The updated version of the Validation OS for Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 is now available

Microsoft released its latest update to the Validation OS ISOs. This update is made for developers and tech lovers. It uses the Windows 11 24H2 26100.1 build and has seen a notable rise in size from its prior iteration – it now occupies 890 MB compared to only 340 MB before.

But why did it become so big? Microsoft has included important folders such as SDK, GenImage, and ValidationOSImageBuilder in the ISO, which enhances its usefulness for developers.

For people who may not know, the Validation OS is a lightweight and customizable type of Windows 11. It’s made to find, reduce, and fix issues with hardware when making Windows devices. It starts in a command-line setting for better reliability. It supports Win32 apps to make going from initial hardware setup easier towards creating operating systems and applications for end-users. The ISO comes in x64 and ARM64 versions, covering various hardware spec requirements.

You may ask yourself, “What is different this time?” Microsoft has strengthened and expanded the ISO. By including SDK, GenImage, and ValidationOSImageBuilder folders, they have given developers and hardware vendors additional resources to test their devices before selling them.

This method is especially helpful for people beginning their journey into hardware creation. It facilitates the transition to complete production and software development stages.

But how do you obtain this updated ISO? It is quite simple. Microsoft has made the Validation OS ISO available to download from its official website. It provides detailed instructions for mounting, booting, and customizing the image.

There are references for Validation OS feature packages and hints about launching apps or commands when the OS initiates, which is very helpful in debugging and app-making.

You can find the latest version of the Microsoft Validation OS ISO here.