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Microsoft begins preparing Windows 11 25H2 installation media ahead of public roll out

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 22:49 GMT by Windows Latest
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Microsoft Makes Windows 11 25H2 Installation Media Available Ahead of Public Roll‑Out

In a move that gives IT administrators, developers and early adopters a head start on the next major Windows 11 update, Microsoft has released the installation media for the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 feature update. The “Windows 11 25H2” build—scheduled for a public release in September 2025—brings a host of new features, performance improvements, and security enhancements, and Microsoft’s early media drop will allow organizations to begin testing and planning for a smooth transition when the update goes live.

What’s New in Windows 11 25H2?

According to the official release notes, the 25H2 update brings several headline features:

• Improved Start‑Menu and Task‑bar performance – The new update introduces a slimmer, faster UI, with better touch support for hybrid devices.
• Enhanced Virtual Desktop customization – Users can now set distinct wallpapers and color schemes for each virtual desktop.
• Expanded Windows Hello biometric options – Facial recognition and iris scanning support is now built‑in on compatible hardware.
• New Windows Sandbox improvements – The sandbox now includes a richer set of pre‑installed developer tools.
• Security hardening – Added mandatory encryption for removable storage and tighter control over third‑party driver signing.

The Windows 11 25H2 release also includes a comprehensive set of driver updates and bug fixes that address the most common pain points reported by the Windows Insider Program community.

How to Download the ISO

Microsoft has made the ISO file directly available from the Windows 11 download center, a change from earlier releases where the ISO could only be obtained through the Insider Program. To grab the file:

1. Visit the official download page: [ https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 ].
2. Under the “Get Windows 11” section, click Download now.
3. On the next screen, choose Windows 11 (25H2) from the dropdown menu and select the language you wish to include in the ISO.
4. Click Confirm and the ISO will begin downloading.

The ISO is approximately 4.8 GB in size and includes all supported language packs for a fully localized experience. It is signed with Microsoft’s SHA‑256 hash, and the checksum is provided on the download page to verify integrity.

Creating Bootable Installation Media

Once you have the ISO, you can create a bootable USB drive or DVD. Microsoft recommends using the Media Creation Tool for a streamlined process:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool from the same Windows 11 download page.
2. Run the executable and accept the license terms.
3. Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
4. Choose USB flash drive (recommended for most users) and pick the target drive.
5. The tool will format the drive and copy the necessary files.

If you prefer a manual approach, you can use the diskpart and xcopy commands in an elevated command prompt:

diskpart
select disk X   (replace X with your USB disk number)
clean
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs
active
assign
exit

xcopy /E /F /H C:\Windows11-25H2\* D:\  (replace source and destination paths as appropriate)

After the copy completes, the USB drive will be ready to boot on any compatible PC.

Compatibility and System Requirements

Even though the 25H2 ISO can be used to upgrade Windows 10 devices, Microsoft recommends only upgrading Windows 11 devices that meet the minimum hardware specifications. The requirements are identical to those for the previous 24H2 release:

The article points out that the 25H2 ISO can be used for both clean installs and in‑place upgrades. However, it advises performing a full backup of all data and critical applications before proceeding, especially on production environments.

Known Issues and Workarounds

Microsoft’s release notes include a short “Known Issues” section that lists a handful of quirks that are still being addressed:

1. Display driver hangs on some AMD GPUs – Installing the latest AMD Catalyst driver version 22.9 or newer resolves the issue.
2. Bluetooth pairing intermittently fails – A temporary patch will be released in the next cumulative update; meanwhile, resetting the Bluetooth radio through Device Manager can help.
3. Legacy BIOS machines may not boot from USB – Enabling Secure Boot and switching to UEFI mode in the BIOS solves the problem.

The article encourages readers to report any additional problems to the Windows 11 Support Center via the “Help” icon on the Microsoft website.

Preparing for the Public Roll‑Out

While the ISO is now available, Microsoft has indicated that the official public roll‑out will start on September 15, 2025, with the first wave of devices beginning to receive the update over the following two weeks. For enterprises, the early media drop gives administrators a chance to:

• Run pilot deployments on a small group of machines.
• Validate compatibility with mission‑critical software and drivers.
• Create a custom deployment image that includes organization‑specific language packs, themes, and pre‑installed applications.
• Set up a staged roll‑out via Windows Update for Business, ensuring that the update propagates gradually and that support staff can monitor for regressions.

The article stresses that this proactive testing phase is crucial. “Organizations that wait until the public roll‑out begin to install the update often find themselves scrambling to resolve compatibility or performance issues,” the author notes.

Where to Find More Information

The article links to several key resources that readers may find helpful:

• Windows 11 Release Information – The official Microsoft page detailing the release schedule and feature list: [ https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/release-information/windows-11 ].
• Windows Insider Program – For those who want to preview future builds and provide feedback: [ https://insider.windows.com ].
• Windows 11 System Requirements – A comprehensive guide to verifying hardware compatibility: [ https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/security/compartments/requirements ].
• Windows 11 Support Center – Where you can raise tickets, view known issues, and find troubleshooting guides: [ https://support.microsoft.com/windows ].

Final Take‑Away

Microsoft’s early release of the Windows 11 25H2 installation media gives IT teams a precious window to test, troubleshoot, and plan for a smooth update experience when the public roll‑out begins in mid‑September. By downloading the ISO today, creating bootable media, and starting pilot deployments, organizations can avoid the typical late‑stage headaches that plague many upgrade cycles.

Whether you’re a small business, a large enterprise, or a developer preparing for a fresh Windows 11 environment, the early availability of the 25H2 media means you can take control of the upgrade process rather than reacting to it. For more detailed instructions, check the linked Microsoft documentation and the Windows 11 support portal.

Stay tuned for further updates as Microsoft continues to refine the 25H2 build, and be sure to keep your devices patched and backed up before you hit “Install.”