- Dec 10, 2019.
- There are two ways to get Windows 10. A short quiz will help you decide whether to buy Windows 10 to install on your current PC, or to buy a new Windows 10 PC.
Download Windows 10. Before updating, please refer to the Windows release information status for known issues to confirm your device is not impacted. Sep 11, 2020.
Update 7/31/2020: Windows 8.1 is long outdated, but technically supported through 2023. If you need to download an ISO to reinstall the full version of the operating system, you can download one from Microsoft here.
If you are still using Microsoft Windows 8.1, we recommend you at least begin considering what OS you will use in the future. It's mid-2020 and Win 8.1 will shuffle off the mortal coil in January 2023. You can still qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 if you own a valid Windows 8.1 license, despite the fact that Microsoft formally ended its upgrade program five years ago. Additionally, Windows 10 has the same system requirements as Windows 8.1, so if you can run the latter, you can also run the former.
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If you are somehow still stuck on Windows 8.0 and do not want to go to the hassle of a full OS swap, we recommend running Windows Update immediately and downloading all available patches for your system, including the Windows 8.1 update, which will likely be offered to you by default. If you want to download just the Windows 8.1 update files, you can do so here.
Original story below, from 2013:
Windows 8.1 has been released. If you're using Windows 8, upgrading to Windows 8.1 is both easy and free. If you're using another operating system (Windows 7, Windows XP, OS X), you can either buy a boxed version ($120 for normal, $200 for Windows 8.1 Pro), or opt for one of the free methods listed below. To download and install Windows 8.1 for free, follow the guide below.
How to download Windows 8.1 for free
If you don't want to wait for October 17 or 18, there are two options for downloading Windows 8.1: You can obtain a copy (and a license key) from a friend/colleague with an MSDN, TechNet, or DreamSpark (student) subscription, or you can download a Windows 8.1 RTM ISO from your favorite file-sharing website (The Pirate Bay, Mega, etc.)
Free Windows Download 10
While we're not going to write a guide on how to obtain Windows 8.1 RTM from non-official sources, we will at least tell you to check the SHA-1 hash of the ISO that you download to make sure that it's legitimate. If you hit up the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, and then click Details under the version that you've obtained from elsewhere, you'll find the SHA-1 hash. If you then use File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV) on the ISO, the hash should match. If it doesn't, assume the ISO has been compromised and download another. (But do make sure that you're checking the right SHA-1 hash on the MSDN website; your ISO might be mislabeled).
The other easier, and completely legal, option is to download the Windows 8.1 Preview from Microsoft. It's not as snappy as the final (RTM/GA) build, though, and has quite a few bugs/missing features. Bear in mind that if you go down this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8.1 will require a few more steps (discussed in the next section).
How to install Windows 8.1 for free
Once you have the Windows 8.1 ISO on your hard drive, the installation process is painless. Before you begin, you should consider backing up your important files and documents, but it's not really necessary. You should also ensure that you have plenty of free hard drive space (20GB+).
If you're already running Windows 8 and you downloaded the RTM ISO from somewhere other than the Windows Store, you can install Windows 8.1 by mounting the downloaded ISO in Explorer by double-clicking it, and then running the installer. If you're on Windows 7, XP, or (bless your soul) Vista, you'll need to burn the ISO to a USB thumb drive or DVD, or mount the ISO using a third-party virtual drive tool, like Magic ISO.
If you already have Windows 8, and you waited for the official release date, installing Windows 8.1 is as simple as visiting the Windows Store and downloading the free update.
In both these cases, the upgrade process should be very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If you upgrade from Windows 8.1 Preview, however, you will lose your installed apps, unless you first run a cversion.ini removal utility.
Once you've installed Windows 8.1, you should check out our extensive collection of Windows 8.1 tips and tricks, and be sure to check our Windows 8.1 review and hands-on impressions to ensure that you're making the most of all the new features.
Now Read:
Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. It has since been updated with new information.
Ever since Microsoft launched Windows 10, it's made the OS officially or unofficially available. Officially, you stopped being able to download or upgrade your system to Windows 10 on July 29, 2016. Unofficially, you can still download an upgrade license for the OS. And despite statements from Microsoft that it would absolutely-no-fooling-really-truly kill the Windows 10 free upgrade offer on December 31, 2017, that offer is still good.
Free Windows Download Manager
Microsoft's first giant push to convince customers to use Windows 10 was marred by an increasingly heavy hand as the campaign went on, to the point that it was both accused of malware tactics and later admitted to the same. We'll never know exactly how many people avoided the upgrade for this reason alone, but some readers have indicated they were disgusted by the company's behavior and refused to update.
Free Windows Download With Product Key
Click to enlarge
Without implying that Windows 7 or Windows 8 users have to change their mind on that, it's worth noting Windows 7 exits support by 2020, with Windows 8.1 out of long-term support in 2023. Windows 8 users have a little while, Windows 7 users have less. Microsoft also now locks out updates on Intel and AMD systems based on Kaby Lake, Ryzen, or Bristol Ridge, though there are some ways to bypass that block. Either way, Windows 10 may be a nice OS to have as an option, even if you don't immediately start using it.
Here's how you can still get a free copy of Windows 10 directly from Microsoft: Visit this webpage, attest that you use assistive technologies baked into Windows, and download the executable provided. It's that simple. Maybe it'll still vanish soon, maybe it won't, but we don't recommend waiting. Better safe than sorry and whatnot.
As for why Microsoft keeps threatening to pull the rug, I'm guessing the company has seen adoption rates from already running computers fall off over time. It's been over 2.5 years since Windows 10 launched, and MS was never going to leave this backdoor in its own policy open forever. If you haven't upgraded by now, I suppose Microsoft thinks you're never going to actually upgrade, and OEMs would probably be happier if MS shut down the option since it competes with their ability to offer Windows 10 as a new OS on their devices.
Original story below, from 2013:
Windows 8.1 has been released. If you're using Windows 8, upgrading to Windows 8.1 is both easy and free. If you're using another operating system (Windows 7, Windows XP, OS X), you can either buy a boxed version ($120 for normal, $200 for Windows 8.1 Pro), or opt for one of the free methods listed below. To download and install Windows 8.1 for free, follow the guide below.
How to download Windows 8.1 for free
If you don't want to wait for October 17 or 18, there are two options for downloading Windows 8.1: You can obtain a copy (and a license key) from a friend/colleague with an MSDN, TechNet, or DreamSpark (student) subscription, or you can download a Windows 8.1 RTM ISO from your favorite file-sharing website (The Pirate Bay, Mega, etc.)
Free Windows Download 10
While we're not going to write a guide on how to obtain Windows 8.1 RTM from non-official sources, we will at least tell you to check the SHA-1 hash of the ISO that you download to make sure that it's legitimate. If you hit up the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, and then click Details under the version that you've obtained from elsewhere, you'll find the SHA-1 hash. If you then use File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV) on the ISO, the hash should match. If it doesn't, assume the ISO has been compromised and download another. (But do make sure that you're checking the right SHA-1 hash on the MSDN website; your ISO might be mislabeled).
The other easier, and completely legal, option is to download the Windows 8.1 Preview from Microsoft. It's not as snappy as the final (RTM/GA) build, though, and has quite a few bugs/missing features. Bear in mind that if you go down this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8.1 will require a few more steps (discussed in the next section).
How to install Windows 8.1 for free
Once you have the Windows 8.1 ISO on your hard drive, the installation process is painless. Before you begin, you should consider backing up your important files and documents, but it's not really necessary. You should also ensure that you have plenty of free hard drive space (20GB+).
If you're already running Windows 8 and you downloaded the RTM ISO from somewhere other than the Windows Store, you can install Windows 8.1 by mounting the downloaded ISO in Explorer by double-clicking it, and then running the installer. If you're on Windows 7, XP, or (bless your soul) Vista, you'll need to burn the ISO to a USB thumb drive or DVD, or mount the ISO using a third-party virtual drive tool, like Magic ISO.
If you already have Windows 8, and you waited for the official release date, installing Windows 8.1 is as simple as visiting the Windows Store and downloading the free update.
In both these cases, the upgrade process should be very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If you upgrade from Windows 8.1 Preview, however, you will lose your installed apps, unless you first run a cversion.ini removal utility.
Once you've installed Windows 8.1, you should check out our extensive collection of Windows 8.1 tips and tricks, and be sure to check our Windows 8.1 review and hands-on impressions to ensure that you're making the most of all the new features.
Now Read:
Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. It has since been updated with new information.
Ever since Microsoft launched Windows 10, it's made the OS officially or unofficially available. Officially, you stopped being able to download or upgrade your system to Windows 10 on July 29, 2016. Unofficially, you can still download an upgrade license for the OS. And despite statements from Microsoft that it would absolutely-no-fooling-really-truly kill the Windows 10 free upgrade offer on December 31, 2017, that offer is still good.
Free Windows Download Manager
Microsoft's first giant push to convince customers to use Windows 10 was marred by an increasingly heavy hand as the campaign went on, to the point that it was both accused of malware tactics and later admitted to the same. We'll never know exactly how many people avoided the upgrade for this reason alone, but some readers have indicated they were disgusted by the company's behavior and refused to update.
Free Windows Download With Product Key
Click to enlarge
Without implying that Windows 7 or Windows 8 users have to change their mind on that, it's worth noting Windows 7 exits support by 2020, with Windows 8.1 out of long-term support in 2023. Windows 8 users have a little while, Windows 7 users have less. Microsoft also now locks out updates on Intel and AMD systems based on Kaby Lake, Ryzen, or Bristol Ridge, though there are some ways to bypass that block. Either way, Windows 10 may be a nice OS to have as an option, even if you don't immediately start using it.
Here's how you can still get a free copy of Windows 10 directly from Microsoft: Visit this webpage, attest that you use assistive technologies baked into Windows, and download the executable provided. It's that simple. Maybe it'll still vanish soon, maybe it won't, but we don't recommend waiting. Better safe than sorry and whatnot.
As for why Microsoft keeps threatening to pull the rug, I'm guessing the company has seen adoption rates from already running computers fall off over time. It's been over 2.5 years since Windows 10 launched, and MS was never going to leave this backdoor in its own policy open forever. If you haven't upgraded by now, I suppose Microsoft thinks you're never going to actually upgrade, and OEMs would probably be happier if MS shut down the option since it competes with their ability to offer Windows 10 as a new OS on their devices.
Microsoft has also plowed ahead with the idea of Windows-as-a-service, in a bid to convince customers that being upgraded to the latest and greatest is the best way to be. Closing this loophole at some point may be an attempt to shove customers towards new hardware as opposed to letting them upgrade existing installations — though again, I'm not sure the volume is high enough to matter either way.
Now read: Windows 10: The Best Hidden Features, Tips, and Tricks
