How to get the Windows 10 May 2021 Update version 21H1

Just as an aside, I was pleased to find that the 21H1 x64 ISO fits onto a DVD boot disk again.
20H2 x64 was too big to actually fit on a DVD, despite the DVD option still being offered by the Media Creation Tool, and I had to use an expensive Blu-ray disk!
(The 32 bit version of 20H2 was smaller of course and therefore OK.)

Yes I could use a thumb drive of course, but as my machines have optical drives available I still like to use a DVD, perhaps for no better reason than the fact that I've always done.
Old school!

I'm just interested more than anything, but (with 20H2 and 2004) why are the file sizes different between the different versions you could download from MS?

If you download using MCT on Windows machine, the ISOs are smaller than if you downloaded on a non-Windows machine (either English - which is US or English International - which installs UK ENG). Around 4.5gb vs 6.5gb.

Hi,

Microsoft WIM file is Windows Imaging format which is easier for Windows utilities such as Dism to work with whereas the ESD format is designed for Electronic Software Distribution.
ESD is more heavily compressed in order to keep web traffic as low as feasable.

Cheers,

Unsure where to post this, so I'll chance it in here.

So I decided to test a fresh install of Windows 10 Home and configured it to my preference such as turning privacy options off, disabling telemetry, data collection and the like.

By default, it installs 19043.928 and whilst it stated it had checked for updates, it looks like it only installed some system and display drivers. This amounted to ~150mb 'from Microsoft' (Delivery Optimisation>Activity Monitor>Download Stats).

This figure later increased to ~400mb I think as a result of Windows updating 'threat protection updates', but when I checked under update history, there's no trace of it there (only shown under Windows Security)?

Several hours later, I noticed some download activity and thought it might be Win updates, however this was not evident under Windows Updates. This download amounted to ~800mb as Download stats increased to 1.2gb. I've also noticed this with previous versions of freshly installed windows - has anyone else noticed and know what this relates to (just curious)?

It was only today - as soon as I got online - that Windows updated to 19043.985 (why did it not yesterday?), provided options to download drivers and updated security intelligence files etc and now reflected under Update History. This latest set of files took the 1.2gb to 1.9gb.

Does it look fine to you guys?

- - - Updated - - -

f14tomcat said:

The Media creation tool will create what is called an ESD format ISO, the data is much more compact. Other versions, like straight downloads may be in the un-compressed WIM format. That the quick version of why. Also, that 6.5GB version appears to be all editions.... home, Pro, Education, etc. It will be bigger. Media creation tool only includes what is your current OS edition

fdegrove said:

Hi,

Microsoft WIM file is Windows Imaging format which is easier for Windows utilities such as Dism to work with whereas the ESD format is designed for Electronic Software Distribution.
ESD is more heavily compressed in order to keep web traffic as low as feasable.

Cheers,

Thanks f14tomcat and fdegrove for you explanations. So WIM file, although larger in size, is the one to go for?

I'm sure the MCT version also gives the option to install Home, Pro etc.?

Hi,

So WIM file, although larger in size, is the one to go for?

That's what I would go for generally speaking. That said if you do not have the necessary knowledge to take it to your advantage there's little use for it really.
IMHO a decent backup policy is the best solution for most people.

Cheers,