Installation and Upgrade Download Official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft

Marie SWE · Nov 16, 2023

Ghot said:
I don't know the EU types of Windows, but I believe UUP dump has them as well...

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okay.. I'm on my laptop now, so i can't do anything.. i need to move my butt in to my computer room to look in to it.. as this only is a lab i dont need the EU GDPR one so to speak as there will not be any internet connection anyway.. and the telemetry will say bye-bye as edge etc. *lol*

fg2001gf11F · Nov 23, 2023

hsehestedt said:
Oh the irony. Before today, the option to download an ISO would get you a newer version (22631.2428). Now, the option to download installation media gets you a newer build (22631.2715) while the ISO option is still on 22631.2428. It's amazing how they cannot get these in sync.

Unfortunately, the option to download installation media gives you the version with an install.esd rather than an install.wim so I have to convert it.

I converted the install.esd to install.wim and then split to install.swm + install2.swm so that I can copy it to the FAT32 USB media without doing another download.

hsehestedt · Nov 23, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
I converted the install.esd to install.wim and then split to install.swm + install2.swm so that I can copy it to the FAT32 USB media without doing another download.

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In my case I don't care about the size so there is no need to split it. My only reason for needing an install.wim and not a .ESD is because I will be performing modifications to the file with DISM that require it to be a .WIM file.

fg2001gf11F · Nov 23, 2023

hsehestedt said:
In my case I don't care about the size so there is no need to split it. My only reason for needing an install.wim and not a .ESD is because I will be performing modifications to the file with DISM that require it to be a .WIM file.

Regardless of the reason for using install.wim, it is silly that the MCT prepares an install.esd file which is too big even for a standard DVD, it requires a dual layer DVD or a blue ray to fit that size, I'd rather get an ISO with install.wim so I don't have to convert it back.

johnlgalt · Nov 23, 2023

If all files total for the .ISO is > 4,928,307 KB, then it is too large for a standard DVD.

OAT · Nov 23, 2023

johnlgalt said:
If all files total for the .ISO is > 4,928,307 KB, then it is too large for a standard DVD.

All I have is a floppy... :winkt:

hsehestedt · Nov 23, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
Regardless of the reason for using install.wim, it is silly that the MCT prepares an install.esd file which is too big even for a standard DVD, it requires a dual layer DVD or a blue ray to fit that size, I'd rather get an ISO with install.wim so I don't have to convert it back.

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I just roll my own. I slipstream in the latest patch Tuesday updates myself so I have an ISO of 2715 with an install.wim.

SIW2 · Nov 23, 2023

hsehestedt said:
I just roll my own. I slipstream in the latest patch Tuesday updates myself so I have an ISO of 2715 with an install.wim.

Do you patch the bootable wims as well ?

SIW2 · Nov 23, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
Regardless of the reason for using install.wim, it is silly that the MCT prepares an install.esd file which is too big even for a standard DVD, it requires a dual layer DVD or a blue ray to fit that size, I'd rather get an ISO with install.wim so I don't have to convert it back.

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Pop the iso onto a ventoyed usb stick, much quicker and easier

fg2001gf11F · Nov 23, 2023

SIW2 said:
Pop the iso onto a ventoyed usb stick, much quicker and easier

There are many different ways and utilities to create a bootable USB with a big install.wim or install.esd.
There should be no need for any third-party utility if MS did a proper job.

Bree · Nov 23, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
There are many different ways and utilities to create a bootable USB with a big install.wim or install.esd.
There should be no need for any third-party utility if MS did a proper job.

Well, they do a proper job if you ask the MCT to make a USB rather than an ISO. It splits it into an install.swm and an install2.swm.

hsehestedt · Nov 23, 2023

SIW2 said:
Do you patch the bootable wims as well ?

Yes, I patch all parts of the Windows image: The install.wim, the boot.wim, WinRE, and all components not included in any WIM.

Berton · Nov 23, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
There are many different ways and utilities to create a bootable USB with a big install.wim or install.esd.
There should be no need for any third-party utility if MS did a proper job.

I've never had an issue with the downloaded .iso file or the creation of a bootable USB Thumb drive [8GB or larger] using the MCT process. I keep the Win10 and Win11 version on hand.

fg2001gf11F · Nov 24, 2023

Bree said:
Well, they do a proper job if you ask the MCT to make a USB rather than an ISO. It splits it into an install.swm and an install2.swm.

I know that, but why download twice the same stuff?
They can make an ISO with install.wim and just split the inatall.wim when they create the USB.
There is absolutely no need to download one time for the ISO and again just to make the USB media.

Stigg · Nov 24, 2023

hsehestedt said:
I just roll my own.

Smoking is no good for you, mate.

Berton · Nov 24, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
I know that, but why download twice the same stuff?
They can make an ISO with install.wim and just split the inatall.wim when they create the USB.
There is absolutely no need to download one time for the ISO and again just to make the USB media.

The .iso file used by many software providers is an exact copy of the original creation and takes the place of mailing of a disc, lets users burn their own disc whenever it is desired or needed. It is a cheaper way of providing millions of users with more-current information. The process takes the place of the old Service Packs from 25-30 years ago that usually had to be asked for and wait to receive.

The creation of the USB drive of 8GB or larger also assures those users of getting correct use of the install.

Linux Distros do much the same but let the user do more work, download the .iso desired, burn the disc, boot the disc [which has full programs that can be used while running the disc], run the USB Image Writer to create the bootable USB drive, 4GB or larger.

fg2001gf11F · Nov 24, 2023

Berton said:
The .iso file used by many software providers is an exact copy of the original creation and takes the place of mailing of a disc, lets users burn their own disc whenever it is desired or needed. It is a cheaper way of providing millions of users with more-current information. The process takes the place of the old Service Packs from 25-30 years ago that usually had to be asked for and wait to receive.

The creation of the USB drive of 8GB or larger also assures those users of getting correct use of the install.

Linux Distros do much the same but let the user do more work, download the .iso desired, burn the disc, boot the disc [which has full programs that can be used while running the disc], run the USB Image Writer to create the bootable USB drive, 4GB or larger.

I think you are missing the point.
The MCT can create the media after downloading the ISO with install.wim, there is no need for a separated download.
That is where they screwed up with the latest MCT.
Why downloading 6 GB twice? Once to get the ISO and a second time to create the USB media.
That doesn't make any sense. Typical MS.

Berton · Nov 24, 2023

Not missing anything, opening the MCT file does 1 thing, it opens the page where one can either download the .iso file or create/write the USB drive. The burning of the .iso file can be handled within File Explorer or other burning program.

Try3 · Nov 24, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
Typical MS

MS is not telling you to download anything twice.

Denis

fg2001gf11F · Nov 24, 2023

Berton said:
Not missing anything, opening the MCT file does 1 thing, it opens the page where one can either download the .iso file or create/write the USB drive. The burning of the .iso file can be handled within File Explorer or other burning program.

Whatever!
They just screwed up.
Easy to see how. MCT should be able to create the USB media from the downloaded ISO. No need for separate options that require two downloads.