Download Windows 11 26H2 ISO (offline installer) directly from Microsoft
Microsoft has released the Windows 11 26H2 ISO, which includes significant integration of AI models, resulting in a larger file size compared to previous versions. The update is available for x64 and ARM-based PCs via Microsoft's official portal.
Why it matters
The increased size of the OS highlights the growing hardware and storage requirements necessitated by the integration of AI directly into operating systems.
Windows 11 26H2 ISO images are now available, and you can download them directly from Microsoft’s download portal. This is Microsoft’s 2026 annual feature update for the OS, where 26H2 stands for the 2026 second half (H2) release.
PCs that are already running on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 get 26H2 through a tiny enablement package, but if you download the ISO, it will still be a full Windows installation image.
According to a Microsoft document seen by Windows Latest, the final code is “built, packaged, and shipped through various media types,” including ISO images and feature update packages on Windows Update.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in