Get Windows 10

If you’re currently running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update, follow these instructions to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Before you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free, your current version of Windows must be activated with a genuine license. To make sure it’s activated, from Start, search for File Explorer and select it from the search results. Press-and-hold or right-click This PC and select Properties. Your Windows activation status is listed at the bottom.

Notes:

• If your current version of Windows isn’t activated, see this support article for more info.
• The media creation tool can’t be used to upgrade Enterprise editions of Windows. For more info, go to the Volume Licensing Service Center.

To upgrade to Windows 10:

1. Run the media creation tool.
2. If you're upgrading the device you downloaded the tool on, select Upgrade this PC now.
   -or-
   If you want to create media to upgrade a different device, select Create installation media for another PC.
3. Choose 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 need

   Windows version being upgraded	Windows 10 edition Note: If you have an N edition of Windows on your PC, choose the N equivalent of Windows 10 for creating installation media.
   Windows 7 Starter Windows 7 Home Basic Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 8/8.1 Windows 8.1 with Bing Windows 10 Home	Windows 10 Home
   Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 Ultimate Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Pro Windows 8/8.1 Professional with Media Center Windows 10 Pro	Windows 10 Pro
   Windows 8/8.1 Single Language Windows 8 Single Language with Bing	Windows 10 Home Single Language
   Windows 8/8.1 Chinese Language Edition Windows 8 Chinese Language Edition with Bing	Windows 10 Home China

4. If you chose Upgrade this PC, follow the steps in the tool to finish the upgrade to Windows 10.

   If you chose to create media, follow the steps to create the media. After the media is created, select Finish, and then follow one of these instructions:

   • If you’re using a USB flash drive or a DVD, insert it into the device you want to upgrade and then run setup.exe.

     Once the upgrade starts, remove the USB flash drive or DVD before the first time the installation restarts your device. If you don’t, the device will boot from the media again and will restart the whole installation process.

   • If you created an ISO file, move the ISO file to that device, mount it, and then run setup.exe.
5. Follow the instructions to finish upgrading to Windows 10.

Follow these instructions to perform a clean installation of Windows 10. If you want to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, follow the instructions in the Upgrade to Windows 10 using the tool section. If you haven’t upgraded to Windows 10 yet and perform a clean installation, you’ll need to enter a qualifying product key for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 or buy a license in order to activate Windows 10. Click here for information on qualified editions.

1. Run the media creation tool.
2. Select Create installation media for another PC.
3. Choose the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10.
4. Follow the steps to create the installation media, and then select Finish when it’s done.
5. When you’re ready to perform a clean installation, turn on your PC, insert the DVD or USB flash drive you created, and then shut down your PC.

6. Restart your PC, and then press any key to boot from the DVD or USB flash drive.

   If you restart your PC and your current version of Windows starts, you might have to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC's BIOS or UEFI settings so that your PC boots from the media. To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you'll typically need to press a combination of keys (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after you turn on your PC. For instructions on changing the boot order for your PC, check the documentation that came with your PC or go to the manufacturer's website.

   If changing the boot menu or order doesn't work, try again by signing in to Windows, shutting down, and then starting your PC.

7. On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next.
8. Select Install Windows.

9. On the Enter the product key to activate Windows page, enter your product key. The product key should be in a purchase confirmation email if you bought Windows 10. It looks like this: PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.

   Note

   If you’ve already successful activated Windows 10 on this PC, including if you upgraded by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer you won't need to enter a Windows 10 product key. You can skip the product key page by selecting the Skip button. Your PC will automatically activate later.
10. On the License terms page, if you accept the license terms, select I accept the license terms, and then select Next.
11. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, select Custom.
12. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select the partition that you want, select the formatting option you want to perform (if needed), and then follow the instructions.
13. When you've finished formatting, select Next.
14. Follow the rest of the setup instructions to finish installing Windows.