Windows 10 is Microsoft's newest operating system, released on July 29, 2015.
One exception is the HeiDoc.net Windows ISO Downloader tool, which lets you get the official Windows 10 ISO download from Microsoft.The program doesn't come from Microsoft but it does grab the ISO directly from Microsoft's website (software-download.microsoft.com), so unlike a torrent site, it's most likely safe and can be a good alternative if Microsoft's tool (above) didn't work for you.
Unlike with previous versions of Windows, a legitimate copy of Windows 10 is available for download directly from Microsoft in ISO format.
On the Windows 10 download page, download the media creation tool by selecting Download tool now, then run the tool. In the tool, select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO) for another PC > Next. Select the language, architecture, and edition of Windows, you need and select Next. May 29, 2018 - Microsoft offers free ISO files for downloading; you just have to know. Download the Windows 10 or 8.1 ISO Using the Media Creation Tool.
Not only that, but the tool Microsoft provides for downloading Windows 10 lets you upgrade the computer you're on to Windows 10, prepare a flash drive with Windows 10 install files, or burn the Windows 10 setup files to a DVD disc.
Where Can I Download Windows 10?
There's only one completely legal and legitimate way to download Windows 10, and that's via Microsoft's official Windows 10 download page:
Visit the Windows 10 download page on Microsoft's website.
Select Download tool now.
Open MediaCreationTool<version>.exe when it's finished downloading.
The Media Creation Tool is very small, so it takes only a few seconds to download. However, you haven't downloaded Windows 10 just yet.
The Windows 10 installation wizard is pretty self-explanatory, so you should have no trouble deciding what to do next, but here's more help if you need it:
Download a Windows 10 ISO Image
You'll probably see a Getting a few things ready message when you first open the Windows 10 Setup program. When that screen clears, follow these steps in order:
Read through the license terms and then accept them with the Accept button.
Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and then select Next.
Choose the Language, Edition, and Architecture you want the ISO image for.
If you're going to be using Windows 10 on the same computer that's running Windows 10 Setup, you can use the default options that pertain to that specific computer. Otherwise, uncheck Use the recommended options for this PC, and then edit those options yourself.
For most users, Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro is the way to go for the Edition. The N editions are designed for some special European economic zones.
For Architecture, choosing Both is probably the smartest way to go so that you can install Windows 10 on both a 32-bit or a 64-bit computer.
Choose ISO file on the Choose which media to use screen, followed by Next.
Decide where to have the Windows 10 ISO image stored and then select Save to immediately start the download.
Once downloaded, you'll have a legal and full version of Windows 10 in ISO format. You can then burn that ISO image to a disc to install later or use it directly with your virtual machine software if you're going that route.
You could also burn that ISO image to a USB device, but doing that using the software's built-in tool (below) will be easier.
The free upgrade to Windows 10 (from Windows 8 or Windows 7) expired on July 29, 2016, and the free Windows 10 upgrade offer extension for users of assistive technologies ended December 31, 2017. So, you'll need to have a valid product key to install Windows 10.
Buying Windows 10 is the only way to get a valid product key. Windows 10 Pro is available directly from Microsoft but Amazon sells copies, too. Windows 10 Home is the same deal: direct from Microsoft or via Amazon are best.
Download Windows 10 to a Flash Drive
If you'd rather skip the ISO part of the Windows 10 download and get those Windows 10 installation bits right onto a flash drive, that's easy to do with Microsoft's tool as well.
Follow the directions above for the ISO image up to the Choose which media to use the screen, and this time, choose USB flash drive, followed by Next.
Choose a connected flash drive (that has more than 4 GB of storage) from the list on the next screen and then tap or click Next.
If there isn't a device listed, attach a flash drive and select Refresh drive list.
Be sure to select the correct flash drive if you have multiples plugged in. Installing Windows 10 on the removable drive will erase all the existing files on that device.
Wait while the download is completed and then follow the rest of the instructions.
This is much easier than doing the ISO to USB part yourself.
Don't Download Windows 10 From Another Website
Microsoft offers such an easy to use and legitimate source for Windows 10, so please don't download it elsewhere.
Yes, it might be tempting to download a hacked, 'free' version of Windows 10 that advertises no need for a product key, but with the joy of using a Windows 10 download like that comes the very real risk of getting something you weren't expecting.
Technically, you could probably find a clean, original copy of the Window 10 ISO from another website, such as a torrent site. However, even then, you still need a valid product key in order to use the operating system, so risking the download anywhere but directly from Microsoft probably isn't worth it.
One exception is the HeiDoc.net Windows ISO Downloader tool, which lets you get the official Windows 10 ISO download from Microsoft. The program doesn't come from Microsoft but it does grab the ISO directly from Microsoft's website (software-download.microsoft.com), so unlike a torrent site, it's most likely safe and can be a good alternative if Microsoft's tool (above) didn't work for you.
The HeiDoc.net method can also be helpful if you're interested in downloading an older version of Windows 10, such as a 2016 or 2017 version. You can pick any edition and language that you want.
Windows 10 Technical Preview
Prior to Windows 10's public release, it was available as a Technical Preview, which was completely free and didn't require that you own a previous version of Windows.
The Windows 10 Technical Preview program is over, meaning that you'll need to have a previous version of Windows already to get it for free, or you'll need to buy a new copy.
All Windows 10 Technical Preview installations used the product key of NKJFK-GPHP7-G8C3J-P6JXR-HQRJR, but this key is now blocked and will not be able to be used to activate Windows 10.
Once upon a time, if you wanted a Windows ISO file, you had just two options. Rip a CD you already had, or head to your friendly local torrent site.Now, there’s an easier solution.
Turns out Microsoft isn’t just offering Windows 10 as a free upgrade They’re also offering free ISO files of the operating system to anyone who wants them. With this file you can burn Windows 10 to a DVD, allowing you to install the operating system on multiple computers without the need to re-download it. You can also install Windows 10 directly from the ISO file, or write it to a bootable USB drive.
Windows 10 is a free upgrade on any computer running Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1, but that doesn’t mean it’s a quick download. At just over 3GB, Windows 10 could take a long time for users to download on slow Internet connections. If you’d prefer to download the ISO once and use that to install Windows 10 on other computers, here’s how to get that done.
Note that this isn’t a free license for Windows 10: just an ISO users who already have a license, or who are using Windows 7 or 8/8.1, can use to install a clean copy of the operating system.
Download the Windows 10 ISO legally from Microsoft on Windows
To get started, head to the Windows 10 download page. If you’re on a computer running Windows 7, 8, or 10 you will be offered the Windows 10 Download Tool.
This tool makes it easy to turn any USB key into a bootable Windows 10 installer, and also allows you to download the Windows 10 ISO file for future use.
When the tool is downloaded, run it. You will be asked whether you want to upgrade your current PC, or create installation media for another PC.
Select Create installation media for another PC, as shown above, and then click Next. You will be asked what form your installation medium should come in.
Select ISO file, then click Next. You will be asked where to save the ISO file.
Once the download is complete, you will have the ISO file on your computer’s hard drive.
Downloading the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft on Mac, Linux, and Windows Vista/XP computers
The Windows 10 Download Tool only works on computers running Windows 7, 8, or 10. If you’re not running one of those operating systems, you can still download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. Just head to the Windows 10 download page, and it will detect that you’re not running a compatible operating system.
From this page you can pick which version of Windows 10 to download, and you’ll be offered both the 32-bit and 64-bit ISO in the language of your choosing.
Install Windows 10 directly from the ISO from within Windows 7 or 8/8.1
If you’re running Windows 8, mounting an ISO file is easy. Just double-click it. Windows will display the ISO as though it is a DVD drive.
From here you can install Windows 10. Just open setup.exe and the installer will open. From here you can choose to install Windows 10 in place, leaving your files and programs. All necessary files will be copied from the ISO to your computer, which will eventually restart your PC in order to complete the installation process.
If you’re running Windows 7 or earlier, the capability to mount ISOs isn’t built into Windows, but you can download Virtual Clone Drive and use that to mount ISO files instead.
Once you’ve got the drive mounted, installation will work the same as outlined above.
Burn the Windows 10 ISO to a DVD
If your computer has a DVD burner, and you’ve got a writeable DVD on hand, you can burn the Windows 10 ISO to a DVD and install Windows 10 by booting from it. Simply right-click the ISO file, then click Burn disc image. The Windows Disc Image Burner will open, asking you which drive you’d like to use.
When ready, click Burn to start the process. When it’s complete, you’ll have a bootable DVD that you can use to install Windows from.
You can use other software to burn your ISO, but the built-in software is simple enough to use.
Most computers should boot from DVD by default, but in some cases you may need to access your computer’s boot menu to install Windows 10 from DVD. Annoyingly, doing this requires a different keyboard shortcut on different devices, but if you pay attention when your computer is starting up you should see instructions for accessing the boot menu.
Write the Windows 10 ISO to a bootable USB key
If you want to install Windows 10 from a USB key, using the Windows 10 Download Tool is the easiest method. But if you’ve already got the ISO on hand, you can still use it to create a bootable Windows 10 USB key. Just download the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool from CodePlex. This tool was created by Microsoft for creating Windows 7 USB keys, but still works with Windows 10 ISO files.
Just point it to your Windows 10 ISO, then point it to your USB key (at least 4GB or bigger). Be warned: this will completely overwrite your USB key, so be sure to back up any files you want to keep around.
Windows 10 Boot Cd Iso Download
You’ll need to boot your computer from USB in order to install Windows 10. Pay attention as your computer starts up and you should see a keystroke for entering the boot menu.
Windows 10 Recovery Cd Iso Download
Other uses for the Windows 10 ISO file
Windows 10 Iso Download Torrent
There are plenty of other uses for a Windows 10 ISO file. For example, you may want to install Windows 10 on your Mac, or set up Windows 10 in a virtual machine application. In either case, the ISO file is the prefered tool for installing Windows 10.
Windows 10 Pe Live Cd Iso Download
In any and all cases, you will need a valid Windows 10 product key in order to install Windows 10. On computers currently running Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 this isn’t a problem. You can upgrade in-place, and Windows 10 will detect your previous license. Failing that, you can use the product key on your device: just look for a sticker.
But the free ISO file isn’t a free Windows license. It’s just a more convenient way to install Windows 10. Mac users, custom PC builders, and anyone installing on a virtual machine are going to need a product key to legally install Windows 10. They can buy Windows 10 Home for $120.