Microsoft has finally released an ISO file for the Windows eleven Insiders Preview. Previously, your merely option for installing Windows 11 was to first install Windows 10 and then upgrade it to version 11 through Microsoft'due south Windows Insider program. But at present y'all can save time and effort past installing the new OS directly through the ISO file.

See: Windows 11 cheat sail: Everything you need to know (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Working with an ISO file gives yous the flexibility to install a plan such as Windows 11 direct from the file itself or by copying it to a USB drive or burning it onto a DVD. From there, yous can install the OS to a dedicated PC, a dual-boot system or a virtual machine. Let's wait at how to grab and install the new Windows 11 ISO file.

First, you lot'll demand to join the Windows Insider programme if you're not already registered. Browse to the Windows Insider page and sign in with either your own personal Microsoft account or a business account that you use for your organization. At the registration folio, check the box to accept the terms of this agreement and click Register now (Figure A).

Figure A

To download the Windows 11 ISO file, head to the Windows Insider Preview Downloads folio and sign in with your account. Most the bottom of the page, click the dropdown menu for Select edition. Here, yous tin choose either the Windows 11 Insider Preview (Dev Channel) or the Windows 11 Insider Preview (Beta Channel).

The Dev channel contains the latest features and updates for Windows 11 but is typically more unstable. The Beta aqueduct contains more polished features and updates and is more than stable. Either way, select the channel you want and so click Confirm (Figure B).

Figure B

Next, choose your product language and click Confirm. Click the Download button to download the ISO file to your computer (Figure C).

Figure C

At present that you have the Windows 11 ISO file, there are a few ways to work with it depending on how and where you plan to install information technology. If you want to install Windows 11 in a virtual auto, then yous can apply the file directly. Whatever virtual machine application you utilize, it should at some bespeak ask for the source of the software you wish to install. At this step, just browse to and select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded.

If instead you want to install Windows 11 on a dedicated PC or as part of a dual-kicking setup, you'll desire to copy the ISO to a USB drive or burn it to a DVD. To set up this upwardly, I recommend a free Microsoft utility called Windows USB/DVD Download Tool, which is an oldie just a goodie. The advantage with this app is that it not only copies or burns the ISO file but makes the USB or DVD bootable. Microsoft no longer offers this tool direct, just you can nonetheless snag it at third-political party sites such as MajorGeeks and FileHippo.

The current Windows 11 ISO is a scrap over 5GB in size, so you'll need the right media to hold it. A USB drive is the easier pick as y'all tin easily find a flash drive with at to the lowest degree that capacity. A standard DVD has just 4.8GB of space, so that won't work for this ISO file. Instead, yous'd have to utilize a dual-layer or double-layer DVD, which can handle up to viii.5GB of information, or a Blu-ray bulldoze if your PC is equipped with ane.

After installing the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool, open the programme. At the first screen, browse to and select the Windows 11 ISO file. At the next screen, choose either USB or DVD. If you lot opt for USB, make sure the correct USB drive is listed and then click the button for Brainstorm copying (Figure D).

Effigy D

If you lot opt for DVD, make sure you lot've inserted a dual-layer or double-layer DVD or a Blu-ray disc and click the push for Brainstorm Burning (Effigy E).

Figure E

After your USB drive or DVD has been created, you can use it to kick up a dedicated PC on which you tin install Windows 11 directly or every bit office of a dual-kicking scenario.