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To install Windows 11 26H2 from an ISO, download the official ISO from Microsoft, then either mount it and run setup.exe inside a working Windows installation or use it to create bootable media and start the PC from that media. Running Setup inside Windows offers options for keeping files and apps; booting installation media for a clean install removes files, apps, and settings. Back up first, and check Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and release-status page for current availability and known issues before you begin.
Before you install: check the release, PC, and backup
Microsoft’s download page identified Windows 11 2026 Update, version 26H2, as the current release when reviewed in 2026. Release availability and known issues can change, so verify the current status before downloading.
- Back up your files. Microsoft advises saving work and backing up the PC before installing Windows.
- Check hardware eligibility. Confirm that the PC meets Windows 11 system requirements and review the manufacturer’s compatibility and driver guidance. Microsoft warns that installing on a device that does not meet minimum requirements can cause compatibility problems and may leave it unsupported or without updates.
- Check architecture and language. Windows 11 requires a 64-bit CPU. Microsoft’s media creation tool is x64-only, and the installation language should match the language of the current Windows installation.
- Check edition and activation. Confirm which Windows edition is installed and check activation before setup. A product key may not need to be typed: a digital license can activate Windows, and a matching key embedded in the device firmware may be applied automatically.
Choose how to use the ISO
Downloading an ISO does not install Windows by itself. Decide first whether you want to upgrade or reinstall from a working Windows desktop, perform a clean installation by booting installation media, or use the ISO for a virtual machine or DVD.
| Path | When it fits | Data effect |
|---|---|---|
| Run Setup from media inside Windows | Windows starts normally and you want to upgrade or reinstall with a choice of what to keep. | Setup offers options to keep personal files and apps, keep personal files only, or keep nothing. Back up first. |
| Boot from USB or DVD media | The PC will not start normally, or you want a clean installation. | A clean installation removes personal files, apps, settings, and manufacturer customizations. Back up and identify the target disk carefully. |
| Use the ISO in a virtual machine or make a DVD | You are setting up a virtual machine or specifically need optical media. | The effect depends on how you install Windows in the virtual machine or on the PC. A clean installation erases data on its target. |
Download the official Windows 11 26H2 ISO
- Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and confirm that version 26H2 is the release currently offered.
- Choose the ISO download option and follow Microsoft’s prompts to select the edition and language.
- Save the ISO somewhere with enough free space. Do not use third-party ISO download sites.
For a USB installer, Microsoft also provides a media-creation route. Use a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB; creating installation media deletes the drive’s existing contents. If you specifically need a DVD, Microsoft specifies a blank DVD of at least 8 GB for a bootable disc; a dual-layer DVD may be needed if the image is too large. Microsoft also documents ISO use with virtual machines.
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Install from the ISO while Windows is running
This is the route to use when Windows starts and you want Setup’s keep-options. It does not require booting the PC from the ISO.
- In File Explorer, locate the downloaded ISO and open it to mount it as a virtual drive.
- Open the mounted drive and run
setup.exe. - Follow the Windows Setup prompts. Review the summary and the option describing what to keep before proceeding.
- Select the option that matches your needs: Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, or Keep nothing. Available choices can depend on the current Windows installation and setup conditions.
- Continue through Setup and let the PC restart as needed. Keep the device connected to power.
Even when selecting an option to keep data, back up important files first. If you choose “Keep nothing,” Setup removes personal files and apps.
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Boot from USB or DVD for a clean installation
Booting from installation media is the appropriate route when Windows will not start or when you intend to install Windows fresh. The clean-install path removes personal files, installed apps, settings, and manufacturer customizations.
- Create USB installation media or a bootable DVD using Microsoft’s instructions. Creating USB media erases the USB drive.
- Insert the media into the target PC, then restart it.
- Open the PC maker’s boot menu or change boot order using the manufacturer’s instructions. The key or steps vary by device; there is no single key that applies to every PC.
- Start the PC from the installation media and follow Windows Setup.
- When Setup asks where to install Windows, verify the target disk and partitions before making changes. If you are unsure which disk is correct, stop and consult the PC manufacturer or qualified support rather than deleting or formatting partitions.
- Complete Setup by following the on-screen prompts.
What happens to files and apps?
The key distinction is whether you run setup.exe from within a working Windows session or boot from the installation media for a clean install. The first route presents keep-options; the second removes the existing contents of the selected Windows installation. Microsoft describes the three in-Windows choices as follows:
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- Keep personal files and apps: retains personal files and installed apps where the option is available.
- Keep personal files only: retains personal files but removes installed apps.
- Keep nothing: removes personal files and apps.
Do not treat booting from media as a way to preserve your existing installation. Before any clean install, make a backup and be certain which disk you are changing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.After installation
Once Windows is installed, check Windows Update for available updates and consult the device manufacturer for any additional drivers required by your PC. If activation is not complete, check the device’s edition and activation status and use Microsoft’s guidance for your digital license or product key.
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- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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Official instructions
- Download Windows 11
- Create installation media for Windows
- Reinstall Windows with the installation media
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