In the past Microsoft used to release either a major version of Windows or its Service Packs whenever they were available. But starting with Windows 10, they have adopted the Linux model of making the ISO images available for all the versions – even the smaller test versions. Keeping up with this new fashion of updates, Microsoft has now released the new version of Windows 10 Redstone 2.
The new version is build number 14986 and can be downloaded from the Microsoft servers starting from 22nd December 2016. You can download the ISO image and either burn it on a blank DVD or create a bootable USB installation disk using a tool like Rufus.
Even though it is still a test version and is available for the Windows Insider participants, but it is said that this build of Windows 10 is very close to the final release version that will be made public in March 2017.
You can install this new version on a fresh PC or use it to upgrade your existing Windows 10 installation. But in both cases, you will have to activate Windows using a valid license key like the one you got with Windows 10 PC.
In order to download the Windows 10 Redstone 2 build 14986 ISO image you can go to Microsoft’s web site and login using your Microsoft account credentials. Furthermore, your Microsoft account should also be associated with participation in the Windows Insider program.
You can click on Select Edition, choose the build 14986 and then pick one of the ISO images. There are many versions available – Enterprise, Education, Home Single Language and Home China edition. The version you choose must be same as the version for which you have Windows 10 license, you wouldn’t be able to activate it.
You can download Windows 10 Redstone 2 build 14986 from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewadvanced?wa=Dwsignin1.0