Which is the most bug free Build to install ?


Chuck99

Well-known member
Member
Local time
1:09 PM
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68
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
I’m currently on Windows 10 22H2 & have a new SSD M.2 where I want to install a fresh copy of Windows 11.

I already used Microsoft's media creation tool & made a USB flash drive with whatever version of Windows 11 was available on June 27, 2025. Just have not yet installed it on the SSD. How do I find out which build is on the USB?

Should I download a newer copy that might have a newer build? I’ve read some updates have caused problems. I’m concerned the build I already have will want to install those updates. I’ve also read 25H2 has removed some features.

Is there a recommended “sweet spot” build that should be installed?

Thanks
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 10 22H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
    CPU
    Intel i5-14500
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
    1 TB WD HDD
How do I find out which build is on the USB?


Welcome to ElevenForum. :-)



I would just use the latest stable version that the Media Creation Tool gives you.





Here's some other things that you may find useful...



 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8457 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
Hi, welcome.

Relevant to your question.

You can download the available ISO’s here:


Option One (Media Creation Tool) will get you the following ISO:

This will be for a Windows 11 Version 24H2 build 26100.4349 ISO file with install.esd.​

Option Two (Download from Microsoft) will get you the following ISO:

This will be for a Windows 11 Version 24H2 build 26100.1742 ISO file with install.wim. (The original 24H2 ISO)​

This was my finding after playing around:

I’ve been testing installs this past week. I found downloading from Option Two, which is actually the first ISO available that Microsoft released for 24H2, (and the most stable IMO)
Then running Windows Update to be updated to Windows 11 Pro 24H2 Build 26100.6584, resulted in unnoticeable issues.

For anything else you’ll need to use UUDUMP.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Hi, welcome.

Relevant to your question.

You can download the available ISO’s here:


Option One (Media Creation Tool) will get you the following ISO:

This will be for a Windows 11 Version 24H2 build 26100.4349 ISO file with install.esd.​

Option Two (Download from Microsoft) will get you the following ISO:

This will be for a Windows 11 Version 24H2 build 26100.1742 ISO file with install.wim. (The original 24H2 ISO)​

This was my finding after playing around:

I’ve been testing installs this past week. I found downloading from Option Two, which is actually the first ISO available that Microsoft released for 24H2, (and the most stable IMO)
Then running Windows Update to be updated to Windows 11 Pro 24H2 Build 26100.6584, resulted in unnoticeable issues.

For anything else you’ll need to use UUDUMP.
OOBE now automatically updates the latest build (annoying as it really slows down a clean install.

The only way now to bypass that is to use one of the local account setup ways.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
I agree that is how it is supposed to happen now.
For some reason, I wasn’t upgraded during the install, I did nothing special and installed with a Microsoft account. Perhaps it was down to me using RUFUS?

I agree, I would expect that this member will be automatically updated to the latest build 26100.6584

But I would certainly start with the original ISO — 26100.1742
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Welcome to ElevenForum. :-)
Thanks for all the information.
The instructions worked great to find the build.
I also appreciate the other how-to links.
Thanks again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
    CPU
    Intel i5-14500
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
    1 TB WD HDD
OOBE now automatically updates the latest build (annoying as it really slows down a clean install.

The only way now to bypass that is to use one of the local account setup ways.

Looks like the Media Creation Tool gave me Build 26100.4349, and it used install.swm.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
    CPU
    Intel i5-14500
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
    1 TB WD HDD
Looks like the Media Creation Tool gave me Build 26100.4349, and it used install.swm.
That is interesting as MCT always used to create a (more) compressed install.esd file which was less than 4GB as an install.wim file (used on downloaded iso) was over 4GB (too large for a fat32 formatted usb drive).

I just tested using MCT to create an iso and it used install.esd but install.esd is c. 4.4 GB now.

1757924695249.webp

So I used MCT again, creating a usb installer direct (fat 32 formatted drive) and indeed, it uses install.swm files now.

1757924553053.webp

I always wondered how MCT would work if install.esd exceeded 4GB. Now we know:-).

That leaves an interesting issue now though i.e. if you create an iso using MCT, you cannot simply copy files to a fat 32 usb drive anymore. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY RETROGRADE SITUATION!

You would have to either manually create install.swm files or use the two partition method (one fat32, other ntfs/exFAT as per tutorial).

I do not understand why MCT does not simply create install.swm files on creating an iso as well!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
That's what I have, the split install files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
    CPU
    Intel i5-14500
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
    1 TB WD HDD
Is there some reason Media Creation Tool uses fat32 vs. exFAT or NTFS?

What would happen if the USB thumb drive was formatted in NTFS? Would MCT automatically re-format it to fat32?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
    CPU
    Intel i5-14500
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
    1 TB WD HDD
If you want to have completely independent OSs (Win 10 and Win 11), each one in its drive, you MUST detach the Win 10 drive during Win 11 install or you will end with Win 11 in one drive and the boot manager on the EFI partition of win 10 drive
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 256G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
Is there some reason Media Creation Tool uses fat32 vs. exFAT or NTFS?

What would happen if the USB thumb drive was formatted in NTFS? Would MCT automatically re-format it to fat32?
I use Ventoy on a large USB to hold my current ISO versions, it uses ex-fat.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 5800X
    Motherboard
    Asus B550 Strix gaming
    Memory
    32Gb Corsair 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX4070-Super
    Screen Resolution
    2x 1440, 1x 1080
Is there some reason Media Creation Tool uses fat32 vs. exFAT or NTFS?

What would happen if the USB thumb drive was formatted in NTFS? Would MCT automatically re-format it to fat32?

Because some old devs which refuse to retire - still design even UEFI firmware to boot only from Fat32 (which they call it "universal standard"). Some work for Microsoft other from X OEM. There's no other "valid" reason. We're in 2025 but still compelled to follow an old standard rule - from late 90s.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WinDOS 25H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel & AMD
    Memory
    SO-DIMM SK Hynix 15.8 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-2666 (2 x 8 GB) 1329MHz (19-19-19-43)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia RTX 2060 6GB Mobile GPU (TU106M)
    Sound Card
    Onbord Realtek ALC1220
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung PM981 NVMe PCIe M.2 512GB / 1x Seagate Expansion ST1000LM035 1TB
i like 11 21h2 with last update very stable faster low memory usage

aWd5w7.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Iot Enterprise 21h2 22000.3260
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    xeon E5-2697v2
    Motherboard
    rampage iv extreme
    Memory
    32gb 8x4gb ddr3 1333 mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    gtx 570 poit of view
    Sound Card
    realtek HD (ALC898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    samsung b2030
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    2tb hd 5400 rpm
    3tb hd 5400 rpm
    1tb nvme pcie 3.0
    PSU
    hx850w
    Keyboard
    mtek
    Internet Speed
    500/250 gpon
    Browser
    r3dfox 146.0
    Antivirus
    none

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