Previously, the ios image for installing Windows had to be searched for on third-party sites and file sharing, risking downloading a version with errors and viruses. Now Microsoft offers the OS on its verified resource – you can install it for free (but then you still need an activation key). Below we will show you how to do this.
What you need to download Windows
There are a number of requirements for a PC or laptop on which the system will be installed:
- The video card must support the DirectX visual effects display library from version 9 and above, as well as the WDDM 1.0 driver, which ensures the correct display of interface details.
- CPU 32 or 64 bit, with a frequency of 1 GHz.
- RAM from 2 GB (1 GB is allowed when installing Windows 7 on a 32-bit processor).
- 16 GB of internal hard disk space (not total, but unallocated space).
- Windows activation key (you can buy it there on the website).
- Internet access – preferably unlimited and stable.
- Some kind of removable media for saving the system image: USB flash drive, external hard drive or ordinary laser disk with at least 8 GB of memory.
Downloading a Windows iso image using a program
Two popular programs will help you download Windows 7 or 10 from the official Microsoft website: Media Creation Tool or Windows ISO Downloader – to choose from. Proceed as follows:
- Prepare the drive for storing the OS image and connect it to the PC (delete all files and folders that were there).
- Install one of the proposed programs and run it.
Windows ISO Downloader
- In the menu that appears, indicate that you want to create a bootable drive.
- Select your Windows version, bitness and language.
Media Creation Tool
- Check the external storage device you are using.
- Wait for the process to complete – the speed depends on the quality of the Internet and the capabilities of the computer.
Media Creation Tool is convenient in that it does everything by itself, because a regular blank disk or flash drive will not work for Windows recording – they cannot initiate reading. Because of this, you have to perform a lot of manipulations, when faced with difficulties and errors, to monitor the correct formatting, etc. Anyone can do it here, even those who are not too versed in the topic.
Windows ISO Downloader, although easy to use, only downloads packages without processing the drive itself. You will have to deal with creating a boot device yourself.
How to download Windows from the official site without programs
The developers, presenting Windows 10, 8 and 7, provided for how to download their product from the official website without third-party programs. They offer to install a small utility called Media Creation Tool. It also explains how to work with it.
- Go to Microsoft and click the big blue button that says “Download Tool Now.”
- Wait for the download to complete and open the installation package by double clicking.
- Agree to the terms of the license.
- Select Create Installation Media.
- Please specify the language.
- Select the type of Windows: “ten” or “seven”, series and architecture.
- Transfer the image to a USB flash drive.
- Turn off your PC, connect the storage media to it and start the system again.
- While it is loading, have time to press the key that calls BSVV. The choice depends on which company you have a PC. Search the internet for your model information. Typically, the basic I / O system is attached to the F2, F5, F12, Del, or Esc buttons.
- Change the boot order by moving the line with the name of your flash drive to the very top.
- Start Windows installation.
Thus, if you wish, you can do without additional software by using the Microsoft utility. Instead of creating a bootable USB flash drive, you can select “Update system” – then you don’t have to do anything at all, “Windows will reinstall itself.” But in this case, you need to initiate the installation from the computer that needs the new OS.