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Microsoft has started pushing out the latest Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903) via Windows Update service for users running earlier versions of Windows 10.
If you cannot wait to get the latest build of Windows 10 or if you want to reinstall Windows 10 for some reason, you can download the latest version of Windows 10 from Microsoft with ease.
Those of you who have upgraded to Windows 10 might want to perform a clean install of Windows 10 from USB drive. If you are one of those users who want to perform a clean install or reinstall of Windows 10, you will be glad to know that you can now legally download Windows 10 ISO for free right from Microsoft.
One can now download Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Home N, Windows 10 Home Single Language, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Pro N ISO files from Microsoft without entering a product key.
Using this method, you can download the latest version of Windows 10 ISO directly from Microsoft without having to enter the product key.
In order to download the full version Windows 10 ISO for free, you need to complete the following steps.
Download Windows 10 ISO without entering the product key
Step 1: Visit this page of Microsoft and download Media Creation Tool. As you can see in the below picture, Media Creation Tool is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Check your version of Windows and then download the right version of Media Creation Tool.
Step 2: Run Media Creation Tool as an administrator. To do so, right-click on Media Creation Tool, and then click Run as administrator option.
Step 3: On the home screen, select the second option titled Create installation media for another PC, and then click the Next button.
Step 4: Here, select the language, your edition of Windows 10 and then select the architecture (32 or 64-bit). If you’re not sure, select Both option to download the Windows 10 ISO (containing both 32-bit and 64-bit) but note that the ISO file size will be larger than the normal one.
Click the Next button.
Step 5: On “Choose which media to use” screen, select the second option titled ISO file, and then click the Next button.
If you want to create a bootable USB of Windows 10 instead, select the first option titled USB flash drive and then select the same. Note that all files on the USB drive will be deleted during the preparation of bootable USB.
Step 6: You will be asked to choose a location to save the ISO image file. Select a location and then click the Save button to begin downloading your Windows 10 ISO image file.
After downloading the ISO image, the Media Creation tool automatically verifies if the downloaded Windows 10 ISO has any issues. Once the verification is done, you will see the following screen. Click Finish button to exit.
Once the ISO image file is ready, you can use our how to install Windows 10 from USB or how to create a Windows 10 bootable DVD to prepare the bootable media.
Note that you will not need to enter a product key if you are performing a clean install or reinstall of Windows 10 after upgrading your current PC from the genuine Windows 7 to Windows 10. However, you will need a genuine product key when you are installing Windows 10 on a new PC.
Activation is a protection mechanism implemented in Windows 10 and earlier versions against piracy. It first appeared in Windows XP and exists with different changes and improvements in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. When activation is successful, usually it indicates that your copy of Windows is genuine. There may be times when you need to deactivate your copy of Windows 10 in order to transfer your license to another PC. Here is how you can deactivate your copy of Windows 10.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and optimize system performance
Activation verifies that your copy of Windows is not used on more devices than the license allows. If you are about to sell or give away your PC but want to keep Windows 10 installed there, it is a good idea to deactivate it. Deactivation is also useful if you want to use your product key on some other PC and stop using it on the current PC.Swiftec tuning software download. In this article, we will see how to deactivate Windows 10 by uninstalling the product key. Additionally, we will see how to install another product key instead.
To deactivate Windows 10 by uninstalling the product key, you need to do the following:
- Open an elevated command prompt.
- Type or paste the following command:
- Wait till the command finishes its work. At the end, you will see the following message:
Windows 10 will become deactivated. You can visit the Settings app and check out the 'Activation' page and check the activation state. It will look like this:
After you deactivate Windows 10, you might be interested in clearing the product key from the Registry so it cannot be viewed with special apps and scripts.
Please keep in mind that if you reach the online activation limit, e.g. by activating many PCs with the same key, you may have to activate your copy of Windows by phone since the online activation will fail.
To install a new product key, you need to type the following command in the elevated command prompt:
We have a nice article which covers this process in detail: How to change Windows 10 product key.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and optimize system performance
Windows 10 has twelve editions, all with varying feature sets, use cases, or intended devices. Certain editions are distributed only on devices directly from a device manufacturer, while editions such as Enterprise and Education are only available through volume licensing channels. Microsoft also makes editions of Windows 10 available to device manufacturers for use on specific classes of devices, including smartphones (Windows 10 Mobile) and IoT devices.
Part of a series on |
Windows 10 |
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Related |
- 7Upgrade path
Baseline editions[edit]
Baseline editions are the only editions available as standalone purchases in the retail outlets.
- Home
- Windows 10 Home is designed for use in PCs, tablets and 2-in-1 PCs. It includes all features directed at consumers.[1][2][3]
- Pro
- Windows 10 Pro includes all features of Windows 10 Home, with additional capabilities that are oriented towards business environments, such as Active Directory,Remote Desktop, BitLocker, Hyper-V, and Windows Defender Device Guard.[1][2][3]
- Pro for Workstations
- Windows 10 Pro for Workstations is designed for high-end hardware for intensive computing tasks and supports Intel Xeon, AMD Opteron and the latest AMD Epyc processors; up to four CPUs; up to 6 TB RAM; the ReFS file system; Non-Volatile Dual In-line Memory Module (NVDIMM); and remote direct memory access (RDMA).[4][5][6]
Organizational editions[edit]
These editions add features to facilitate centralized control of many installations of the OS within an organization. The main avenue of acquiring them is a volume licensing contract with Microsoft.
- S
- Windows 10 S is a feature-limited edition of Windows 10 designed primarily for low-end devices in the education market. It has a faster initial setup and login process, and allows devices to be provisioned using a USB drive with the 'Set Up School PCs' app. Windows 10 S only allows the installation of software (both Universal Windows Platform and Windows API apps) from Microsoft Store, although command line programs or shells (even from Microsoft Store) are not allowed.[7][8] System settings are locked to allow only Microsoft Edge as the default web browser with Bing as its search engine.[9] The operating system may be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro for a fee, to enable unrestricted software installation.[10][11] All Windows 10 S devices include a free one-year subscription to Minecraft: Education Edition. Critics have compared the edition to Windows RT, and have considered it to be a competitor to Chrome OS.[10][12][13][14][15]
- In March 2018, Microsoft announced that it would be phasing out Windows 10 S, citing confusion among manufacturers and end-users. Microsoft stated that it would replace this edition with the ability for vendors to ship their Windows 10 Home or Pro devices in 'S Mode', wherein Windows defaults to only allowing applications to be installed from Microsoft Store. S Mode does not require payment in order to disable these restrictions.[16][17]
- Education
- Windows 10 Education is distributed through Academic Volume Licensing. It was built off of Windows 10 Enterprise and initially reported to have the same feature set.[1][2][3] As of version 1709, however, this edition has fewer features. See § Comparison chart for details.
- Pro Education
- This edition was introduced in July 2016 for hardware partners on new devices purchased with the discounted K–12 academic license. It was built off of the Pro edition of Windows 10 and contains the mostly same features as Windows 10 Pro with different options disabled by default, and adds options for setup and deployment in an education environment. It also features a 'Set Up School PCs' app that allows provisioning of settings using a USB flash drive, and does not include Cortana, Microsoft Store suggestions, or Windows Spotlight.[18][19][20]
- Enterprise
- Windows 10 Enterprise provides all the features of Windows 10 Pro, with additional features to assist with IT-based organizations.[1][2][3] Windows 10 Enterprise is configurable on three branches, Semi-Annual Channel, Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted), and Windows Insider.[21]
- Enterprise LTSC
- Enterprise LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a long-term support version of Windows 10 Enterprise released every 2 to 3 years. Each release is supported with security updates for 10 years after its release, and intentionally receive no feature updates. Some features, including the Microsoft Store and bundled apps, are not included in this edition.[22][1][3] This edition was first released as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (Long-Term Servicing Branch).[23] There are currently 3 releases of LTSC: one in 2015 (version 1507), one in 2016 (version 1607) and one in 2018 (version 1809).[24]
Device-specific editions[edit]
These editions are licensed to device manufacturers only. The main avenue of purchasing these editions is through buying specific devices (e.g. smartphones) that have them pre-installed.
- IoT
- Designed specifically for use in small footprint, low-cost devices and IoT scenarios. It is a rebranded version of Microsoft's earlier embedded operating systems, Windows Embedded. Three editions are already announced: IoT Core, IoT Enterprise, and IoT Mobile Enterprise.[25][26][27]
- Team
- Windows 10 Team is a device-specific version of Windows 10 loaded onto the Surface Hub.[28]
Discontinued editions[edit]
The following editions of Windows 10 are discontinued, i.e. were not part of Windows 10 version 1803. (For both Mobile and Mobile Enterprise, Microsoft confirmed it was exiting the Consumer Mobile Devices Market, so no successor product is available.[29])
- Mobile
- Windows 10 Mobile is designed for smartphones and small tablets. It includes all basic consumer features, including Continuum capability. It is the de facto successor of Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows RT.[1][2]
- Mobile Enterprise
- Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise provides all the features in Windows 10 Mobile, with additional features to assist IT-based organizations, in a manner similar to Windows 10 Enterprise, but optimized for mobile devices.[1][2]
Variations[edit]
As with previous versions of Windows since XP, all Windows 10 editions for PC hardware have 'N' and 'KN' variations in Europe and South Korea that exclude certain bundled multimedia functionality, including media players and related components, in order to comply with antitrust rulings. The 'Media Feature Pack' can be installed to restore these features.[30]
As with Windows 8.1, a reduced-price 'Windows 10 with Bing' SKU is available to OEMs; it is subsidized by having Microsoft's Bing search engine set as default, which cannot be changed to a different search engine by OEMs. It is intended primarily for low-cost devices, and is otherwise identical to Windows 10 Home.[31]
In May 2017, it was reported that Microsoft had, as part of its partnership with China Electronics Technology Group, created a specially-modified version of Windows 10 Enterprise designed for use within branches of the Chinese government. This version is pre-configured to 'remove features that are not needed by Chinese government employees', and allow the use of its internal encryption algorithms.[32][33]
Comparison chart[edit]
Item | Meaning |
---|---|
Yes | Feature is present in the given edition |
Yes, since [update] | Feature is present in the given edition after installing a certain update |
No | Feature is absent from the given edition |
[Explanation] | Feature is partly present in the given edition |
[Explanation], since [update] | Feature is partly present in the given edition, after installing a certain update (It might have been fully present prior to that update, or not present at all) |
Features | Home | Pro | Pro Education | Education | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Architecture | IA-32, x86-64 | ||||
Availability | OEM, Retail | OEM, Retail, Volume licensing | Academic Volume Licensing | Volume licensing | Volume licensing |
Has N or KN variants? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Maximum physical memory (RAM) | 4 GB on IA-32 128 GB on x86-64 | 4 GB on IA-32 2 TB (2048 GB) on x86-64 | 4 GB on IA-32 6 TB (6144 GB) on x86-64 | ||
Minimum telemetry level[a][38] | Basic | Basic | Basic | Security | Security |
Continuum | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Family Safety and Parental Controls | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Cortana[b] | Yes | Yes | Yes, disabled by default | Yes, since 1703 | Yes |
Hardware device encryption | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft Edge | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multiple language pack support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile device management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Side-loading of line of business apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual desktops | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Hello[c] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Can pause updates? | Yes, since 1903 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Spotlight | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft Store suggestions[19][20] | Yes | Yes | Yes, disabled by default | Yes, disabled by default | Yes |
Remote Desktop | Client only | Client and host | Client and host | Client and host | Client and host |
Remote App | Client only | Client only | Client only | Client and host | Client and host |
ReFS support[39] | Cannot create, since 1709 | Cannot create, since 1709 | Cannot create, since 1709 | Cannot create, since 1709 | Yes |
Windows Subsystem for Linux | 64-bitSKUs only, since 1607 | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1607 | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1607 | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1607 | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1607 |
Windows Sandbox | No | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1903 | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1903 | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1903 | 64-bit SKUs only, since 1903 |
Hyper-V | No | 64-bit SKUs only | 64-bit SKUs only | 64-bit SKUs only | 64-bit SKUs only |
Assigned Access 8.1 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BitLocker | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Business Store | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Conditional Access | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Device Guard | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Enterprise data protection | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Enterprise Mode Internet Explorer (EMIE) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Joining a domain and Group Policy management | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Joining a Microsoft AzureActive Directory | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Private catalog | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Analytics | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Information Protection | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Update for Business | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows To Go[d] | No | No | No | Yes[41] | Yes[40][41] |
AppLocker | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
BranchCache | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Credential Guard (Pass the hash mitigations) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
DirectAccess | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft App-V | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft UE-V | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Start screen control with Group Policy | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
User experience control and lockdown | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Unified Write Filter (UWF) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Long-term servicing option available (LTSC) | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Features | Home | Pro | Pro Education | Education | Enterprise |
Microsoft OEM licensing formula takes display size, RAM capacity and storage capacity into account. In mid-2015, devices with 4 GB RAM were expected to be $20 more expensive than devices with 2 GB RAM.[42]
Upgrade path[edit]
Free upgrade[edit]
At the time of launch, Microsoft deemed Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1), Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users eligible to upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge, so long as the upgrade takes place within one year of Windows 10's initial release date. Windows RT and the respective Enterprise editions of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 were excluded from this offer.[43]
Vista Windows 10 Yukseltme Yardimcisi
Windows version and edition | Windows 10 edition |
---|---|
Windows 7 Starter | Home |
Windows 7 Home Basic | |
Windows 7 Home Premium | |
Windows 7 Professional | Pro |
Windows 7 Ultimate | |
Windows 8.1 with Bing | Home |
Windows 8.1 | |
Windows 8.1 Pro | Pro |
Windows Phone 8.1 | Mobile |
Commercial upgrade[edit]
The following table summarizes possible upgrade paths that can be taken, provided that proper licenses are purchased.
Item | Meaning |
---|---|
Yes | Full upgrade is possible, preserving apps, settings and data |
No | Full upgrade is not possible |
Downgrade | Full upgrade is possible but feature loss will occur |
Windows version | Windows edition | Upgrade target | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro Education | Windows 10 Education | Windows 10 Enterprise | ||
Windows 7 | Starter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Home Basic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
Home Premium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
Professional | Downgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Ultimate | Downgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Enterprise | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
Windows 8.x | (Core) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Professional | Downgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Enterprise | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
Windows 8.x Embedded | Industry | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Windows 10 | Home | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pro | Downgrade | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Pro Education | Yes | Yes | N/A | No | No | |
Education | No | No | No | N/A | Downgrade | |
Enterprise | No | No | No | Yes | N/A |
Windows 10 Update
Release branches[edit]
New releases of Windows10, called feature updates,[22] are released twice a year as a free update for existing Windows 10 users. Each feature update contains new features and other changes to the operating system.[45] The pace at which a system receives feature updates is dependent on the release branch from which the system downloads its updates. Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise and Education can optionally use a branch that receives updates at a slower pace. These modes can be managed through system settings, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Windows Update for Business, Group Policy or through mobile device management systems such as Microsoft Intune.[22]
- Windows Insider
- Windows Insider is a beta testing program that allows access to pre-release builds of Windows 10; it is designed to allow power users, developers, and vendors to test and provide feedback on future feature updates to Windows 10 as they are developed. Windows Insider itself consists of three 'rings', 'fast' (which receives new builds as they are released), 'Slow' (which receives new builds on a delay after it is deployed to Fast ring users), and 'Release Preview'.
- Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted)
- The Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted), previously known as the Current Branch (CB), distributes all feature updates as they graduate from the Windows Insider branch. Microsoft only supports the latest build. As of version 1703, additional settings are provided to pause or defer feature updates for a specified length of time, but they were not available on Windows 10 Home until version 1903[46].[47][48]
- Semi-Annual Channel
- The Semi-Annual Channel, previously known as Current Branch for Business (CBB), distributes feature updates on a four-month delay from their original release to the Semi-Annual Channel. This allows customers and vendors to evaluate and perform additional testing on new builds before broader deployments. Devices can be switched back to the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) at any time. The Semi-Annual Channel is not available on Windows 10 Home.[22][49]
- Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
- This servicing option is exclusively available for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC edition and distributes snapshots of this edition that are updated every 2-3 years. LTSC builds adhere to Microsoft's traditional support policy which was in effect before Windows 10: They are not updated with new features, and are supported with critical updates for 10 years after their release. Microsoft officially discourages the use of LTSC outside of 'special-purpose devices' that perform a fixed function and thus do not require new user experience features. As a result, it excludes Windows Store, most Cortana functionality, and most bundled apps (including Microsoft Edge).[22][1][3] According to a Microsoft announcement, this servicing option was renamed from Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) in 2016 to Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) in 2018, to match the name changes mentioned above.[23]
See also[edit]
- Windows Server 2016, the sibling of Windows 10 designed for servers, based on Windows 10 version 1607[50]
- Windows Server 2019, based on Windows 10 version 1809
- Xbox One system software, an operating system based on the Windows 10 core, designed to run on consoles
Notes[edit]
- ^There are four telemetry levels, in the order of magnitude: Security, basic, advanced, and full. The higher the level, the more information that is sent to Microsoft.
- ^Cortana is available only in certain markets. Experience may vary by region and device.
- ^Windows Hello requires specialized hardware, such as a fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensor.
- ^On Windows 10 Pro, a Control Panel applet corresponding to this feature appears, but a Windows 10 Enterprise or Education image is still needed.[40][41]
References[edit]
- ^ abcdefghProphet, Tony (May 13, 2015). 'Introducing Windows 10 Editions'. Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
- ^ abcdefBott, Ed (May 14, 2015). 'Windows 10 editions: Everything you need to know'. ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ^ abcdefFoley, Mary Jo (July 2, 2015). 'Which Windows 10 editions get which features?'. ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ^Diaconu, Klaus (August 10, 2017). 'Microsoft announces Windows 10 Pro for Workstations'. Windows For Your Business. Microsoft.
- ^Foley, Mary Jo (August 10, 2017). 'Microsoft confirms new Windows 10 Pro for Workstations edition'. ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ^Warren, Tom (August 10, 2017). 'Microsoft reveals new Windows 10 Workstations edition for power users'. The Verge. Vox Media.
- ^Turner, Rich. 'Will Linux distros run on Windows 10 S?'. Microsoft. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^Gartenberg, Chaim (May 19, 2017). 'Linux distros won't run on Windows 10 S after all'. The Verge. Vox Media.
- ^Warren, Tom. 'Windows 10 S won't let you change the default browser or switch to Google search'. The Verge. Vox Media.
- ^ abChacos, Brad. 'Meet Windows 10 S, a streamlined, simplified, Microsoft Store-only OS for schools'. PC World. IDG.
- ^Warren, Tom (June 19, 2017). 'Microsoft now lets Surface Laptop owners revert back to Windows 10 S'. The Verge. Vox Media.
- ^'Windows 10 S is Microsoft's answer to Chrome OS'. The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^Bright, Peter (September 14, 2016). 'Desktop apps make their way into the Microsoft Store'. Ars Technica. Condé Nast.
- ^'Windows 10 Cloud looks just like Windows 10 in leaked screenshots'. The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^'Leaked Microsoft document confirms Windows 10 Cloud and a Chromebook competitor'. PC World. IDG. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^'Microsoft admits Windows 10 S was confusing, new 'S Mode' upgrades will be free'. The Verge. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
- ^Tung, Liam. 'Windows 10 to permit block on apps installing if they're not from Microsoft Store'. ZDNet. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
- ^Foley, Mary Jo (July 27, 2016). 'Microsoft to add new Windows 10 Pro Education edition to its line-up'. ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ^ ab'Windows 10 editions for education customers'. Microsoft. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ ab'Manage Windows 10 and Microsoft Store tips, 'fun facts', and suggestions'. Microsoft. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^DaniHalfin. 'Assign devices to servicing branches for Windows 10 updates (Windows 10)'. docs.microsoft.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ abcde'Overview of Windows as a service'. Microsoft. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ abBrinkmann, Martin (July 28, 2017). 'Windows 10 LTSB becomes Windows 10 LTSC'. gHacks Technology News.
- ^Keizer, Gregg. 'FAQ: Windows 10 LTSB explained'. Computerworld. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^'Windows 10 IoT for your business'. Windows for Business. Microsoft. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
- ^'Windows 10 IoT Enterprise'. MS Embedded. Silica. August 14, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^Foley, Mary Jo (December 3, 2015). 'Microsoft updates Windows 10 IoT, adds new Core Pro version'. ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ^'Windows 10 Team Anniversary Update now available for Microsoft Surface Hub'. Neowin. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^Patrizio, Andy. 'Microsoft is leaving the consumer mobile market'. Network World. IDG Publishing. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^Ron (August 2, 2015). 'Grab the Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N and Windows 10 KN editions'. WinBeta. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^Slater-Robins, Max. 'Microsoft is helping manufacturers make cheap tablets that can run Windows as well as Android'. Business Insider UK. Business Insider UK. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^'Microsoft made a version of Windows 10 for the Chinese government'. Engadget. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^Myerson, Terry (May 23, 2017). 'Announcing Windows 10 China Government Edition and the new Surface Pro'. Windows 10 blog. Microsoft.
- ^Dudau, Vlad (June 10, 2015). 'Microsoft shows OEMs how to market Windows 10; talks features and SKUs'. Neowin. Neowin LLC. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
- ^'Compare Windows 10 Pro & Enterprise (E3 & E5) Commercial Editions'. microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^'Compare Windows 10 Editions & Versions | Home & Pro'. microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^Howse, Brett (July 2, 2015). 'Windows 10 Editions Compared'. AnandTech. Purch.
- ^'Configure Windows telemetry in your organization'. docs.microsoft.com. Microsoft. May 22, 2017.
- ^'Features that are removed or deprecated in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update'. Support (28 ed.). Microsoft. October 17, 2017.
- ^ abThurrott, Paul (February 10, 2017). 'Ask Paul: Is Windows To Go Coming to Windows 10 Pro?'. thurrott.com. BWW Media Group.
- ^ abcNiehaus, Michael; Lich, Brian. 'Windows To Go frequently asked questions (Windows 10)'. docs.microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
How can Windows To Go be deployed in an organization? [~snip~] A Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education image
- ^'TrendForce Adjusts Notebooks' Unit Memory Capacity for 2015 Down by 3~5% due to Microsoft's New License Fee Arrangement for Windows 10'. DRAMeXchange. TrendForce Corp. July 27, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ abTrent, Rod (June 9, 2015). 'Windows 10 Upgrade Paths'. SuperSite for Windows. Penton.
- ^Lindsay, Greg; Lich, Brian (April 5, 2017). 'Windows 10 upgrade paths'. Microsoft Docs. Microsoft.
- ^Warren, Tom (April 20, 2017). 'Microsoft will now release major Windows 10 updates every March and September'. The Verge. Vox Media.
- ^'Windows 10 1903: the case of the missing update deferral options - gHacks Tech News'. www.ghacks.net. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
- ^Leonhard, Woody (March 1, 2017). 'Put Windows 10 updates on hold—now available in Creators Update build 15046'. Computerworld. IDG. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^Paul, Ian (April 18, 2017). 'How to defer future updates in the Windows 10 Creators Update'. PC World. IDG.
- ^Keizer, Gregg (November 17, 2015). 'How to defer upgrades and updates in Windows 10 Pro'. Computerworld. IDG.
- ^https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-server-2019-and-windows-server-version-1809-will-be-generally-available-in-october/
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Windows_10_editions&oldid=901656282'
Windows 10 is the best PC operating system yet, with a powerful new Start menu, a UI that switches between and touch and mouse-friendly modes, the Cortana digital assistant and a host of other improvements. If you're already running a legitimate copy of Windows 7 or 8, you're eligible to upgrade for free. Running an OS upgrade takes a little time but not much effort or expertise -- when you're done, you'll have the most powerful Windows yet, with all your programs, settings and data still in place. Here's how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.
Windows 10 should install without a hitch, but driver problems are a possibility and, during any system update, there's always a chance something will go wrong. Before you begin the process, make sure you have all of your data files backed up, preferably to a cloud service such as Microsoft's own One Drive, where you can download them again if your computer crashes. If you don't have a system restore disk already, it's a good idea to make a full system backup, using disk imaging software such as Macrium Reflect, which makes a bit-by-bit copy of your hard drive.
Finally, make sure you have 1 to 2 hours free to run the install. Though you can walk away for large portions of the process, you can expect all the downloading and file copying to take at least 60 minutes and, in our case, closer to two hours on a fast Internet connection. If you have slow or inconsistent Internet, you should go to some place that has a strong connection and follow the instructions for creating a USB install disk you can use at home.
How to Upgrade Via Direct Download
1. Navigate to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
2. Click the 'Download Tool now' button
3. Launch the Download Tool.
4. Click Select Upgrade this PC Now if you are just installing on this computer and want to do so right away. However, if you want to create your own USB or DVD media, see the section below on 'How to Create Windows 8 Install Media.' Though it requires a few extra steps and a blank Flash drive or disc, creating your own install media allows you to not only install on multiple computers, but also reinstall on your current computer if something goes wrong.
The tool will take a while to download the software so be patient, particularly if you have a slow Internet connection. After it downloads, the software also goes through a preparation process and downloads some more files, all of which takes time, perhaps as long as an hour even on a high-speed connection.
5. Click Accept on the license terms screen. Wait again as the software checks for updates. You may want to walk away, as this also takes several minutes.
6. Click the Install button. Wait 20 to 30 minutes for the computer to copy files. It will reboot several times.
7. Click Next at the login screen.
8. Click Use Express settings. You can always change some settings later.
9. Click Next on the 'New apps for the new Windows' screen. The computer will say 'finalizing your settings,' and then take you to the Windows 10 lock screen.
10. Log in to your computer. Windows 10 will take another couple of minutes to do an initial setup and then it will take you to the Windows desktop.
How to Create a Windows 10 USB Install Disk
If you have a 4GB or larger USB flash drive or a blank DVD handy (and you still use an optical drive), you can create your own Windows 10 install disk. Having your own disk allows you to run the upgrade on multiple computers without waiting an hour for a fresh download. You also have the option of doing a clean install or running the upgrade a second time if you run into problems later. Here's how to create a Windows 10 install disk.
Before you begin, make sure to insert your flash drive into one of your USB ports. Be aware that all data on the drive will be erased.
1. Follow steps 1 -3 above, installing the Download tool and launching it.
2. Select 'Create installation media . . . '
3. Select the language, edition and architecture (32 or 64 bits) of Windows. Make sure your selections match those of the computer(s) you wish to upgrade. So, if you currently have Windows 8 Home (64-bit), choose Windows 10 Home 64-bit.
4. Select USB flash drive. If you plan to burn this to DVD instead, select ISO file and, after the process is over, you'll have to use a DVD burning program to write the ISO to disc.
5. Click Finish when the process is complete. If you don't plan to install Windows 10 right away, you can remove the drive and stop here.
6. Launch setup.exe on the flash drive to start the upgrade process.
7. Select 'Download and install updates' and click Next. If you are in a big hurry, choose 'Not right now.' Wait several minutes for the updates to download.
If the software asks you for a product key, you are using the wrong version of Windows 10 to upgrade. For example, you might be attempting to install Windows 10 Home over your existing Windows 8.1 Pro or vice versa. The following steps are the same as if you install via direct download.
8. Click Accept. The software takes a couple of minutes to check your system.
9. Click Install. You can now walk away for at least 30 minutes. After the OS is finished installing, you will be presented with a screen showing your username.
10. Click the Next button.
11. Select Use Express settings.
12. Click Next again.
13. Log in to your computer.
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