To download old Windows 10 or Windows 11 ISO files, use the Media Creation Tool wrapper by AveYo on GitHub. Running the MediaCreationTool.bat file lets you pick any previous Windows 10 or Windows 11 build (21H2, 22H2, 23H2, etc.) and download the official ISO directly from Microsoft’s servers.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2) | Last updated: April 15, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The AveYo Media Creation Tool wrapper on GitHub unlocks every older Windows 10 and Windows 11 ISO Microsoft still hosts on their servers, including 21H2, 22H2, and 23H2.
- You only need the
MediaCreationTool.batfile — download the raw file from the repository, double-click it, and select a version from the list. - Windows 11 builds are labelled with an
11_prefix (e.g.,11_22H2), and Windows 10 builds use the version code alone (e.g.,22H2). - The tool pulls files from Microsoft’s official servers, so the ISOs are signed, unmodified, and safe to use for virtual machines, clean installs, or repair installs.
- Choose “ISO file” in the Media Creation Tool when prompted — this gives you more flexibility than writing straight to USB, since you can then use Rufus or Ventoy later.
Quick Steps
- Open the AveYo MediaCreationTool.bat GitHub repository.
- Click
MediaCreationTool.bat, then click Download raw file. - Double-click the downloaded
MediaCreationTool.batfile. - Pick the Windows version you want from the selection window (e.g.,
11_22H2for Windows 11 22H2). - Choose MCT defaults from the preset menu.
- Accept the license, select your language and edition, then choose ISO file as the output.
- Pick a save location and wait for the download to finish.
Why You Might Need an Older Windows ISO
Microsoft’s official download pages only offer the current release of Windows 10 and Windows 11, which is a problem when you need a specific older build for compatibility testing, a driver that only works on a particular version, or restoring a machine that was originally deployed on an earlier release. In my repair shop days I ran into this constantly — clients on Windows 11 22H2 whose workflow broke after upgrading, or legacy line-of-business apps certified only against a specific build. Having an official, untouched ISO of the older version is the fastest way out.
The AveYo wrapper is a single batch file that calls Microsoft’s own Media Creation Tool with parameters that expose the older product versions, so you’re downloading from Microsoft directly — nothing is modified, mirrored, or re-hosted. That’s the only safe way to get an old ISO, because random ISO mirror sites have been known to ship tampered installers.
Step 1: Download the MediaCreationTool.bat Wrapper
Go to the AveYo/MediaCreationTool.bat repository on GitHub. This is the original source — the repo has been maintained since 2019 and the author publishes changelogs for each Windows release.
In the repository’s file list, click on MediaCreationTool.bat. On the file view page, click the Download raw file button (the download icon in the top-right toolbar above the code preview). The file saves to your Downloads folder immediately — it’s only a few kilobytes.
Note: Windows Defender or your browser may flag the .bat file. Unblock it from the file’s Properties dialog (right-click → Properties → Unblock) or add a Defender exclusion before running it. The file itself is a wrapper that launches Microsoft’s signed installer.
Step 2: Run the Tool and Pick Your Windows Version
Double-click MediaCreationTool.bat. Two windows appear — a console showing automation options on the left, and a selection menu listing all supported Windows versions on the right. The list is the full catalogue of builds Microsoft still serves, which changes over time as older versions go end-of-life.
How the Version Codes Work
21H2= Windows 10, version 21H222H2= Windows 10, version 22H211_21H2= Windows 11, version 21H211_22H2= Windows 11, version 22H211_23H2= Windows 11, version 23H2
Note: The tool only shows versions older than the current release. If Windows 11 24H2 is the current version, you won’t see 24H2 here — you’ll find 23H2 as the latest entry. For the current release, use Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page or Windows 10 download page.
Step 3: Choose the MCT Defaults Preset
After you pick a version, a preset menu appears. Select MCT defaults unless you specifically need the tool’s automation features. MCT defaults loads Microsoft’s standard Media Creation Tool UI, which is what most people want for a one-off download.
The other presets (auto ISO, auto USB, schtasks) are useful for scripted deployments — they skip all prompts and run the download unattended. I’ll cover those at the end.
Step 4: Pick ISO, Language, and Edition
The standard Microsoft Media Creation Tool window opens. Accept the license terms. On the next screen, the tool pre-selects your current system language and edition. If you need something different, uncheck Use the recommended options for this PC to get dropdowns for both fields.
- Language — pick from the full list of supported languages. If you want to match the language of an existing install, check Settings → Time & language → Language & region for the exact name.
- Edition — choose between Windows (Pro / Education / Home) and Windows (Pro / Education / Enterprise). The first bundle is what most people want; Enterprise is the volume-licence edition.
On the next screen, choose ISO file instead of USB flash drive. The ISO gives you more flexibility — you can mount it as a virtual drive, burn it with Rufus, or drop it onto a Ventoy USB alongside other ISOs.
Tip: If you plan to install the ISO on unsupported Windows 11 hardware, grab Windows 11 22H2 or 23H2 from this tool and then use FlyOOBE or the
setup.exe /product serverbypass to install it. Older builds are often less strict about CPU and TPM checks during install.
Step 5: Save and Verify the ISO
Choose a save location. Name the file clearly — I always use the pattern Windows11_22H2_en-US.iso so I can tell at a glance what’s in the file a year later. The download runs straight from Microsoft’s CDN and typically lands around 4–6 GB. Expect 15 minutes to an hour depending on your connection.
Once the download finishes, verify the build by mounting the ISO: right-click the file → Mount. Inside, open sources\install.wim info by running this in an elevated PowerShell window (replace the drive letter with your mounted ISO’s letter):
Get-WindowsImage -ImagePath E:\sources\install.wim -Index 1 | Select-Object ImageName, VersionThe Version field confirms the build number (e.g., 10.0.22621.x for Windows 11 22H2). You can also spin up a VM and run winver once Windows is installed to double-check.
What to Do With the ISO
Once you have the ISO file saved, here’s what you can do with it:
- Make a bootable USB — follow my Rufus bootable USB guide for Windows 10/11 or Ventoy multi-ISO guide to turn it into installation media.
- Customise before install — open the ISO in WIMUtil and add an UnattendedWinstall answer file to skip OOBE and debloat the install automatically.
- Install into a virtual machine — attach the ISO as a virtual optical drive in VMware or VirtualBox.
- Repair an existing install — mount the ISO and run
setup.exefrom the mounted drive to start an in-place upgrade that keeps your files and apps.
Advanced: Automation Presets for IT Deployments
The wrapper’s other presets are designed for scripted workflows. The console window lists each preset alongside the command-line arguments it uses, so you can see exactly what Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool is being called with.
- Auto ISO — downloads straight to an ISO with no prompts, using the current system language and edition.
- Auto USB — writes directly to the first detected removable drive.
- Architecture switches — force x64, x86, or both when you need a specific architecture for downlevel hardware.
- schtasks — registers a scheduled task so the download runs in SYSTEM context, bypassing Smart App Control prompts on locked-down machines.
If you’re building installation media at scale, combine this wrapper with the right custom ISO tool for your use case — WIMUtil and UnattendedWinstall handle the debloating, while this wrapper handles sourcing the correct base ISO.
Troubleshooting
The Download Stops Partway Through
Microsoft’s CDN occasionally drops connections on long downloads. Run the wrapper again with the same settings — the Media Creation Tool has limited resume capability and will usually pick up. If it starts over every time, try the download from a wired connection or during off-peak hours.
The Version I Need Isn’t in the List
Microsoft pulls versions from their CDN once they hit end-of-support. Windows 10 1909, 2004, 20H2, 21H1, and Windows 11 21H2 are all past support and may no longer be available. If the build you want is missing, it’s been retired — you’ll need to look for archived copies on the Internet Archive or use a version that’s still supported.
Not Enough Free Space
Windows ISOs sit around 4–6 GB, and the tool also stages temporary files while downloading. Keep at least 10 GB free on the target drive. If your system drive is cramped, point the save dialog to an external drive or second partition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to download old Windows ISOs this way?
Yes. The wrapper calls Microsoft’s own Media Creation Tool with parameters that expose older versions — every byte is downloaded from Microsoft’s servers. You still need a valid Windows licence to activate the installation, but possessing and using an official ISO is allowed under Microsoft’s download terms.
Can I downgrade from a newer Windows build to an older one?
Only by doing a clean install. Microsoft doesn’t support in-place downgrades — you cannot go from Windows 11 24H2 back to 22H2 without wiping the drive. Back up your data, boot from the older ISO on a USB, and do a fresh install. Apps and settings will not carry over.
Why doesn’t the current Windows version appear in the list?
The wrapper is built to expose older builds that Microsoft’s standard download page doesn’t advertise. For the current release, use the official Windows 11 download page or the Windows 10 download page — both always serve the latest build directly.
How long does Microsoft keep old ISOs available?
Until a version hits end-of-support. Windows 10 22H2 is the final Windows 10 build and is supported through October 14, 2025 (with optional ESU through 2026+). Windows 11 23H2 loses support in November 2026. Once a build is out of support, Microsoft pulls it from the Media Creation Tool CDN — if you think you’ll ever need a specific older build, download and archive it now.
Can I make a bootable USB from the downloaded ISO?
Yes. Use Rufus for a dedicated USB installer, or Ventoy if you want to keep multiple ISOs on one USB and pick which one to boot from a menu. Both are free and handle Windows 10 and Windows 11 ISOs correctly.
Is the AveYo wrapper safe to run?
Yes — the source code is a plain batch file in a public GitHub repo, so you can open it in Notepad and see exactly what it does. It downloads Microsoft’s signed mediacreationtool.exe and launches it with specific command-line arguments. There’s no third-party code injection or modified installer. Windows Defender sometimes flags batch files that download executables, but this one has been on GitHub since 2019 and is widely used.
