Media Creation Tool installation media query

Hi all, When Microsoft release a new Windows 10 version, A few days after release I always go to the Microsoft website, download the ISO and create a bootable USB flash drive and store it safely in case I need it for a clean install in the future. I did that with version 1903 as soon as it became available through the Media Creation Tool.
A couple of times in the past though Microsoft have updated the Media Creation Tool ISO on their website a few weeks or months later to include an updated build number.
If Microsoft do this again, would it still be OK to clean install using my original 1903 installation media I created back in May even if Microsoft decide at some point in the future to update the 1903 Media Creation Tool to a newer build?
Or would I have to download the 1903 ISO all over again if they update it so as to get the very latest build before doing a clean install?
I would still create new installation media every time that a new version is released (1909 etc) but I'd like to avoid having to create new installation media all over again if its just an intermediate release of a newer build unless its absolutely necessary

If you don't use the latest Release, all that will happen is that any updates between then and now, will be down loaded during the install process. It may extend the install time, but will work just fine. And with the current schedule the MS is doing the minimum total of CU's would be 6 (ie every 6 months new release are available). However some months we have seen 2 updates, but that is rare.

Hi,
Last I used the build was not updated from the older iso I believe was .116 and newest at the time was .207 with internet connected
The build had to be updated after the install finally finished which was sort of silly seeing the install checked for updates a couple times.

So yes to get the most recent iso use the newest tool.

storageman said:

If you don't use the latest Release, all that will happen is that any updates between then and now, will be down loaded during the install process. It may extend the install time, but will work just fine. And with the current schedule the MS is doing the minimum total of CU's would be 6 (ie every 6 months new release are available). However some months we have seen 2 updates, but that is rare.

You say that the minimum total of Cumulative Updates would be six. Am I correct in thinking though that if say 6 Cu's were needed to bring the build up to date that only the latest one would be downloaded as the latest one would also include the previous 5 month's Cu's as well?

sportsfan148 said:

You say that the minimum total of Cumulative Updates would be six. Am I correct in thinking though that if say 6 Cu's were needed to bring the build up to date that only the latest one would be downloaded as the latest one would also include the previous 5 month's Cu's as well?

Thanks for correcting me (Still had my Win 7 hat on). But yes there would be only 1, the last one so that is worst case.

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
Last I used the build was not updated from the older iso I believe was .116 and newest at the time was .207 with internet connected
The build had to be updated after the install finally finished which was sort of silly seeing the install checked for updates a couple times.

So yes to get the most recent iso use the newest tool.

Is the fact that the build had to be updated after the install finally finished a cause for concern then? Were there issues?
If I had to download the latest ISO build that would take a lot of time.
In your case you say "the build you used was not updated from the older iso .116 and newest at the time was .207 with internet connected. The build had to be updated after the install finally finished which was sort of silly seeing the install checked for updates a couple times". After the clean install Did Windows Update bring you up to the latest build with a Cumulative Update anyway so downloading the latest ISO wouldn't really be necessary?

storageman said:

Thanks for correcting me (Still had my Win 7 hat on). But yes there would be only 1, the last one so that is worst case.

That wouldn't be a problem at all. Judging by what you say then. Downloading the latest ISO would be a waste of time really. If I used the original release instead of downloading and using the very latest ISO build. A worst case scenario would be that Windows Update would bring the clean installation right up to date to the latest build by downloading and installing just one Cumulative Update. Does it do that in the background during the installation process or is it done through Windows Update as I described above after the installation has finished?

Hi,
Doesn't quite work like that
Each kb has different fixes thus you'd get all missing kb's.

sportsfan148 said:

That wouldn't be a problem at all. Judging by what you say then. Downloading the latest ISO would be a waste of time really. If I used the original release instead of downloading and using the very latest ISO build. A worst case scenario would be that Windows Update would bring the clean installation right up to date to the latest build by downloading and installing just one Cumulative Update. Does it do that in the background during the installation process or is it done through Windows Update as I described above after the installation has finished?

From what I have seen, it occurs during the final install steps.

I get all my windows .iso for previous builds at Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool.
I still have the 1809 MCT in addition to the 1903 MCT and when you use either to download the .iso it doens't download as a specific build of windows. It downloads simply as windows.iso.
If you want 1809 you can boot your system with a linux live usb flash drive, and you will be given the option of 1809 or 1903. This is because the user-agent string in the browser id's your OS to Microsoft. Same thing is you have a Mac. If you use windows to download the .iso you will be given 1903 by default.