ISOs Archives

Winsage

March 15, 2026

Microsoft Updates Windows 11 ISO Tool, How To Install It Without A Microsoft Account Or Internet Connection

A clean install of Windows can improve system performance and resolve issues. To begin, back up important files to a NAS, secondary PC, external storage, or cloud service. Wipe the system disk and start fresh. For installing Windows 11, options include performing a Cloud Download reinstall via the Windows Recovery Environment or using external storage with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool or an ISO. Microsoft updates installation ISOs monthly, reducing the need for additional driver installations. Download necessary drivers beforehand, focusing on graphics and chipset drivers. To perform a clean installation, download the latest Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) from Microsoft's website and use Rufus to write it to external storage. Rufus allows bypassing certain Windows 11 requirements, such as Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, and can facilitate creating a local account instead of using a Microsoft account. Ensure updated BIOS installations are checked if applicable. After writing the installation media, boot from it by accessing the boot menu or adjusting the UEFI setup. During installation, delete existing partitions and select empty space to proceed. Finally, install drivers post-installation.

Winsage

February 16, 2026

Rufus developers blame Microsoft for blocking access to the latest Windows 11 ISOs — Windows Insiders met with an IP ban after attempting to download latest builds

Microsoft has implemented restrictions that prevent certain IP addresses from downloading the latest Insider ISOs for Windows 11, affecting users and third-party developers. Reports indicate that multiple users, including those using various ISPs and VPNs, are unable to access these downloads. The Rufus team has also confirmed difficulties with their software in installing the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview ISOs.

Winsage

January 22, 2026

Someone released the Windows 7 and Vista ISOs with all their updates applied

Unofficial ISOs for Windows 7 and Vista have been released, containing all updates applied through January 2026. The Windows 7 ISO includes essential drivers like USB 3.x and NVMe support, while the Vista version has updates but lacks additional drivers. Experts caution against using these unsupported operating systems on internet-connected devices, despite their appeal to users nostalgic for older Microsoft interfaces.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Puppy Linux vs. Linux Lite: Which distro is right for your old Windows 10 PC?

Puppy Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution with a footprint of 500 MB to 1.5 GB, capable of running entirely in RAM and allowing users to boot from a USB drive without altering their existing OS. It offers session persistence, comes pre-installed with essential applications, and supports various package managers. It is ideal for users prioritizing performance over aesthetics. Linux Lite is based on the latest Long Term Support release of Ubuntu and features a desktop layout similar to Windows, making it user-friendly for newcomers. It includes pre-installed applications like Chrome, LibreOffice, VLC, and GIMP, and utilizes the Xfce desktop environment for customization. It is optimized for speed and resource efficiency and facilitates a smooth transition from Windows. The choice between Puppy Linux and Linux Lite depends on individual needs: Puppy Linux is suited for those wanting a lightweight, portable solution, while Linux Lite is better for users seeking a traditional OS experience.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows 10’s demise fuels Linux hype again — but will Bazzite finally break the “forever up‑and‑comer” curse? There’s a chance.

Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows 10, leading to around 500 million PCs being eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, though many users remain on the unsupported platform. Zorin OS has gained approximately 780,000 users migrating from Windows within a month of this decision. Bazzite, a Linux-based gaming distribution, surpassed one petabyte of ISO downloads in a month, serving around 150,000 ISOs and attracting 730,000 visitors. Bazzite offers better hardware compatibility and pre-installed drivers for NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, making it a strong alternative to SteamOS. The improved compatibility of Windows games on Linux, aided by Valve's Proton, is contributing to the trend of users exploring alternatives to Windows.

Winsage

October 10, 2025

Microsoft Warns 300 Million Windows Users: Do Not Use This Software

The deadline for Windows 10 users to transition to Windows 11 or secure extended security updates is October 14, affecting over 500 million users. Currently, there are 1.4 billion Windows users worldwide, with 630 million (45%) upgraded to Windows 11, 490 million (35%) still on Windows 10, and nearly 300 million (20%) using the unsupported Windows 7. This increase in Windows 7 usage poses security risks as it was retired in 2020 and does not receive updates. Microsoft warns against using unsupported versions of Windows due to the lack of security patches.

Winsage

October 7, 2025

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 to require Microsoft account, Internet during OOBE (tested)

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of methods that allowed users to bypass the Microsoft account requirement during the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) setup for Windows 11. This change was confirmed in a blog post on October 6. In recent tests with Windows 11 Build 26120.6772, users are now required to sign in with a Microsoft account during the OOBE setup, as traditional workarounds have become ineffective. Commands like oobebypassnro and start ms-cxh:localonly no longer work, and attempts to use older methods resulted in a loop back to the login prompt. Microsoft believes that a device is not fully configured without a Microsoft account, stating that using a local account may lead to a suboptimal setup. Users can create a local account after reaching the desktop, removing the need for the Microsoft account in future sessions. The updated requirements are expected to be included in future Windows 11 ISOs within the next two to three months.

Winsage

September 30, 2025

Windows 11 KB5065789 24H2 out with AI in Explorer, direct download links (.msu)

Windows 11 KB5065789 has started rolling out for version 24H2, introducing enhancements such as AI actions in File Explorer and the ability to reposition hardware indicators for volume and brightness. This update is available through Windows Update and as an offline installer (.msu). It is an optional update within the September 2025 update cycle and will not install automatically. Users can expect all features and fixes to be included in the upcoming Windows 11 October 2025 Patch Tuesday on October 7. The update includes: - Build Number: 26100.6725 - Size: 3932.4 MB for x64-based and 3726.2 MB for arm64-based - Installation process took approximately five minutes with a download size of around 1.5GB via Windows Update. New features in Windows 11 Build 26100.6725 include: 1. AI-related features in the Click to Do context menu on Copilot+ PCs. 2. AI Actions for images in File Explorer, including Visual Search with Bing. 3. The ability to reposition on-screen hardware indicators. 4. A revamped “Advanced Settings” page for managing File Explorer features. 5. Improved performance in File Explorer, particularly in loading context menus. Additional enhancements include modernized dialog boxes, improved AI search capabilities, new options for sharing pinned apps, support for Braille Viewer in Narrator, and expanded access to passkey managers. Features may not be immediately available after installation due to a gradual rollout, which could take one to three weeks. There is a known issue with certain legacy Digital TV applications experiencing problems with DRM-protected content, but popular streaming services remain unaffected.

Winsage

September 22, 2025

Windows 11 Version 25H2 ISOs and eKBs Are Available

The initial stable release of Windows 11 version 25H2 is imminent, with users able to access the full ISO and enablement package (eKB) for upgrading from version 24H2. The eKB upgrades systems from build 26100.6584 (Windows 11 24H2) to build 26200.6584 (version 25H2). This new build is ahead of the Release Preview ISO released by Microsoft about ten days prior. A preview update for version 25H2 is expected on Tuesday, aligning with the Week D schedule, and a stable release is anticipated on Patch Tuesday, October 14th.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Here’s how I installed Windows 11 using a nano-sized 2.4GB ISO — final install weighed in at a mere 8.36GB, two-thirds the size of a normal Windows install, courtesy of Nano11 Builder

The author is transitioning to Windows 11 and is waiting to complete an IT request form. They are primarily a Linux and Raspberry Pi enthusiast but are interested in Windows 11 for video editing with DaVinci Resolve. The standard Microsoft Windows 11 ISO is 5,695,402KB (5.69GB), while the Tiny version is 10,865,098,752KB (10.1GB) and 59.1% smaller, and the Nano version is 8,984,236,032KB (8.36GB) and 66.2% smaller. The author used a VirtualBox virtual machine with 8GB of RAM and a Lenovo X220 for installations. The Nano and Tiny ISOs installed smoothly, while the full ISO faced issues despite meeting specifications. The Nano installation initially crashed at 75%, but after following a guide and reverting to an older setup process, it was successful. The author plans to submit the IT request form before October 14.