To download Windows 10, you can follow these steps:
- Go to the Microsoft Software Download site.
- On the site, you will have options to either upgrade your current device or create installation media.
- If you choose to create installation media, select the option to download the tool and follow the prompts to create a bootable USB or download an ISO file.
As for the cost, Windows 10 was offered as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 for a period of time after its release. However, this offer officially ended, and while it may still be possible to upgrade without a license, it is recommended to purchase a valid license to ensure compliance and receive updates.
References:
- Install Windows from a Flash Drive
- Upgrade Windows devices to Windows 10 or 11 Pro
How do I download windows 10
Where can I download Windows 10 installation media?
PSA: How to download a Windows 10 ISO, directly from Microsoft
WIN 10 HOME DOWNLOAD
Is Windows 10 the last version of Windows?
Is Windows 10 still free?
Is Windows 10 64-bit?
To download Windows 10, you can follow these steps:
- Go to the Microsoft Software Download site.
- On the site, you will have options to either upgrade your current device or create installation media.
- If you choose to create installation media, select the option to download the tool and follow the prompts to create a bootable USB or download an ISO file.
As for the cost, Windows 10 was offered as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 for a period of time after its release. However, this offer officially ended, and while it may still be possible to upgrade without a license, it is recommended to purchase a valid license to ensure compliance and receive updates.
References:
- Install Windows from a Flash Drive
- Upgrade Windows devices to Windows 10 or 11 Pro
Hi Martin,
Microsoft originally offered a free upgrade from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10, but that official offer ended. For a while, there was an unofficial path that still worked, but Microsoft has now closed that loophole. If your PC was previously activated with Windows 10, it will still activate automatically. Otherwise, you’ll need a valid license key.
Where to Download Windows 10
You can download Windows 10 safely from Microsoft’s official site:
Official link: Download Windows 10
Use the Media Creation Tool:
Click Download tool now.
Run the tool and select Create installation media USB flash drivefor another PC.
Choose your language, edition, and architecture.
Select ISO file or USB drive to create bootable media.
Happy to help!
Yes, downloading Windows 10 installation media directly from the official Microsoft website is safe and legitimate. Microsoft provides the Media Creation Tool or official ISO files through their website, ensuring that you receive genuine, unaltered software.
About using the ISO (like activation keys)
- You need a valid Windows 10 product key to activate Windows after installation unless your device already has a digital license linked to your account or hardware.
- If you're reinstalling on a device that was previously activated with Windows 10, it may activate automatically via digital license.
ISO Verification:
- Check the checksum (MD5/SHA-256) provided by Microsoft to verify the integrity of the ISO file.
- This helps ensure the file hasn't been tampered with or corrupted during download.
Below is the official link on the Microsoft website to download the Media Creation Tool which you can use to automatically create a bootable Windows 10 USB on an empty USB flash drive (minimum 8GB).
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
With regards to activation, it depends on where you got your Windows licence, if Windows 10 came pre-installed on your PC by the PC manufacturer, then there is an OEM licence stored on the motherboard and Windows 10 would activate automatically after it is installed, if your PC came with Windows 7 or 8 installed and you are upgrading to Windows 10 for the first time, you would need to purchase a new Windows 10 licence.
I posted this as a comment earlier, and kinda feel that it may warrant it's own PSA.
Downloading the ISO from MS is simple.
-
Go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10ISO
-
Press F12 (This opens the developer options of your browser)
-
Enable mobile device emulation (On Chrome, it's phone/tablet icon in the top-left of the dev tools pane)
-
Refresh the page.
What you'll see now is the option to select your Windows version and language, and it'll download the ISO.
To download Windows 10 Home and use an existing product key for activation:
- Go to the official Windows 10 download page: Download Windows 10.
- Download the Media Creation Tool from that page.
- Run the tool and choose either:
- Upgrade this PC now, or
- Create installation media (USB flash drive or ISO file) to install on another PC.
- Boot from the USB/DVD if doing a clean install and select Windows 10 Home when prompted.
- When asked for a product key during setup, enter the existing Windows 10 Home product key, or choose I don’t have a product key and enter it later in Settings.
- After installation, connect to the internet and go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation to confirm activation. If not yet activated, select Change product key and enter the Windows 10 Home key.
If Windows 10 Home was previously activated on this device with a digital license linked to a Microsoft account, activation may happen automatically once signed in and online.
References:
- Find your Windows product key
- Activate Windows
- Find and install your Microsoft downloads from Microsoft Store
Just to add to the previous answer.
If you are unsure about the process then read the section on the website previously posted. Use the Media Creation tool to create a boot USB flash drive.
See: Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC (click to show more or less information)