What Windows 10 Version Does The Media Creation Tool Download?

Installing Windows 10 is the easiest it’s ever been to install any version of Windows. Microsoft has made the OS available to everyone via the Media Creation tool. The tool can download Windows 10 and update the current PC, and it can create installation media. All you need is a license that goes with your version of Windows 10. Users who want to install Windows 10 using the Media Creation tool may wonder what Windows 10 version the tool will download.

Version vs Build vs Architecture

Before we explain what Windows 10 version the Media Creation tool downloads, there are three concepts that we need to explain. The word ‘version’ is used interchangeably to describe several different aspects of an operating system. People use it to refer to a version of Windows e.g. Windows 7 and Windows 10, the use it to refer to the build e.g. 1507 or Creators Update, and they use it to refer to the architecture i.e. 64-bit or 32-bit.

Versions

Windows 10 has two main versions or editions; Pro, and Home. Other editions include Windows 10 S and Windows 10 Education.

Builds

Windows 10 has several builds. Much like apps have versions e.g. v.1, v1.2, etc, Windows 10 has build numbers and a subset version number that corresponds with it. Microsoft uses the word version to describe it as well so it makes sense if users confuse the two.

The version is updated when a large feature update is rolled out to all users. Examples of Windows 10 versions are 1507 (the very first version), and version 1709 (the current version). Examples of the build are build number 10.0.10586 for when Windows 10 was first released, and build number 16299.125 the current build at the time of writing.

Architecture

Architecture has to do with your processor’s capabilities. This is a hardware property and your OS’s architecture must match it. All Windows versions support both the 32-bit and 64-bit architecture.

Media Creation Tool

The Media Creation tool can download any edition of Windows 10. When you install Windows 10 with a USB, it asks for a license or reads it automatically from your motherboard during installation. That is how it determines which edition it should install. The edition is determined by your license and the tool can install any of the four editions.

The Media Creation tool always downloads the latest stable version and build of Windows 10.

When you download Windows 10 to create installation media, it asks if you want to create the media for 32-bit, 64-bit, or both architectures. This is one of the few choices you have to make when using the tool and it’s always a good idea to download both architecture types if you’re creating installation media.

Build number

If you want to know the specific build number that the t00l will download, right-click the EXE and select Properties. Go to the Details tab and look at the File Version entry. The version number is basically the build number after the 10.0.1 bit. Google the build number to find out which update it is for i.e. Month/Year.

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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