The Windows 10 media creation tool will also try to determine the best options for you based on the current PC hardware. In our case, we want to choose the latter option. 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.įirst, you choose whether you want to upgrade the current PC or create installation media for another PC.

Keep scrolling down and you’ll see a Download tool now button. Once the download is complete, the tool will begin installing the OS onto the USB drive or downloading the ISO file.įor 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. After that, the download will begin when you click Next. If you pick USB flash drive, you’ll be asked to insert one before you can start the download. Once you download the tool and run it, you’ll be asked the language, edition and architecture you want to download.Ĭlick 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. 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. Download & Install Windows 8.1įor Windows 8.1, you have to download the media creation tool. So if you are using a Windows 7 Home key, you’ll only be able to download Windows 7 Home. Note that the version of Windows 7 you get to download will depend on your product key. 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. You have to enter that once you start the setup process.įor Windows 7, however, you actually need to enter a product key before you can even download the ISO image file. For Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, you can download the ISO images without needing a product key. Now in order to download any of the latest operating systems, you have to visit the software download page here: Īcross the top, you’ll see Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. 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. 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.

Media creation tool windows 8