Download Windows 10

Before updating, please refer to the Windows release information status for known issues to confirm your device is not impacted.

Windows 10 October 2020 Update

The Update Assistant can help you update to the latest version of Windows 10. To get started, click Update now.

Create Windows 10 installation media

To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10. You can then download and run the media creation tool. For more information on how to use the tool, see the instructions below.

Here’s when to use these instructions:

• You have a license to install Windows 10 and are upgrading this PC from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
• You need to reinstall Windows 10 on a PC you’ve already successfully activated Windows 10.

If you are installing Windows 10 on a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, or if you need to create installation media to install Windows 10 on a different PC, see Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC section below.

Note: Before you install Windows 10, check to make sure your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 10. We also recommend going to the PC manufacturer’s website for any additional info about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.

1. Select Download tool, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
2. On the License terms page, if you accept the license terms, select Accept.
3. On the What do you want to do? page, select Upgrade this PC now, and then select Next.

After downloading and installing, the tool will walk you through how to set up Windows 10 on your PC. All Windows 10 editions are available when you select Windows 10, except for Enterprise edition. For more information on Enterprise edition, go to the Volume Licensing Service Center.

• If you don’t have a license to install Windows 10 and have not yet previously upgraded to it, you can purchase a copy here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-windows-10.
• If you previously upgraded to Windows 10 on this PC and you’re reinstalling it, you don’t need to enter a product key. Your copy of Windows 10 will automatically activate later using your digital license.

When Windows 10 is ready to install, you’ll see a recap of what you’ve chosen, and what will be kept through the upgrade. Select Change what to keep to set whether you would like to Keep personal files and apps, or Keep personal files only, or choose to keep Nothing during the upgrade.

Save and close any open apps and files you may be running, and when you’re ready, select Install.

It might take some time to install Windows 10, and your PC will restart a few times. Make sure you don’t turn off your PC.

Follow these steps to create installation media (USB flash drive or DVD) you can use to install a new copy of Windows 10, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows 10.

Before you download the tool 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.
• A blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space or blank DVD (and DVD burner) if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted.
• When burning a DVD from an ISO file, if you are told the disc image file is too large you will need to use Dual Layer (DL) DVD Media.

Check a few things on the PC where you want to install Windows 10:

• 64-bit or 32-bit processor (CPU). You’ll create either a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows 10. To check this on your PC, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for System type.
• System requirements. Make sure the PC meets the system requirements for Windows 10. We also recommend going to the PC manufacturer’s website for additional info about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
• Language in Windows. You’ll need to choose the same language when you install Windows 10. To see what language you’re currently using, go to Time and language in PC settings or Region in Control Panel.
• Edition of Windows. You should also choose the same edition of Windows. To check what edition you’re currently running, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for Windows edition. Windows 10 Enterprise isn’t available in the media creation tool. For more info, go to the Volume Licensing Service Center.
• Microsoft Office products. If you just purchased a new device that includes Office 365, we recommend redeeming (installing) Office before upgrading to Windows 10. To redeem your copy of Office, please see Download and install Office 365 Home, Personal, or University on your PC. For more information, check How to upgrade to Windows 10 on new devices that include Office 365.

If you have Office 2010 or earlier and choose to perform a clean install of Windows 10, you will need to locate your Office product key. For tips on locating your product key, check Find your Office 2010 product key or Enter the product key for your Office 2007 program.

Using the tool to create installation media:

1. Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
2. If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
3. On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10. This table will help you decide which edition of Windows 10 you’ll choose:

Your current edition of Windows	Windows 10 edition
Windows 7 Starter Windows 7 Home Basic Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 Ultimate Windows 8/8.1 Windows 8.1 with Bing Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Pro Windows 8/8.1 Professional with Media Center Windows 8/8.1 Single Language Windows 8 Single Language with Bing Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro	Windows 10
Windows 8/8.1 Chinese Language Edition Windows 8 Chinese Language Edition with Bing	Windows 10 Home China​

Select which media you want to use:

• USB flash drive. Attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.
• ISO file. Save an ISO file to your PC, which you can use to create a DVD. After the file is downloaded, you can go to location where the file is saved, or select Open DVD burner, and follow the instructions to burn the file to a DVD. For more info about using an ISO file, see Additional methods for using the ISO file to install Windows 10 section below.

After the installation media is created, follow the steps below to use it.

After completing the steps to install Windows 10, please check that you have all the necessary device drivers installed. To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and select Check for updates. You may also wish to visit your device manufacturer’s support site for any additional drivers that may be needed.

Note: Drivers for Surface devices may be found on the Download drivers and firmware for Surface page.

Before you install Windows 10, it’s a good idea to save any work and back up your PC before you start. If you used the media creation tool to download an ISO file for Windows 10, you’ll need to burn it to a DVD before following these steps.

1. Attach the USB flash drive or insert the DVD on the PC where you want to install Windows 10.
2. Restart your PC.

If your PC does not automatically boot to the USB or DVD media, you might have to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC’s BIOS or UEFI settings. To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you’ll typically need to press a key (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after you turn on your PC. For instructions on accessing the boot menu or changing the boot order for your PC, check the documentation that came with your PC or go to the manufacturer’s website. If you do not see the USB or DVD media device listed within the boot options, you may need to reach out to the PC manufacturer for instructions for temporarily disabling Secure Boot in your BIOS settings.

If changing the boot menu or order doesn’t work, and your PC immediately boots into the OS you want to replace, it is possible the PC had not fully shut down. To ensure the PC fully shuts down, select the power button on the sign-in screen or on the Start menu and select Shut down.

On the Install Windows page, select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, and then select Next.

Select Install Windows.

If you downloaded an ISO file for Windows 10, the file is saved locally at the location you selected. If you have a third-party DVD burning program installed on your computer that you prefer to use for creating the installation DVD, that program might open by going to the location where the file is saved and double-clicking the ISO file, or right-click the ISO file, select Open with and choose your preferred DVD burning software.

If you want to use the Windows Disk Image Burner to create an installation DVD, go to the location where the ISO file is saved. Right-click the ISO file and select Properties. On the General tab, click Change and select Windows Explorer for the program you would like to use to open ISO files and select Apply. Then right-click the ISO file and select Burn disc image.

If you want to install Windows 10 directly from the ISO file without using a DVD or flash drive, you can do so by mounting the ISO file. This will perform an upgrade of your current operating system to Windows 10.

Best free software for a new Windows 10 PC

• If you recently bought a new Windows PC, whether a desktop or laptop, it’s time to think about what programs you’ll install on it
• One of the most important pieces of software you need to consider is the antivirus, since you’ll need serious protection to prevent cyber-threats from harming your new PC
• If you plan on using your new PC as a multimedia center, you should install only the best multimedia software if you want to enjoy high-quality content
• Check our Windows 10 Apps section if you want to find out more

• Marvel
• Starwars
• National Geographic
• Pixar

If you reset Windows 10 to factory settings or if you perform a clean install, all your files and applications will be removed. This means that you have to install all your applications all over again.

Choosing the most suitable applications isn’t always easy, and today we’re going to show you some of the best free software for a new Windows 10.

What are the best must-have free software for a new Windows 10 PC?

UR Browser

One of the first apps to download on a computer is definitely a web browser. When it comes to browsing, it’s crucial to have a secure and reliable browser, and this is where UR Browser shines.

Here are the most notable features of this browser:

• Built on Chromium engine, so it’s quite similar to Chrome
• All your Chrome extensions will work on UR Browser
• Built-in scanner for downloaded files
• Phishing protection that will inform you about malicious websites
• Automatic redirection to encrypted websites
• 2048-bit RSA encryption for extra security
• Automatic blocking of third-party cookies and trackers
• Advanced private browsing
• Uses privacy-based search engines by default
• Built-in adblocker
• Built-in VPN for enhanced privacy
• Faster download thanks to the parallel downloading technology
• Ability to show news from reliable sources on your Homescreen

Chrome or Firefox

As previously mentioned, a web browser is a must-have software for Windows 10, and if you’re not a fan of UR Browser, you can use Chrome or Firefox.

Notable Chrome features:

• One of the most popular browsers in the world
• Optimized for multitasking
• Built-in password manager that creates unique passwords
• Over 150,000 available extensions to enhance your browser
• Autocomplete for your search queries
• Built-in translator
• Built-in adblocker for malicious ads
• Sync feature for multi-device experience

Notable Firefox features:

• Made with user-privacy in mind by a non-profit organization
• Ability to sync your passwords
• Private browsing
• Pocket integration
• Tracking protection that blocks cookies and ads
• Up to 44% faster loading speed
• Sync feature
• Extensive customization
• 30% less memory usage than other browsers
• Hundreds of available extensions

AVG AntiVirus Free

One of the essential applications that you need on a new PC is antivirus software, and if you’re looking for a free antivirus, AVG AntiVirus Free is just what you need.

Here are several features that this software offers:

• Real-time security updates
• Can detect performance issues
• Protection from malware, unsafe links, and email attachments
• Ability to block malicious downloads
• Simple to use interface

– Check now AVG’s offers on the official site

Mailbird Free

Email client might not be a must-have software for Windows 10, but many users prefer having a dedicated email client for their email needs.

If you’re looking for a free and email client with a sleek and friendly user interface, Mailbird is what you need. Here’s what Mailbird has to offer:

• Unified client for all your contacts and email accounts
• Extensive customization with dozens of color themes
• Friendly user interface
• Integration with popular services such as Dropbox, Evernote, Wunderlist, Google Calendar and many more
• Snooze option for emails
• Speed reader
• Attachment search

CCleaner

Your PC will get filled with various junk files over time, and this is why CCleaner is one of the best apps to download on the computer. This software will remove unwanted files from your PC and speed it up.

Regarding the features, here are a few notable ones:

• Ability to clean temporary files, cookies, and history from all your web browsers
• Can clean Recycle Bin, temporary files, log files, clipboard, DNS cache, and more
• Built-in registry cleaner feature that removes old or unsaved registry entries
• Ability to remove temporary and recent files for many third-party applications

– Download now CCleaner from the official site

VLC is another must-have software for Windows 10, especially if you play multimedia files frequently. Regarding the features, here’s what VLC has to offer:

• Ability to play multimedia from sources such as files, webcams, devices, streams, etc.
• Plays almost all file formats without the need to install additional codecs
• Available on all major desktop and mobile platforms
• Advanced control for video, subtitle synchronization, audio, and video filters
• Support for skins and extensions

Download manager

Download manager is a useful tool especially if you don’t have a fast or reliable Internet connection. Sometimes it can occur that your Internet connection drops, and that can make your downloaded file corrupted.

To prevent these types of problems, many people use download managers. These tools will often speed up your download, and they will allow you to resume it at any time.

Another useful feature of download managers is the ability to limit download speed.

By using this feature, you can ensure that you have enough bandwidth for other needs such as music or video streaming.

MusicBee or AIMP

In order to play and organize music, you’ll need specific software for that, and this is where MusicBee or AIMP might come in handy.

MusicBee most notable features:

• Amazing and simple to use interface
• Auto-tagging feature for your music library
• 10 and 15-band sound equalizer
• DPI effects
• WASAPI and ASIO support for maximum sound quality
• Gapless playback
• Ability to Upmix stereo to 5.1 surround sound or resample the track to lower bitrate
• Support for logarithmic volume scaling and normalizing volume streaming
• Support for Winamp plugins
• Synchronization with Android devices
• Support for Groove Music
• Low RAM usage

• Sleek and flexible user interface
• Support for various audio formats
• Support for DirectSound, ASIO, WASAPI, and WASAPI Exclusive
• Support for Internet radio
• Can capture streams in various audio formats
• 18-band equalizer
• Various effects such as reverb, flanger, pitch, voice remover, etc.
• Volume normalization
• Fade in and cross-mix support
• Music library
• Smart playlists
• Audio converter
• Tag editor that lets you apply changes to multiple files
• Scheduling feature

LibreOffice or OpenOffice

Microsoft Office is the most used office suite in the world, but it’s not available for free. If you don’t want to purchase Microsoft Office, you might want to consider a free alternative such as OpenOffice or LibreOffice.

Both suites come with basic apps such as Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math that should replace popular Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Both suites are completely free and they can be installed on different computers without any limitations.

If you need an office suite on your Windows 10 PC and you’re looking for a free Microsoft Office alternative, be sure to check OpenOffice or LibreOffice.