Ask a new question

How to download and create an Installation DVD or USB for Windows Insider build

Summary

Builds are available as a .ISO file download (see step #1 below)

Details

1) Use the link listed below download the appropriate .ISO file using the steps listed below.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso

In the the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page, scroll down to the "Select edition" option.

2) Start by selecting an edition where you will see the most current Insider ISO builds and editions listed for multiple languages in both 32 and 64Bit versions.

Note: "Select edition":

A list the most recent builds currently available in .ISO format will be displayed as shown in the screen shot example listed below.

As of 04/07/21 Build 21354 is available for Dev Channel and 19043 for the Beta and Release Preview Channels.

3) Confirm your selection.

4) Select your language preference.

Current list of languages

5) Confirm your language selection. Note: FAST ring is now the DEV channel !

6) Choose either the 32 or 64Bit .ISO download for the Build number you selected (Build 21354 in this example)

Activation

Product key: 

You will need to install the Windows 10 Insider Preview build on a device that has been previously activated with Windows 7/ 8.1 or with a Windows 10 product key. For more details please see the article: Activation in Windows 10. If you don't have a valid Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 installed, an alternative is to download the Windows 10 Enterprise 90 day trial,  (Use Disk Management to shrink your existing Windows 7 / 8.1 or 10 partition), and install Enterprise on the new partition or unallocated space, activate it, then join the Windows 10 Insider Program.

ISO file size (Properties) and Hash Code Value for build 21354:

Note: Both MS Edge and Google Chrome were used to validate that there was no difference

in either the file size or SHA1 Hash Code Value for the 64Bit English US version.

 English (United States)                                             File Size                                                  SHA1 Hash Code Value

Windows 10 Insider Preview (x64)   Build 20354 

ISO File size   (4,720,125,952 bytes)

7093472a1559349ab649a13ac756e3f5de3d936d

Windows 10 Insider Preview (x86)   Build 20354

ISO File size   (3,540,721,664 bytes)

1fe996ae3c074a3d8a330a7eba2af6b47fdb5ea3

  English (United Kingdom)

Windows 10 Insider Preview (x64)   Build 20354 

ISO File size   (4,920,174,592 bytes)

4640143675dab357835c5360fd9ecbff2771e472

Windows 10 Insider Preview (x86)   Build 20354 

ISO File size   (3,541,512,192 bytes)

7536d406a51049e9403bc00cc2c6d058cf7e05b7

7) After downloading the correct .iso file, install the HashCalc utiliy and validate the SHA1 hash value listed above is correct.

HashCalc: http://www.slavasoft.com/hashcalc/index.htm

(Note: If the download is not corrupt, the value HashCalc returns will match the SHA1 value listed above.)

a) Launch HashCalc and navigate to the location of the .iso file you downloaded.

(The default download location is: C:\Users\User account name\Downloads)

b) Remove all check marks from the list of HashCalc options except for SHA1.

c) Click the ‘Calculate’ button and wait for the SHA1 string of letters and numbers to be displayed.

Note: The hash value is not case sensitive as upper and lower case letters are considered the same.

8) Next use ImgBurn (or Gear ISO) to create a bootable DVD.

ImgBurn: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/imgburn.html

Note: When installing ImgBurn, choose the “Custom Installation (advanced)” option and remove the check mark(s) to eliminate unwanted options, including Optimizer Pro (I do not accept) which is not needed.

Burning ISO Images with ImgBurn article: http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/G/Burning+ISO+Images+with+ImgBurn

(The steps are the same for Windows 7, Windows 8 or 10), except you are not creating a Repair disc but a full installation DVD)

Note: Always use high quality DVD+R media and the slowest burn speed (4x or 6x) if offered a choice.

Note: Skip to step #4 to create a bootable Flash / Thumb drive.

9) For instructions on creating a bootable USB Flash drive to install Windows 7, 8 or 10:

Read: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Windows 10 specific instructions: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create-bootable-usb-flash-drive-install-windows-10-a.html

Or: http://arstechnica.com/business/2009/12/the-usb-flash-drive/

Optional software to create a Bootable Windows 7 or Windows 10 DVD

Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/977640

                 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15088/windows-10-create-installation-media

Rufus: https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Article Reference: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso

Other Forum Articles you may find useful:

Complete list of Dev Channel insider builds released on or after January 6th 2021, how to check what build is currently installed and best new featureComplete list of Beta Channel (21H1) insider builds released on and after February 17th 2021, how to check what build is currently installed and best new feature

Complete list of Dev Channel FE_RELEASE insider builds released on or after October 29th 2020, how to check what build is currently installed and latest fixes

Complete list of Beta Channel (20H2) insider builds released on and after June 16th 2020, how to check what build is currently installed and best new feature

Complete list of MN_RELEASE insider builds released on and after May 13th 2020, how to check what build is currently installed and best new feature

Complete list of Active Development Branch Insider builds released on and after December 16th 2019, how to check what build is currently installed and best new feature

Complete list of 19H2 Insider builds released on and after July 1st, 2019, how to check what build is currently installed and best new feature
Complete list of 19H1 Insider builds released after the October 2018 Update, how to check what build is currently installed and best new feature
Complete list of Redstone 5 Insider builds released after the April 2018 Update, how to check what build is currently installed and Best new feature
Complete list of Windows Insider builds released after the Fall Creators Update, how to check what your build is currently installed and Best new feature 
Windows 10 - What type of product key do I have?
How to extend the 30 day limit to go back to your previous version of Windows
How to dual boot Windows 10 and Windows 7

253 people found this helpful

Was this article helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this article?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this article?

Thanks for your feedback.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

Thanks for these links. For some reason, the ISO from the main website only gave me build 9841, which failed to check for any new preview builds.
-Windows OS

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Speed up when new builds are installed

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_tp-windows_install/speed-up-when-new-builds-are-installed/b715238f-4810-4795-8777-02d18f91439b

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Notice: The links have been updated to download Build 10041 .ISO files in all languages currently available !

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

When I attempted  to upgrade to the latest build 10074, I did a bootable flash drive install. The install was "successful" but after the final reboot all I get is a watchdog violation error. I made sure that I had updated all of my drivers prior to installing the newest build. do you have any recommendations on how I can avoid this watchdog violation error?

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

When I attempted  to upgrade to the latest build 10074, I did a bootable flash drive install. The install was "successful" but after the final reboot all I get is a watchdog violation error. I made sure that I had updated all of my drivers prior to installing the newest build. do you have any recommendations on how I can avoid this watchdog violation error?

I also get that error but I was already in Windows 10 and it updated itself to the latest build. Will I have reinstall everything again? 

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Disconnect the computer from the Internet and then try re-installing build 10074.  If the install is successful then connect to the Internet and run Windows Update to get the device drivers.

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Disconnect the computer from the Internet and then try re-installing build 10074.  If the install is successful then connect to the Internet and run Windows Update to get the device drivers.

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

So then should I boot from the Flash Drive that I have created for the Windows 10 Build 10074 while I am disconnected from the internet? I have also seen an article posted in regards to the Watchdog Violation error stating that is an issue with the Synaptics SMbus. Those articles have suggested rolling that driver back and then attempting to install the latest build from a USB flash drive or DVD.

Should I roll my driver back on this prior to installing build 10074? I didn't have the Watchdog Violation error until I installed Build 10061.

I appreciate any information that you can further assist me with before I take on the challenge of upgrading this weekend, as it is very time consuming to reinstall Windows 7 and then upgrade back to Windows 8.1.

Regards,

TysonV.

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Is there a reason you need to re-install Windows 7 and upgrade to Windows 8.1 before you install the Windows 10 Technical Preview?

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Is there a reason you need to re-install Windows 7 and upgrade to Windows 8.1 before you install the Windows 10 Technical Preview?

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

The Watchdog Violation will not allow me to do a rollback to Windows 8, it just keeps cycling and rebooting. so since I only have a disc for Windows 7 Ultimate I have to reboot and boot from the disc and then upgrade to Windows 8.

This time I am going to make sure I make a backup of the windows 8 system on a flash drive so if I have problems I can just boot to that or I will just made a CD.

But with Build 10074, should I do the driver rollback prior to upgrading to Build 10074 or just do the install with the internet disconnected and try from there?

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

You are aware that you don't need any prior version of Windows installed to e able to evaluate the Windows 10 Preview. Just take the DVD / Thumb drive you used to create the installation media a perform a "Custom" / Clean install.

Your other option is to create a Dual Boot system of Win 7 or 8.1 and Windows 10.

Just reboot to switch between the version of Windows you are currently using and the Windows 10 preview. It's the best way to compare the differences.

How to dual boot Windows 10 Preview with Windows 8.1 http://www.pagestart.com/win81dbwin10tp0112151.html

　

How to uninstall or remove Windows 10 from a Windows 8.1 dual boot computer http://www.pagestart.com/win81rmovwin100105151.html

　

How to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 10 Technical Preview http://www.pagestart.com/win7win10tpdb10121401.html

　

How to uninstall or remove Windows 10 from a Windows 7 dual boot computer http://www.pagestart.com/win7rmovewin100105151.html

　

　

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

 
 

Forum Article Info

Last updated July 22, 2021 Views 64,970 Applies to: