windows 11 media creation tool
Download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (free) for Windows | Gizmodo
1 month ago - Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is a utility that allows users to download and create installation media for Windows 11. It enables the creation of bootable USB drives or ISO files for upgrading or installing the operating system on compatible ...
Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › windows › learning-center › windows-media-creation-tool
How to Use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool | Microsoft Windows
Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool allows you to create your own installation media using a DVD or a flash drive. If you already own a copy of Windows 11, you can use this tool to reinstall it on a device or upgrade a different device.
Tom's Hardware
tomshardware.com › software › operating systems › windows
Microsoft breaks Media Creation Tool on the eve of Windows 10 end-of-life — company confirms Windows 11 upgrade tool 'might not work as expected', outlines alternatives | Tom's Hardware
October 13, 2025 - Here’s an example of the most unfortunate timing for Microsoft and its OS users. The latest version of the Windows Media Creation Tool (MCT), released just a fortnight ago, “might close unexpectedly, displaying no error message,” admits Microsoft in a status update (h/t Windows Latest).
WPS Office
wps.ai › blog › windows-media-creation-tool-how-to-download-and-use-it
Windows Media Creation Tool: How to Download and Use It | WPS Office Blog
May 5, 2025 - The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is a free utility from Microsoft that helps you install, reinstall, or upgrade to Windows 10. Whether you're setting up a fresh PC or replacing an old operating system, this tool is your go-to.
Devzery
devzery.com › post › windows-media-creation-tool
Guide to Windows Media Creation Tool: Easy Installation
August 13, 2024 - The Windows Media Creation Tool is a utility provided by Microsoft that simplifies the process of creating installation media for Windows.
MajorGeeks
majorgeeks.com › files › details › windows_10.html
Download Microsoft Windows Media Creation Tool - MajorGeeks
November 15, 2025 - The Media Creation Tool is a powerful and flexible tool for Windows OS management. Whether you're updating to the latest version of Windows 10 or 11 (we see you, early adopters), creating rescue installation media on a USB or DVD, or performing ...
CNET
cnet.com › tech › computing › laptops › how to create a windows 10 bootable usb: it's easier than you think
How to create a Windows 10 bootable USB: It's easier than you think - CNET
June 16, 2025 - Microsoft has a dedicated tool that you can use to download the Windows 10 system image (also referred to as ISO) and create your bootable USB drive. 1. Go to this page, scroll down to Create Windows Installation Media and click on Download tool now.
Download
windows-media-creation-tool.en.download.it › software utilities › windows media creation tool
Windows Media Creation Tool - Free Download
Windows Media Creation Tool is an official Microsoft app that allows you to create a Windows 10 installer disk that you can use to install the operating system on a PC.
Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › reinstall-windows-with-the-installation-media-d8369486-3e33-7d9c-dccc-859e2b022fc7
Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support
If your PC doesn't start and you don't have a recovery drive or a repair disc, you can use the Media Creation Tool to create installation media for Windows.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/computerhelp › how does windows 10 media creation tool work?
r/computerhelp on Reddit: How does Windows 10 Media Creation Tool work?
December 22, 2024 -
Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, Microsoft Media Creation Tool or windows Media Creation Tool some people call it where you can download the ISO from Microsoft web site to install windows 10 is this only for retail copies of windows 10 or is it also for OEM copies where you buy a laptop or desktop computer at computer store like Acer or HP with windows already installed?
Some one said to me the way Microsoft has set this up is that you cannot download Microsoft Media Creation Tool so you cannot download the ISO to install windows 10.
Is this true that OEM product keys don’t work? That Microsoft Media Creation Tool is not supported for OEM computers?
That when you buy computer that it is well up to you to make your own recovery disk on DVD or USB? And if you don’t the problem is on you?
That all computers you buy in the computer store or refurbished computers use OEM copy of windows 10 and that Microsoft Media Creation Tool does not support this?
That computers you buy or refurbished computers that you buy you have to make your own recovery that you do not download Windows 10 Media Creation Tool?
And if you don’t make a recovery there is nothing that you can do? So Windows 10 Media Creation Tool does not support this?
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The media creation tool is not a recovery disk. It just creates a bootable USB (or stand alone ISO) to install windows. Those installers don't care what hardware you're installing it on as long as it meets the minimum requirements. If your hardware configuration (e.g. new custom build you assembled from parts) has never had Windows activated on it before, you'll need to provide a valid product code to activate it. For a prebuilt (OEM) computer (E.g. Dell, HP). The windows license is already activated based on the hardware ID (A unique identifier created based on what processor, motherboard and hard drive is installed in the computer). In this case, you could wipe the drive entirely and if you didn't change any hardware, after using install media created by the media creation tool, windows will auto activate based on the hardware ID. What you're probably getting misinformation about. OEMs will sometimes provide their own recovery media, or recovery partition, to allow restoration of the windows software and any other preloaded software or custom configuration that the system came with. So, it's not that the installation media created by the media creation tool won't work for OEM prebuilts, it's that the installation media won't install any additional software or customizations the OEM added.
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it's just a tool. it doesn't care about oem
Softonic
windows-media-creation-tool.en.softonic.com › home › utilities & tools › windows media creation tool
Windows Media Creation Tool (Windows) - Download
October 20, 2025 - Windows Media Creation Tool allows users to either upgrade their current system to the latest version of Windows or create bootable USB drives and ISO files for clean installations.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/windows10 › media creation tool for windows 10 available on windows 11?
r/Windows10 on Reddit: Media creation tool for Windows 10 available on Windows 11?
October 30, 2023 -
Hi,
I came home from work to find my Windows 10 laptop not working. It has been sitting on preparing automatic repair for hours at this point. I have seen online to download the media creation tool and create a bootable USB to fix the problem, though I do not have access to another Windows 10 system, would this be possible to do on Windows 11?
Also will I lose data using this fix? I would obviously rather avoid losing data but if there is not a alternative that would keep everything I believe this sounds like my best option.
Thanks in advance!
Top answer 1 of 3
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You can create the installer on one pc for use on another. Just make sure you pick the correct usb. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
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Just download this to a USB flash drive: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 You don't need Windows 10 to create bootable Windows installation media using this. It's like making your installation DVD. You boot to it and install Windows. Install, but do not format the drive. I think you won't lose anything except you will have to reinstall your apps since they won't yet be installed in this new installation of Windows.
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
For Windows 11: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11 · Click the "Download tool now" button to download the tool for the desired version of Windows. Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage into your computer. Launch the Media Creation Tool by double-clicking the downloaded file.
Dell
dell.com › home › support home › knowledge base article
Create a retail image of Windows with the Microsoft Media Creation Tool | Dell Canada
June 9, 2025 - Create Windows installation media for Windows 11 and 10 with Media Creation Tool. Choose your media type (USB or DVD) and follow easy steps for OS upgrades or reinstalls.
EaseUS
easeus.com › partition manager › windows 10/11 media creation tool: 2025 complete guide🔥
Windows 10/11 Media Creation Tool: 2025 Complete Guide🔥
1 week ago - Windows 11/10 Media Creation Tool is for users to install a new copy of Windows 10, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows 11/10. In this article, you will learn how to download Windows 11/10 Media Creation Tool to install Windows ...
Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-ca › software-download
Software Download
This is the Trace Id: 4c216c52a2bf58275edfec88904a8eff · Skip to main content · Microsoft · Software Download · Cancel · Sign in · Windows · Windows 11
Reddit
reddit.com › r/pcgaming › [ removed by moderator ]
Microsoft Breaks Windows Media Creation Tool Ahead of ...
August 14, 2025 - If you use the media creation tool to make the USB, copy all the files off the USB, reformat it as NTFS, and then copy the files back, it works. ... Can confirm "reformat it as NTFS, and then copy the files back" works. Thank you ... So...that won't boot tin UEFI mode...the spec requires FAT32. Secondly there is no way you would have gotten that file on to the USB in the first place with fat32 for it to generate a read error. It's not Microsoft's fault you tried to create a retail install using the iso....the proper way to create the usb media is to split the wim....like what rufus does...