Microsoft offers free ISO files of the Windows 10 operating system to anyone who wants them. This can be particularly useful if you’re thinking of upgrading from Windows 7, or 8.1.
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.
Note that this isn’t a free license for Windows 10; i’s just an ISO for users who already have a Windows 10 license, or who are using Windows 7 or 8/8.1, to use to install a clean copy of the operating system.
Step 1 : Download the Windows 10 ISO legally from Microsoft on Windows
To get started, head to the Windows 10 download page and click the blue Download tool now button. If you’re on a computer running Windows 7, 8, or 10 you will be offered the Windows 10 Download Tool. If not, you can proceed to step 2 below.
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 to select the language, architecture, and edition of Windows that you want. It’s usually best to just check the box for Use this recommended option for this PC, but you can also customize and choose a different language of Windows edition, such as Windows 10 Pro or Home.
Next, if you’re looking to install Windows on your own PC, select the ISO file option. This will save a file that you can click later (as in step 3) to upgrade your PC to Windows 10. You also can use the ISO to burn Windows 10 to a DVD if you please, in which case, you can skip ahead to step 4.
Otherwise, if you want to create a USB Flash Drive, choose the USB Flash drive option. This will allow you to create a bootable USB drive that you can use to erase everything from your computer and go for what is known as a “Clean Install.” You also can use this USB drive on other computers to install Windows as well. With this option, you’ll just need to choose your USB Drive and have Windows 10 downloaded to it, but be warned, everything on the drive will be erased.
However, for most people, the ISO file is the safest method. When you Select ISO file, 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. You can continue to Step 3 for more.
Step 2: (Optional) 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. You can then copy the ISO file to a USB-stick and bring it over to a Windows laptop or desktop to proceed with the installation.
Step 3: Install Windows 10 directly from the ISO from within Windows 7 or 8/8.1
If you’re running Windows 8 or newer, you can upgrade your PC or laptop to Windows 10 by mounting the ISO file you just downloaded. 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, the installation will work the same as outlined above. You also can try the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant, if you’re looking to upgrade from Windows 10. We have a guide for that here.
Step 4: 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. 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.
Other uses for the Windows 10 ISO file
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 preferred tool for installing Windows 10.
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.