Solved Reinstalling Windows 11 Using MCT But Without USB.

Mitch · 2026-07-18T05:23:47-0400

Hi, Apologies for the basic question. I want to do a Repair Install of Windows 11 to keep files and apps, using the MCT but without using a USB drive. I've looked at Shawn's' tutorials and can download the MCT. There is an option to select USB or ISO. If I select ISO, what are the steps to download Windows and start the installation process? Shawn has a tutorial which shows how to start the W11 installation from a USB but I'm not sure where to go after selecting ISO in the MCT and how to start the installation. I'd be grateful if someone could fill in the missing steps for me. I tried a repair install from inside Settings which didn't work so I want to try downloading the ISO using the MCT and "Use Recommended Options For this PC". Thanks again for your help. Mitch.

joeandmarg0 · 2026-07-18T05:55:47-0400

What is the problem requiring a Repair Install?

Mitch · 2026-07-18T06:06:07-0400

Hi @joeandmarg0 The problem is the laptop freezing after trying to install the July CU. It was working beforehand but on the 3rd restart the spinning dots froze forcing a hard shutdown. I reinstalled twice and also a Repair Install from inside Settings with the same result. I wanted to try a direct download from Microsoft to see if that fixed things. Its a Dell laptop with an AMD Processor so I don't think it's affected by the Dell pause as the update was offered - but you never know. Thanks.

Celery · 2026-07-18T06:10:06-0400

Mitch said:
I'm not sure where to go after selecting ISO in the MCT and how to start the installation.

1.

Option One
Download Latest Windows 11 64-bit ISO using Media Creation Tool (MCT)

Download Official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft

This tutorial will show you how to download an official Windows Server or Windows 11 64-bit or ARM64 ISO file from Microsoft. Microsoft provides ISO files for Windows Server and Windows 11 to download. You can use these ISO files to clean install or in-place upgrade Windows 11. The Flight Hub...

www.elevenforum.com

2.

Mount (open) the Windows 11 ISO file. It will appear as a virtual drive, allowing you to access its files as if it were a physical disc.

Option One
Mount ISO or IMG file by Opening

Mount or Unmount ISO and IMG File in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to natively mount or unmount ISO and IMG image files in Windows 11. An ISO or IMG file is a DVD disk image file. When you mount an .ISO or .IMG file, it will be added as a DVD drive in File Explorer > This PC. ISO and IMG files cannot be mounted on removable...

www.elevenforum.com

Edit: Turn off Smart App Control if you see the "Smart App Control blocked an app that may be unsafe" notification.

Turn On or Off Smart App Control in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to manually turn on or off Smart App Control in Windows 11. Smart App Control (SAC) is a new security feature starting with Windows 11 build 22567. Smart App Control can work alongside your other security software, such as Microsoft Defender, for added...

www.elevenforum.com

3.

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade

This tutorial will show you how to do a repair install of Windows 11 by performing an in-place upgrade without losing anything. If you need to repair or create a new recovery partition or having problems with the Windows 11 operating system on your PC, and the usual solutions will not fix it...

www.elevenforum.com

Mitch · 2026-07-18T06:52:13-0400

Hi @Celery Thanks very much for pointing me in the right direction. It's much appreciated. Mitch.

Bree · 2026-07-18T07:08:02-0400

Mitch said:
I tried a repair install from inside Settings which didn't work so I want to try downloading the ISO using the MCT and "Use Recommended Options For this PC".

Is your PC a supported device for Windows 11? If it is, ignore the rest of this post.

If it is not, then both the repair install in Settings, and an in-place repair with an ISO will fail when they check the PC for compatibility. The workaround to bypass these checks is Option Three in this tutorial. Use it before starting the repair install.

Bypass Windows 11 System Requirements on Unsupported PC

This tutorial will show you how to bypass the Windows 11 CPU, RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 system requirements allowing you to clean install or upgrade to Windows 11 on a unsupported PC that doesn't meet these requirements. Installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet Windows 11...

www.elevenforum.com

Mitch · 2026-07-18T07:38:24-0400

Hi @Bree Yes its fully supported. Its a Dell Inspiron 16 5625 with an AMD Processor. All updates installed without any problem prior to the July CU. I thought it might be related to the pause on certain Dell machines but no list has been published. The update was offered so I assumed it was OK to install. Big assumption I know. Thanks.

Bree · 2026-07-18T07:50:06-0400

Mitch said:
I thought it might be related to the pause on certain Dell machines but no list has been published.

Possible, though all my various Dell Latitudes have updated to the latest CU successfully. More details that may help identify if yours is affected can be found here:

Windows 11, version 25H2 known issues and notifications

View announcements and review known issues and fixes for Windows 11, version 25H2

learn.microsoft.com

Mitch · 2026-07-18T08:04:25-0400

I wouldn't have thought it would have been affected as it doesn't have the Intel driver that seems to be causing the problem, unless the issue is wider than thought. No resolution has been published yet so I suppose it's a possibility. Our other 2 Dell Inspirons were updated OK.

Mitch · 2026-07-18T09:24:39-0400

Just a final question if I may. The version language for this pc is English UK. Our other 2 Dells are English GB. Do both options appear in the drop down menu when downloading the W11 ISO when you have to choose language or can you still keep files and apps with both or do they both come under English International? Thanks.

Bree · 2026-07-18T10:08:49-0400

Mitch said:
The version language for this pc is English UK. Our other 2 Dells are English GB. Do both options appear in the drop down menu when downloading the W11 ISO when you have to choose language or can you still keep files and apps with both or do they both come under English International?

English UK and English GB are the same thing. The MS name for this is en-gb. You can check your PCs by opening a command prompt and typing the command systeminfo | find "Locale". Your ISO needs to match the 'System Locale' in order to keep files and apps.

Yes, en-gb is 'English International'. The just 'English' one is for en-us.

Mitch · 2026-07-18T10:37:49-0400

Thanks very much @Bree for clarifying that. I appreciate your help. Mitch.

Solved Reinstalling Windows 11 Using MCT But Without USB.

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