Download Windows 10

Posted December 2014 by Steve Sinchak

There are a number of ways to download Windows 10 from Microsoft including the full production release (build 10240), evaluation version, and free public testing called the technical preview for Windows Insiders. The technical preview is intended for consumers that want to try out the latest version of Windows and help shape the future of Windows. The enterprise edition is intended only for large businesses and focuses on security and management rather than consumer features.

Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro Disk Image (ISO)

Consumers can download Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro ISO files in all languages directly from Microsoft on the Microsoft Software Download page here. Start out by selecting the edition, which should be Windows 10 (unless you want the media handicapped versions: Windows 10 N and KN), and then hit the Confirm button. Now you will be asked to confirm the language you want use. Next, select the 32 or 64 bit version of Windows 10 and your download will begin. Keep in mind that unless you upgrade a computer running Windows 7 or Windows 8, you will be required to provide a product key to activate this version.

Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation Disk Image (ISO)

Enterprise users can find an evaluation version of Windows 10 in the Microsoft TechNet Evaluation Center. The evaluation version can be used for 90 days and cannot be converted into the full enterprise edition.

Windows 10 Education Edition Disk Image (ISO)

If you have purchased Windows 10 from a academic institution, you can download a copy of the Windows 10 installation media by visiting the academic download center.

Windows Insider Technical Preview edition of Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro

Access to the technical preview is granted as part of the new Windows Insider program aimed towards enthusiast consumer users. The build is distributed as ISO DVD images that can be burned to a DVD, copied to a USB drive or simply mounted and then installed. Once any build of Windows 10 is installed, upgrades to newer builds are easily performed from within the OS.

Microsoft Volume Licensing and MSDN Subscription Customers

Enterprise volume licensing and MSDN subscription customers can also download the full version of Windows 10, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise editions from the corresponding portal links below:

Volume Licensing Service Center

MSDN Subscription Downloads

Installing Windows 10

Once you have downloaded Windows 10, you can install it from Windows 8 by just mounting the ISO file (double click it in Explorer) and then run setup.exe. Windows 7 or older requires either burning the ISO file to a DVD or extracting the files and copying them to a Fat32 formatted USB drive. More details on how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB install drive can be found here.

Last Updated 7/31/2015

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