Downloading Windows 11

I have Windows 11 ISO 22H2 which I downloaded on 12.11.2022. so it's 7 months old ISO.
There for certain were updates since that time.

Now if I go to download site and download fresh ISO: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
Will that new download include updates?

I suppose I'll get same ISO, that is 22H2 without updates, but is that really so?
So the question is, does MS updates ISO's from download page?

The procedure for examining an ISO or InstallUSB is the same on both OS.
See Full Details about a Windows 10 ISO file or USB - TenForumsTutorials
See Full Details about Windows 11 Installation ISO or USB - ElevenForumTutorials

My Jan 2023 Win11 ISO is build 10.0.22621.525
The current ISO is 10.0.22621.1702
Download Windows 11 ISO file - ElevenForumTutorials

But the latest CU, which you'll have to install in any case, will bring any build up to the latest one. So it does not really matter which ISO you start with.


All the best,
Denis

Thank you, the conclusion then is that MS does not update ISO's.
Build number for my ISO is same as yours (10.0.22621.525)

The only thing they update then is ex. from 22H1 to 22H2 but nothing in between.

Try3 said:

My Jan 2023 Win11 ISO is build 10.0.22621.525
The current ISO is 10.0.22621.1702
Download Windows 11 ISO file - ElevenForumTutorials

zebal said:

Thank you, the conclusion then is that MS does not update ISO's.
Build number for my ISO is same as yours (10.0.22621.525)
The only thing they update then is ex. from 22H1 to 22H2 but nothing in between.

No, mine & yours are .525 whilst the current ISO is .1702.
In other words, you'd get .1702 if you downloaded it again today.

Denis

Try3 said:

No, mine & yours are .525 whilst the current ISO is .1702.
In other words, you'd get .1702 if you downloaded it again today.

Ah OK, thanks, I'll download it then now.

Reason why I want latest is because I don't have unlimited internet and plan to install 11 to VM multiple times.
so less updates means less wasted traffic for me.

zebal said:

Reason why I want latest is because I don't have unlimited internet and plan to install 11 to VM multiple times.
so less updates means less wasted traffic for me.

.525 or .1702 makes little difference, it only needs one CU, the latest one, to get you fully up to date.

To save on traffic you can download the standalone .msu version of the latest CU just the once and apply it manually on as many machines as needed. The download links are at the bottom of Brink's news item.

KB5027231 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Build 22621.1848 (22H2) | Windows 11 Forum

zebal said:

Reason why I want latest is because I don't have unlimited internet and plan to install 11 to VM multiple times.
so less updates means less wasted traffic for me.

Bree's follow-up made me realise why you made that comment.
In both TenForums News & ElevenForum News, there is an article with a download link for just about every update.
I download each one once and install it on my computers without any further downloads being required.


Denis

Thanks Bree, this info is certainly useful.

I recall from Windows 7 ans XP era there were downloadable service packs but had no clue it's possible for later windowses because service packs no longer exists, so CU's are in that sense the same thing.
Will read more about updates later..

zebal said:

I recall from Windows 7 ans XP era there were downloadable service packs but had no clue it's possible for later windowses because service packs no longer exists, so CU's are in that sense the same thing..

The key word in the update's name is 'Cumulative'. Each one contains all the updates from the previous ones, so you'll only ever need the latest CU. Although a CU contains everything, when updating through Windows Update only those patches you haven't already got will be downloaded, keeping your download traffic to a minimum.

Bree said:

Each one contains all the updates from the previous ones, so you'll only ever need the latest CU. Although a CU contains everything, when updating through Windows Update only those patches you haven't already got will be downloaded, keeping your download traffic to a minimum.

I see, then it's still more economic than no offline CU, since on top of an out date CU (that is offline MSU) updates would only download what's new.
Sounds good enough.