Martin JørgensenUpdated: April 21, 2026 — latest version: 26H1
Download Windows 11 safely from Microsoft as an ISO, to USB, or with the installation tools below
Windows 11 26H1 is the latest feature update from Microsoft, delivering ongoing improvements in stability, performance, and security. With a modern design, better multitasking, and deeper cloud integration, it’s a worthy upgrade from Windows 10.
Microsoft designed Windows 11 for both work and play — and it shows. We experienced faster boot times and more efficient performance on laptops, with noticeably longer battery life than on Windows 10. The interface looks cleaner and calmer with rounded corners, refreshed icons, and a centered taskbar. The Microsoft Store is also far easier to navigate, making it simpler to find apps, games, and streaming services.
One feature we loved is Snap Layouts and Snap Groups. When you have many windows open, organizing your workspace becomes much easier. Teams is now pinned directly to the taskbar, which makes it easy to start a chat or meeting without opening a separate app. For gamers, Windows 11 brings two aces: DirectStorage and AutoHDR deliver faster load times and better visuals in supported games.
We also tested Windows 11 in a multi‑monitor setup and saw major improvements. Virtual desktops are more flexible, and touchscreen devices work much better with the system than before. On the security side, Microsoft raises the bar with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, and together with Windows Hello it feels like a more robust platform overall.
If you want to try it yourself, you can download the latest version via the links on this page and get full details on installation and system requirements.
Our hands-on with Windows 11 — features and user experience
We’ve run Windows 11 on a standard PC for several weeks, and the first thing you notice is the design.
✅ New design — rounded corners, updated icons, and a streamlined UI
It may sound small, but the rounded corners and modern icons make the whole system feel more comfortable to use. If you sit in front of a screen for hours, you’ll notice the visual polish. The centered Start menu took a little getting used to, but after a couple of days it actually felt more natural than the classic left‑aligned layout.
✅ Improved multitasking — Snap Layouts and Snap Groups make window management easy
This is a real upgrade. We tested Snap Layouts with Outlook, Edge, and Word open at the same time, and it’s impressive how quickly you can arrange apps side by side. Snap Groups remembers your layout so you can jump straight back into your workflow.
✅ Better performance — optimized for modern hardware for faster, more efficient operation
In our testing, Windows 11 generally felt faster than Windows 10, especially at startup and when switching between heavy apps like Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Resource usage was lower than expected, and it’s clear the system is tuned for newer hardware with SSDs and modern CPUs.
✅ Teams integration — chat and video calls right from the taskbar
We tried the taskbar Teams chat and it was convenient to start a quick conversation without opening the full Teams app. For private users it may not be a “must‑have,” but for anyone working from home or in regular online meetings, it’s a small but useful improvement.
✅ Android apps on Windows — run select Android apps via the Microsoft Store
One of the most exciting additions is the ability to run Android apps in Windows 11. We installed the Amazon Appstore and grabbed a few simple apps, which ran fine. The selection is still limited, and we had to tweak a few settings before everything worked perfectly.
✅ Stronger security — TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for better protection
Windows 11 requires newer security features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. One older PC couldn’t upgrade, which was a bit frustrating. On supported machines, though, the system feels more robust. It’s clear Microsoft is taking security seriously — for both businesses and home users.
How to download and install Windows 11
1. Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant This tool guides you through upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without losing your files. Perfect if you want a quick and simple in‑place upgrade.
Download the Installation Assistant
2. Create installation media (USB or DVD) If you want a clean install or need to set up a new device, use the Media Creation Tool. It can create a bootable USB drive or DVD automatically.
Download the Media Creation Tool
3. Download the Windows 11 ISO Advanced users can download a Windows 11 ISO and install the OS manually.
Windows 11 ISO (26H1) — Home/Pro in English
If you want a clean install or prefer to keep the file for later, a Windows 11 ISO is the flexible choice. You’ll get the official Disk Image (ISO) directly from Microsoft. The ISO is multi‑edition (Home/Pro) — your license/activation selects the edition. Simply choose English (United States) as the language during download.
- Edition: Same ISO for Home and Pro (consumer editions). Your key/digital license determines which one activates.
- Architecture: 64‑bit (x64) — Windows 11 is not available in 32‑bit.
- Language: Select “English (United States)” for your Windows 11 ISO download.
How to grab the ISO quickly
- Go to Microsoft’s download page and scroll to “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).”
- Select “Windows 11 (multi‑edition ISO),” click Confirm, choose “English (United States),” and confirm again.
- Download the ISO (.iso) and use it for a USB drive, a virtual machine, or mount it in Windows.
ISO vs. Media Creation Tool — which should you choose?
Choose the ISO when…
- you want a clean install or need to install on multiple PCs.
- you’ll use the ISO for a virtual machine (VMware, VirtualBox, Hyper‑V).
- you prefer creating a USB with Rufus/Ventoy or keeping the ISO as a backup.
Choose the Media Creation Tool when…
- you want to upgrade this PC now with minimal choices.
- you want an automatic bootable USB without extra software.
- you prefer a guided process with fewer manual steps.
Download the ISO file
Frequently asked questions about Windows 11
System requirements for Windows 11
To install Windows 11, your PC must meet these minimum requirements:
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with at least 2 cores (64‑bit)
- RAM: 4 GB or more
- Storage: 64 GB or more
- Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
- Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible
- Display: 720p, at least 9" diagonal
Use the PC Health Check tool from Microsoft to verify if your PC is compatible:
Download PC Health Check:Microsoft’s official page
What if your PC doesn’t support Windows 11?
If your device doesn’t meet the Windows 11 requirements, you can continue using Windows 10, which Microsoft stopped supporting in October 2025.
Download the latest version of Windows 10 here:Microsoft’s official page
Should you upgrade to Windows 11?
After testing Windows 11 on several machines, we see it as a significant upgrade with a fresh design, smarter multitasking, and a strong focus on security. If your PC meets the requirements, it delivers a more modern, smoother experience that’s well worth considering.
That said, Windows 10 is still a stable and reliable choice — especially if your computer doesn’t support Windows 11 or you prefer to stay on a tried‑and‑tested system.
Whichever version you choose, we recommend downloading the newest release here so you’re running the latest features and security updates.
Comparison: Windows 11 vs. earlier versions
| Category | Windows 11 | Windows 10 | Windows 8.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| User interface | Modern, rounded corners, centered taskbar | Classic Windows look, tile‑based Start menu | Tile‑based Start screen, no Start menu |
| Performance | Optimized for newer hardware, faster startup | Stable performance, works on older hardware | Needs tuning, not very efficient |
| Security | TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Microsoft Defender | Microsoft Defender, regular updates | Basic security, few updates |
| Multitasking | Snap Layouts, Snap Groups | Virtual desktops, less advanced Snap | Limited multitasking |
| Gaming | DirectStorage, AutoHDR, better performance | Good for gaming, lacks newer optimizations | Limited support for the latest games |
| Microsoft Teams | Integrated into the taskbar | Available as a separate app | No direct integration |
| App support | Supports Android apps via Microsoft Store | Microsoft Store with Windows apps | Limited app ecosystem |
| System requirements | Higher (TPM 2.0, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage) | Works on most devices | Works on older hardware |
| Support | Ongoing updates | Supported until October 2025 | Support ended January 2023 |
Windows 11 is clearly the most modern and secure version of Windows, but the higher system requirements can be challenging for older devices. If you’re still on Windows 10, it’s a stable platform, though support ended in 2025. Windows 8.1 is outdated and no longer recommended.
