Media Creation Tool and Digital License Queries  

Hi folks,

I have THREE different Media Creation Tools - one from August 2016, one from August 2018 (labelled 1803) and one from August 2019 (labelled 1903).

Does it matter which tool I run in order to get a backup copy of Windows 10?

In other words, when I run the tool, will it download the latest version from Microsoft (which I believe is 1909)?

Failing that, is there somewhere I can download 1909 from as an .iso and burn it to a USB using Rufus?

I aske because my wife's 1 y.o. laptop has just gone south but I have no backup copy of Windows 10 in case this happens again out of warranty.

As an aside, how does the digital license work if the laptop requires a new hard disk (the current repair should come back with a working, licensed machine from Lenovo).

Thanks folks,

Art

- - - Updated - - -

Further to my above query,

I found this from bleepingcomputer.com:

How to Download the Windows 10 1909 ISO From Microsoft

Stil have the question about the digital license though.

Art

You download the latest 1909 and let MS create USB lots have saved ISO and used Rufus and it often doesn't work. When installed you can skip a key if asked it activatiats from ms server

1) Windows 10 iso are free
2) Windows 10 iso can be created for most windows versions/builds
3) As long as there is access to a working computer with internet access a windows 10 iso can be created when it is needed
4) There is no need to maintain multiple Windows 10 iso versions unless you want to quickly go back to a prior version
5) The Windows 10 version on the computer may have a digital (the iso does not have a digital license and is free)
6) A windows 10 iso can be used for clean install, custom install, windows Recovery Enviroment (RE) troubleshooting
7) If you make backup images you will reduce the need to use a Windows 10 iso
8) Rufus is not needed when making a Windows10 iso

Also, to be clear, you cannot downgrade to previous versions of Windows. If you want to move to a previous version you have to clean install.

ArthurDent said:

I have THREE different Media Creation Tools - one from August 2016, one from August 2018 (labelled 1803) and one from August 2019 (labelled 1903).
Does it matter which tool I run in order to get a backup copy of Windows 10?

The behaviour of an out of date MCT has evolved over the various versions. The earlier ones, including your 1607 one, will continue to download the version they were built for. To this day my 2015 one will make media for the original release (1507, build 10240).

Then MS made the MCT check to see if it was up to date, refusing to make media if it wasn't and telling you to download the latest MCT. That, I think, includes your 1803 one.

Now the last few MCTs, including your 1903 one, will make media for the currently available version whatever it is, at the moment that's 1909 build 18363.592.

If in doubt, download a fresh MCT. It's tiny in comparison the the download you are about to do so why take a risk?

Thanks Bree,

I found a link for a 1909 MCT and am taking Samuria's suggestion and using the 1909 MCT to over-write the iso saved to the USB flash drive using Rufus.

Thanks also to dalchina, zbook and NavyLCDR for their input.

Art