If you have a valid Windows product key, you can download full legal copies of Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 from Microsoft and use them to reformat your computer or to setup a new computer.
What’s even better is that you can now use a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 product key to install Windows 10 on a machine too. So if you have a Windows 7 or 8.1 PC and you want to perform a clean install, you can now download the Windows 10 ISO image and use your current product key to activate Windows 10 after it is installed.
Windows 10 is Microsoft's latest Operating System which is still in Technical Preview phase at the time of this writing. Windows 10 comes with a lot of new. Activating Windows 10, or not. As mentioned earlier, you do not need a product key to download Windows 10, nor do you need a product key or to activate Windows 10 just to install and use the OS, during the install process you can postpone product key entry and do it later. Download latest Windows 10 ISO files If the other methods to upgrade to the latest Windows 10 build fail, you can use this Windows 10 ISO to fresh-install, reinstall or upgrade.
The only restriction that Microsoft is still maintaining is that you must install Windows 10 on the same PC where Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 were installed. However, even with this restriction, it’s a big change for Microsoft and great for consumers.
In this article, I’ll talk about how you can download a legal ISO image from Microsoft for the latest versions of Windows and create a bootable USB flash drive so that you can install the OS on your PC.
Download Windows 10, 8, 7 ISO Images
Previously, you used to be able to download ISO image files for Windows from a partner company called DigitalRiver, but Microsoft removed that option about a year or so back.
Now in order to download any of the latest operating systems, you have to visit the software download page here:
Across the top, you’ll see Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. For Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, you can download the ISO images without needing a product key. You have to enter that once you start the setup process.
Download Windows 7
For Windows 7, however, you actually need to enter a product key before you can even download the ISO image file.
Once you type in a valid product key, you’ll choose the language and whether you want to download the 32-bit or 64-bit version. Note that the version of Windows 7 you get to download will depend on your product key. So if you are using a Windows 7 Home key, you’ll only be able to download Windows 7 Home.
Download & Install Windows 8.1
For Windows 8.1, you have to download the media creation tool. What’s nice about the media creation tool is that you can use it to download Windows 8.1 and install it directly to a USB flash drive or burn it to a DVD.
Once you download the tool and run it, you’ll be asked the language, edition and architecture you want to download.
Click Next and you’ll have the option to save the file directly to a USB flash drive or download the ISO and burn it to a DVD.
If you pick USB flash drive, you’ll be asked to insert one before you can start the download. After that, the download will begin when you click Next.
Once the download is complete, the tool will begin installing the OS onto the USB drive or downloading the ISO file.
Download & Install Window 10
For Windows 10, you’ll see a button at the top called Upgrade now, which will try to upgrade your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 install to Windows 10. Keep scrolling down and you’ll see a Download tool now button.
Windows 10 also comes with a media creation tool, which does the same thing as the Windows 8.1 tool, but has an extra option at the very beginning.
First, you choose whether you want to upgrade the current PC or create installation media for another PC. In our case, we want to choose the latter option.
The Windows 10 media creation tool will also try to determine the best options for you based on the current PC hardware. You can uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC box if you want to pick something different.
You can choose from USB flash drive or ISO file using this tool. As with the Windows 8 tool, you’ll have to burn the ISO image yourself to a DVD if you pick that option.
If you pick flash drive, you’ll just need to make sure you have one already connected to your computer before you click Next.
USB Creation Tool for Windows 7
If you’re downloading Windows 8 or Windows 10 as an ISO file, you probably want to burn them to a DVD. For Windows 7, you only get the option to download the ISO file (no media creation tool), so you might want to burn it to a DVD or make a bootable USB flash drive.
Luckily, Microsoft has another free tool called the USB/DVD Download Tool that will take the ISO and install it onto a USB flash drive or burn it to a DVD. Note that this tool is called Windows 7 USB/DVD tool, but it works with the Windows 10 and Windows 8 ISO image files also.
Once you download and install it, you’ll simply go through a four step process. First, you pick your Windows ISO image file like shown below.
Next, you choose whether you want to use a USB device or a DVD for your Windows installation media.
Make sure to insert your USB device or DVD and then click the Begin copying or Begin burning button to start the process.
You’ll get a popup message stating that the USB device must be erased in order to continue. Go ahead and click Erase USB Device. The program will format the USB device and then begin the installation.
Once completed, you will have a bootable Windows USB device or DVD disc. Once you have created your media, you simply need to plug it into your computer and restart.
Most computers will try to boot from DVD or USB first, so the installation should come up automatically. However, if not, you will have to enter the BIOS and change the boot order manually. If you have any questions, feel free to post a comment. Enjoy!
How to Download Official Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft
If you need to install or reinstall Windows 10, you can use the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to download a Windows 10 ISO file that you can use to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or DVD/Blu-ray.
This tool provides the best download experience for customers running Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.
This tutorial will show you how to download an official Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft directly or by using the Media Creation Tool.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to run the Media Creation Tool.
Windows 10 System Requirements
If you would like to download a 90-day evaluation of Windows 10 Enterprise, then:
- Windows 10 Enterprise ISO download:Windows 10 Enterprise | TechNet Evaluation Center
- Windows 10 Enterprise FAQs:Windows 10 IT Pro FAQ - App Compat, Installation, Virtualization
- See also: Volume Licensing Service Center.
- Option One: To Download Windows 10 Home or Pro ISO using Media Creation Tool
- Option Two: To Download Windows 10 Education ISO using Media Creation Tool
- Option Three: To Directly Download Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft
- Option Four: To Directly Download Windows 10 Insider Preview ISO from Microsoft
An ISO file from the Media Creation Tool (MCT) uses sourcesinstall.esd which is a compressed version of install.wim, but can still be used as a source image for DISM.
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
- Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.
1. Click/tap on the Download button below, and click/tap on the Download tool now button at Microsoft's site. (see screenshot below)
2. Save the MediaCreationTool1903.exe file (version 10.0.18362.1) to your desktop, and run it.
3. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.
4. Click/tap on Accept for the license terms. (see screenshot below)
5. Select (dot) Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
6. Uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC box. (see screenshot below)
Leaving the Use the recommended options for this PC box checked will have the Media Creation Tool download an ISO that's the same language, edition, and architecture as the current PC.
7. Select the Language, Edition, and 32-bit (x86), 64-bit (x64), or both (32-bit and 64-bit in same ISO) Architecture you want for the ISO file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
The Windows 10 option includes both the Home and Pro editions. The product key you enter during installation (Windows Setup) is what determines which edition gets installed.
If you select both for the Architecture, you will need to use at least an 8 GB USB flash drive if creating Windows 10 USB installation media with the ISO.
Your digital entitlement or product key determines if Home or Pro gets installed during Windows Setup.
If you skip entering a product key during Windows Setup, then you will be prompted to select to install the Home or Pro edition.
8. Select (dot) ISO file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
9. Select where you would like to save the ISO file to, type in a name you want for the ISO file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)
10. The Windows 10 ISO file will now begin to download. (see screenshot below)
11. When the download has finished, select where you selected to save the ISO file at, and click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)
An ISO file from the Media Creation Tool (MCT) uses sourcesinstall.esd which is a compressed version of install.wim, but cannot be used as a source image for DISM.
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- Your Windows product key (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx).
- An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
- Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.
1. Click/tap on the Download button below, and click/tap on the Download tool now button at Microsoft's site. (see screenshot below)
2.
Windows 10 Os Download Iso 32 Bit
Save the MediaCreationTool1903.exe file (version 10.0.18362.1) to your desktop, and run it.3. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.
4. Click/tap on Accept for the license terms. (see screenshot below)
5. Enter the product key for your Windows 10 Education, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
6. Select (dot) ISO file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
7. Select where you would like to save the ISO file to, type in a name you want for the ISO file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)
8. The Windows 10 Education ISO file will now begin to download. (see screenshot below)
9.
Win 10 Os Iso Download Software
When the download has finished, select where you selected to save the ISO file at, and click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Go to: Download Windows 10
3. Press F12 to open Developer Tools, or open the 'Settings and more' menu and click/tap on F12 Developer Tools. (see screenshot below)4. Click/tap on the Undock (Ctrl+P) button in Developer Tools. (see screenshot below)
5. Click/tap on the Emulation tab in the undocked Developer Tools, select either Apple Safari (iPad) or Micosoft Edge - Windows 10 Mobile in the User agent string drop menu. (see screenshot below)
6. Select the Windows 10 edition you want to download, and click/tap on Confirm. (see screenshot below)
7. Select the language you want for Windows 10, and click/tap on Confirm. (see screenshot below)
8. Click/tap on the 32-bit Download or 64-bit Download button to download the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10 ISO file you want. (see screenshot below)
9. Click/tap on Save to start downloading the Windows 10 ISO file. (see screenshots below)
10. When the Windows 10 ISO file has finished downloading, you can click/tap on View downloads to find it. (see screenshot below)
Windows 10 Download Iso
(Ctrl+P) button in Developer Tools. (see screenshot below)12. You can now close Microsoft Edge if you like.
Flight Hub is a 'dashboard' for Windows Insiders to quickly identify the latest Insider Preview releases for PC, Server, IoT, and SDKs as well as ISO images.
How to Get Windows Insider Fast Ring ISO image for latest build
1. Click/tap on the Download button below to go to the Microsoft site below, select the ISO you want, and click/tap on Confirm. (see screenshot below).
(Client Insider Preview)
OR
(Advanced Options for more Insider Preview editions and builds to select from)
That's it,
Shawn