You can now update your Windows OS to the Windows 11 version 22H2. If you can’t wait for the free upgrade notification on Windows Update, Microsoft has provided an opportunity for you to update your devices immediately by downloading ISOs of Windows 11 version 22H2.

The ISO file is free and available for all Windows operating systems with 64-bit processors (this means that the ISO file is not available in the 32-bit version). It is available in all editions, including Pro, Home, Workstation, Enterprise, Education, and others. Note that the ISO files are mainly aimed at PCs that do not meet the minimum system requirement to run Windows 11.

To download the ISO file for Windows 11 version 22H2, you can use either of the two options. You can download the Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) from Microsoft’s website or create a media installation image using a Media Creation Tool.

See the instructions below to get started.

How to Download and Install Windows 11 22H2 ISO file on Your PC for Free

  1. Click on the download button on the sidebar to go directly to the Windows 11 22H2 ISO file download page.
  2. Go to the section “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)“ and select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO) to proceed.
    Windows 11 download screenshot
  3. Click on “Download“. Choose your preferred language. Make sure this is the same language you have on Windows. A unique download link will be generated immediately. Click on the link to download the .iso file. This is about 5.2 GB, but be sure you have at least 10 GB of storage space on your PC.
    Windows 11 download button screenshot
  4. Go to your download folder and right-click the “Win11_22H2_English_x64v1.iso” file and select Mount from the menu. This action will create a “virtual” bootable disc on your computer.
    Windows 11 ISO mount screenshot
  5. Double-click on the “virtual” bootable disc to view the files within. Select the setup.exe in the folder and double-click on it to start Windows 11 setup.
    Windows 11 ISO setup exe screenshot
  6. Grant Windows administrator permission if requested and click Next. On the next screen, you can choose to install any important updates before upgrading. Click Next after.
    Windows 11 ISO install screenshot
  7. Accept the End User License Agreement and Click Install. When the “Ready to install” screen appears, ensure you select the option that lets you keep the personal files and apps then wait for the installation to complete.

During the installation, Windows will check for updates multiple times to reduce compatibility issues. Note that this will require an internet connection. However, you can choose not to get updates by turning off your internet connection. The Windows 11 upgrade will proceed anyway.

How to uninstall Windows 11 22H2 from your PC

If you have already upgraded to Windows 11, you can also revert to a lower version, such as Windows 10 or Windows 11 version 21H2 without losing your files.

In case the new Windows 11 version 22H2 is causing issues or making your machine slower, you can follow the guide below to undo the Windows 11 upgrade and go back to the version you were using before.

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click on Recovery.
  2. Click “Go Back.” Select your reason for uninstalling Windows 11 22H2 and click Next.
    Windows 11 file recovery screenshot
  3. Click the “No, thanks button”, followed by Next. Click the Next button again.
  4. Finally, click Go back to “Windows 10 21H2” or “Windows 11 21H2”.

Using the recovery option is only possible within the first 10 days after you upgraded to Windows 11 version 22H2. After this period, Windows 11 will automatically delete the files from the previous installation to free up space to accommodate more of your files.

If you would like to try other free operating systems, check out the free alternatives below.

Overview of Windows 11 22H2

Windows 11 has a lot in common with Windows 10. In fact, they are the same thing, only that it comes with new system requirements and better aesthetics. Windows 11 22H2 comes with a few design improvements for the operating system.

A major improvement in Windows 11 22H2 is the redesigned File Explorer. File Explorer now supports tabs and a new sidebar. The Start Menu has also been updated with support for new customization options. Although you can add more icons or recommendations as you like, you can no longer change the Start Menu size.

Windows 11 desktop screenshot

Using the ISO (disc image) file is just one way to install the Windows 11 22H2 version. Alternatively, you can perform a clean install of Windows 11 on your PC by downloading the media creation tool to make a bootable USB or DVD. It is actually the best method to bypass the situation where your Windows 10 device does not qualify for an upgrade to Windows 11.

Note, however, that this is unsafe. You may experience issues, such as crashes and you will not be able to access Windows security or software updates anymore. Microsoft currently does not support PCs that do not meet the minimum system requirement for Windows 11 22H2 upgrade.

Features of Windows 11 22H2

Here are some of the major improvements that come with Windows version 11 22H2:

New Start Menu

The Start menu redesign is one of the biggest changes in Windows 11 22H2 when compared to previous Windows versions. Windows 11 22H2 comes with new settings that allow you to customize the “Recommended” section in the Start menu.

You can’t disable this feature, but you can choose from three different options in the Start settings, which are “More pins,” “Default,” and “More recommendations” if you wish to see fewer recommended items and more pins, for example. As part of the power button improvements, Windows has also added a quick access button that allows you to easily open the “Sign-in options” page.

Improved Taskbar

There are also some changes in the Windows taskbar. On the Taskbar settings page, there is now an option to enable or disable the ability to share any window from your Taskbar on certain apps like Microsoft Teams.

The “Bluetooth & Devices” setting page and system volume are now even easier to access. In addition, the “Notification Center,” design now has an acrylic background. There is also a Taskbar Overflow feature that makes it easier for you to switch and open applications when there isn’t enough space in the Taskbar.

Do Not Disturb and Focus

Microsoft has also made some changes in the focus mode. Unlike before, it is now much easier to start a Focus Session. This feature allows you to silence notification banners by setting up rules to automatically turn on and do not disturb.

The feature is now in the notification center for easier access. you can also set priority notifications for specific apps, reminders, and calls to break through when “do not disturb” is on. To personalize your focus experience, go to Settings > System > Focus.

Snap Layouts Drop Menu

You now have a new way to snap windows into snap layouts for both touch and mouse. You can see the snap layouts by dragging a window to the top of the screen. Dropping the window on top of a zone allows you to snap it. The Snap assist enables you to finish snapping your windows in a selected layout.

New Windows File Explorer

Starting with the Windows 11 2022 Update, Windows 11 introduced an update for File Explorer. You will see a number of visual changes and improvements. The home page is new and has a better aesthetic appeal, the folder design is different, and there is an “Add to Favorites” support available through the context menu for files and folders. Also, with the new OneDrive integration
in File Explorer, you now have control over storage consumption and file syncing.

File Explorer has finally gotten tabs support. Instead of opening multiple windows, you can simply use the “+” sign to add more tabs, as though you are using a web browser. You can conveniently explore various folders and drive locations, thanks to the enhanced navigation pane and redesigned context menu. Additionally, applications now have the ability to display previews of items contained within folders.

Additional Keyboard Shortcuts

  • You can use the “Shift + Right-click” shortcut to open the classic context menu.
  • With the “Ctrl + Shift + C” keyboard shortcut, you copy the item path to the clipboard when selecting a file or folder.
  • You can use the Ctrl + T keyboard shortcut to create a new tab in File Explorer and use the Ctrl + W keyboard combination to close a tab.

Free Alternatives to Windows 11 22H2

Chrome OS Flex: Chrome OS Flex is an advanced version of the Chrome OS operating system. Chrome OS Flex is a free and sustainable way to modernize devices you already own (including Macbooks and PCs) and turn them into Chromebooks. It is the latest version of Chrome OS.

Windows 11 21H2: This is the original version of Windows 11 (also known as version 21H2), which was released in October 2021. In many ways, it is similar to the 22H2 version, but the recent version has more improvements. You can easily revert to this version of Windows 11 if you are experiencing compatibility issues after installing Windows 11 22H2.

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS: This is the latest version of the Ubuntu desktop and offers one of the best experiences on the Linux OS. You can try Ubuntu without losing your files. This Linux-based operating system is free, open-source, and suitable for laptops, desktops, and servers. Just like Windows 11 22H2, Ubuntu features all the applications you need for browsing, presentation, managing your documents, instant messaging, and much more.

FAQs

Is Windows 11 22H2 ISO file free?

Yes, Windows 11 22H2 is available for free to everyone, and you can switch back to a different OS anytime. You have full access to Microsoft Office Suite using your existing product key. Follow the guide above and I’ll show you how to download and install Windows 11 22H2 for free on your computer.

Is Windows 11 22H2 secure?

As long as your system meets the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11 22H2, it is safe to install the ISO file. To avoid causing any harm to your system or losing access to Windows support and updates, be sure to download and install the Windows 11 22H2 ISO file from the official website. This also protects you from viruses and malware.

What is the minimum system requirement for installing Windows 11 22H2 on your PC?

Your PC must have a Windows 10 license, a processor of 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC), 4 GB RAM, and at least 9 GB of free disk space. It must also support TPM 2.0 and be compatible with DirectX 12 or later.
Download Windows 11 22H2 ISO File now!