Windows 10 ISO files

To download Windows 10 ISO files, you need to change the user agent in your browser or use the Media Creation Tool to create your own ISO. In this article, we’ll explain how to download it for free so you can get started.

Microsoft regularly refreshes its Windows 10 22H2 ISO media installation files with monthly security patches. The media installation was recently refreshed with the latest May 2023 update applied and is available in all editions, languages and two formats (64-bit and 32-bit).

Windows 10 version 22H2 update was released in November 2021 and is constantly updated with security and non-security fixes. Microsoft refreshed the Media Creation Tool a few days ago with May 2023 cumulative updates and older. This means you’ll have access to all new improvements, such as the new Windows Search experience.

To download the ISO file for Windows 10 November 2022 Update (version 22H2) from Microsoft’s website, you’ve two options – change your browser user agent to directly access the files or try the Media Creation Tool.

Direct download Windows 10 ISO files from Microsoft

For those who need the ISO image immediately, follow the guide to get direct download links (valid for all editions) to download Windows 10 November 2022 Update:

  • Windows 10 22H2 English (all editions) 64-bit – 5.8GB.
  • Windows 10 22H2 English (all editions) 32-bit – 3.9GB.

The links generated from Microsoft servers will expire automatically after 24 hours of creation, and it is recommended to complete the download within a day by following the steps highlighted below.

To get a Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft, use these steps:

  1. Open the default web browser. In this guide, we’re using Chromium (Chrome).
  2. In Chromium (Chrome, Edge, etc.), click on the three dots menu (…).
  3. Click on More Tools.
  4. Click on Developer Tools.
    Chrome developer tools
  5. This will open the developer window on the right side.
  6. Head to Microsoft’s download center with the developer window open.
  7. In the Developer window, click the three dots menu (…).
  8. In the Network Conditions pane, look for the user agent.
    Chrome network conditions
  9. Disable the automatic selection for user agent.
    User agent selection
  10. Select a mobile browser by clicking on “Custom…”.
  11. For example, you can select “Chrome iPad” or “Chrome Android“.
  12. You must select a mobile device as your user agent because Microsoft offers the media files only when the website is accessed on a non-Windows 10 device.
    Change user agent
  13. Press CTRL + F5 to open the download center in your new user agent. Don’t close the developer window.
  14. If you follow the steps correctly, you’ll see the “Download Windows 10 Disk Image (ISO File)” page.
    Windows 10 November 2021 Update ISO
  15. Under ‘Select edition‘, select ‘Windows 10 November 2021 Update‘ .
  16. Select the language for your ISO.
  17. Select either 32-bit or 64-bit. This makes a big difference, so you must be careful before downloading the files. You can verify the config from Settings > System > About.

You need to follow these steps because Microsoft’s download center is designed to force Media Creation Tool when the website is accessed on a Windows 10-powered PC.

When you follow the above steps, you’re making your web browser pretend you’re using another operating system. As a result, when you refresh the page in the browser after changing the user agent, Microsoft’s site will offer you the Windows 10 ISO instead of the Media Creation Tool.

If you follow the steps correctly, downloading the media images will start, and you can safely close the developer window.

Use the Media Creation Tool to create an ISO

The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is also a great way to reinstall the operating system and download the necessary files from Microsoft.

To download ISO using the Media Creation Tool, follow these steps:

  1. On Windows 10, download the Media Creation tool from Microsoft’s website (under the Windows 10 installation media section). It’s not a large download, and it won’t take long to be finished.
  2. Once downloaded, open the Media Creation Tool to upgrade the current installation or create a bootable flash drive.
    Media Creation Tool
  3. Click Yes and give it a few minutes to prepare the PC.
  4. Read the license agreement and click on the Accept button.
  5. You’ll see the ‘Getting a few things ready‘ screen on your PC when you’re done.
  6. On the next screen, you can upgrade the PC directly or create installation media (ISO file) for another PC.
  7. Select the Create Installation Media and click on the Next button.
    Create installation media
  8. Select language, architecture, and Windows edition for your ISO image.
    Windows 10 Setup
  9. Under “Choose which media to use“, select the ISO file option and press Next. If you want to create a bootable USB drive, select the first option instead.
    Windows 10 ISO download
  10. Select a location to save your ISO file and click the Save button.
  11. Once the download is complete, you can close the Media Creation Tool by clicking the Finish button.

Installing or updating using the ISO file

Windows 10 22H2 ISO files can be used in a variety of ways. If the Media Creation Tool and other programs are not working, manually install the operating system’s latest update without losing files/apps.

Before starting the media file, you need to know how it works.

An ISO image contains the installation files of Windows 10 with the latest cumulative and feature updates.

On Windows 10, there are a lot of tools to open these media files. However, you can always use File Explorer, which has built-in functionality to mount ISO natively without needing extra third-party software.

To update your device to Windows 10 version 22H2 using ISO files, follow these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Browse to the Downloads folder where the ISO image is located.
  3. Double-click “Win10_22H2_v2_English_x64.iso” file to mount it.
  4. In the folder, double-click Setup.exe.
  5. Accept terms and conditions.
  6. Click on Upgrade this PC.
  7. The tool will begin checking for quality updates, such as driver or cumulative updates, and will be downloaded automatically.
  8. Select the Keep personal files, programs and apps option. You’ll be given options to keep everything, but you can keep nothing and do a fresh install.
  9. When you’re sure about the selections, click ‘Install’ or ‘Next’, and the Windows 10 installation process will begin.
  10. Reboot.

Windows 10’s Setup.exe and Media Creation Tool are the two easiest ways to complete the installation of any feature update. Windows Update and Update Assistant Tools can sometimes lag in rolling out newer versions, but there’s no stopping when you download the update manually.

ISO file is also perfect for clean installing the OS or building a USB flash drive to install Windows 10 on another machine.

How to create a bootable USB drive for installation on PC

Media Creation Tool makes it possible to create installation media or a bootable USB drive to install Windows 10 on another PC. For example, you can update your Windows installation or use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade other home or office PCs.

To create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft’s download center.
  2. On the download page, look for “Create Windows 10 installation media“, and and select the Download tool now button.
  3. This will download and save a file called MediaCreationTool22H2.exe to the preferred location.
  4. Double tap MediaCreationTool22H2.exe and accept the terms and conditions, including licensing agreements.
  5. In the tool, select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
  6. Select Next.
  7. Select Use the recommended options for this PC, but you can select the other option if you want to change the installation options.
  8. Select the USB flash drive option and click Next.
  9. Identify and choose your USB drive and select Next.

Finally, Microsoft will download and save bits of Windows 10 media to your USB drive. “Your USB flash drive is ready” message will appear on the screen, and you can select Finish to close the installer.

You can plug in the bootable USB flash drive and head to UEFI or BIOS by holding down F12 during system boot, and finally start the ‘Windows Setup‘.

Burn the ISO to a DVD

  1. Right-click the Win10_22H2_v2_English_x64.iso.
  2. Select Burn disc image to launch Windows Disc Image Burner.
  3. Select the drive when asked.
  4. Select Burn to start the process, and you’ll have a bootable DVD ready.
  5. A bootable DVC can be used to boot your PC, and the process is the same as booting from a USB flash drive.

What is the size of the version 22H2 Update?

In our tests, we observed that the size of the Windows 10 22H2 ISO is 5.8GB, which means it should not be downloaded on metered/limited data connection. If you’re on a limited bandwidth, ensure you’ve at least six gigabytes of data.

It’s also worth noting that the links will expire after 24 hours, and the download won’t resume.

As always, you can skip the hassle of the media files and download/install Windows 10 22H2 using Windows Update Settings or Update Assistant.

About The Author

Mayank Parmar

Mayank Parmar is an entrepreneur who founded Windows Latest. He is the Editor-in-Chief and has written on various topics in his seven years of career, but he is mostly known for his well-researched work on Microsoft's Windows. His articles and research works have been referred to by CNN, Business Insiders, Forbes, Fortune, CBS Interactive, Microsoft and many others over the years.

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