Microsoft updated Windows 11 Media Creation Tool!

Microsoft quietly updated its official Media Creation Tool in January 2026. While the version number of the application itself remained the same, the tool now downloads a much newer version of Windows 11. For users planning a fresh install of the operating system, this means less waiting for updates right after the first boot.

Photo: Lenovo

The latest update to the Media Creation Tool comes just a month after the December update and includes all the fixes from the so-called “Patch Tuesday” of January 2026. The new tool downloads Windows 11 with build number 26200.7623 (including the KB5074109 patch). The main advantage of this update is that the latest security patches and stability improvements are already integrated into the installation image (ISO), which saves the user from having to restart the computer multiple times after the installation is complete.

The Media Creation Tool remains a key free tool for anyone looking to create a bootable USB drive or download an ISO file for later use in tools like Rufus. The latter is especially useful for those looking to install Windows 11 on older computers that are not officially supported. Despite the fresh fixes, Microsoft is warning about some known bugs in the January version; some users are reporting issues with Remote Desktop and occasional problems with completely shutting down or hibernating their computers.

For those who don't want to use a dedicated application, Microsoft continues to offer a direct download of the ISO file on its website. Since the files are quite large - the installation package weighs in at around 6 GB to 7 GB - a stable broadband connection is recommended for the download. In 2026, Microsoft is optimizing the user experience and relieving its Windows Update servers by using these regular updates to the MCT (Media Creation Tool) as users log in with their software already up-to-date.