How to use the ISO file you just created

Microsoft recommends the Media Creation Tool to update or upgrade your PC to Windows 10 22H2. But you can also mount the ISO file yourself. It will install the latest update while keeping your files, apps, and settings intact.

Here’s how you can update your device to Windows 10 22H2 using ISO file directly in File Explorer:

1. Open File Explorer and go to the Downloads folder where the ISO image is located.
2. Double-click “Win10_22H2_v2_English_x64.iso” file to mount it.
3. Find and double-click the Setup.exe file in the folder.
4. Accept the terms and conditions and click Upgrade this PC.
5. Windows automatically checks and downloads drivers or cumulative updates. Of course, you’ll need an internet connection for this.
6. Select the Keep personal files, programs, and apps option. You can either keep everything or nothing for a clean, fresh Windows 10 installation.
7. Check your selections again and then click ‘Install or ‘Next’, and the Windows 10 installation process will begin.
8. Finally, Reboot.

Minimum requirements to install Windows 10

I don’t think this needs to be noted, but Windows 10 is now 10 years old, so the hardware requirements are pretty basic, which is a relief for most users who have older systems.

Minimum requirements for Windows 10 32-bit:

• Processor – 1 GHz, PAE/NX/SSE2 support
• RAM – 1 GB
• Storage – 16 GB
• Graphics – DirectX 9 with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Display – 800 x 600

Recommended specifications for Windows 10 32-bit:

• Processor – 2.5 GHz Dual-Core or better
• RAM – 4 GB
• Storage – 100 GB+ (preferably SSD)
• Graphics – DirectX 11+ with HD support
• Display – 1920 x 1080

Minimum requirements to install Windows 10 64-bit:

• Processor – 1 GHz, 64-bit capable
• RAM – 2 GB
• Storage – 20 GB
• Graphics – DirectX 9 with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Display – 800 x 600

Recommended specifications for Windows 10 64-bit:

• Processor – 2.5 GHz Dual-Core or better
• RAM – 8 GB
• Storage – 100 GB+ (preferably SSD)
• Graphics – DirectX 11+ with HD support
• Display – 1920 x 1080

How to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 10 on a PC

A bootable USB drive with Windows 10 is like an easy fallback method that you can use if you need to recover from system errors or fix boot issues. It’s also handy for clean installs, and if you want to install Windows 10 across multiple devices.

Keep a formatted USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space ready, and then use the following steps to create a Windows 10 bootable USB drive:

1. Open the Microsoft download center for Windows 10, and scroll down to the “Create Windows 10 Installation media” section.
2. Click the Download Now button.
3. The download will start immediately. Save the MediaCreationTool22H2.exe file to the location of your choice and then double-click it.
4. Accept the terms and conditions.
5. Now, select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”.
6. Click Next.
7. Now, if you want to install Windows on the same PC you’re using, keep the default “Use the recommended options for this PC” as on. Otherwise, if you’re installing on a different PC, uncheck it, select the language, architecture, and edition you want, and then click Next.
8. Select the USB flash drive option and click Next.
9. Find your USB drive and click Next.
10. Microsoft will continue with the download process and save Windows 10 media to your USB drive. You will get a message on screen saying “Your USB flash drive is ready”. Click Finish, and the installer will close, after which you can unplug the USB drive.
11. Then, to install Windows 10 in a new PC, or the same PC, plug the bootable USB flash drive into the PC, and go to the UEFI or BIOS setup by holding down the F12 key during system boot.
12. Finally, start Windows Setup.

Burn the Windows 10 ISO file to a DVD

If you really want to go old-school, you can burn the ISO onto a DVD. You’ll need a blank DVD-R with 8.5GB dual-layer for Windows 10 in 64-bit. 32-bit requires only a 4.7 GB DVD.

1. Right-click the Win10_22H2_v2_English_x64.iso file.
2. Select the Burn disc image option. You’ll see the Windows Disc Image Burner pop-up.
3. Choose the correct drive for the Disc Image Burner Window.
4. Click Burn to begin writing the bootable image. It might take a few minutes.
5. Once done, Windows will confirm it. Eject the disc and your bootable DVD is ready.

This can be used to install Windows 10 into a PC the same way as a bootable USB flash drive.

What happens after October 14, 2025?

Although Microsoft originally intended to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, the 4 trillion dollar company initially said that customers can pay $30 and get security updates for one year.

Now, Microsoft has started rolling out a pop-up that allows users to extend Windows 10 support in three ways: sync your settings with Windows Backup, use 1000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay $30 to keep a local account.

The ISO files from Microsoft’s official website may still be available for a short while after October 14, 2025, but there is no guarantee of how long they will be available.

If you plan on keeping Windows 10 on your PC, we highly recommend that you archive the ISO file as soon as possible, even if your PC already runs Windows 10, as system errors are never uncommon, and you may have to reinstall the OS.