How to install windows 10

If you already have Windows 10 on your PC and want to perform a fresh install, you can also do that. Windows 10’s Creators Update makes it much easier to install Windows 10 from scratch. You can use the “Fresh start” option in Windows Defender to get a completely fresh-from-Microsoft Windows 10 system.

Just over a year ago, on January 14, 2020 to be exact, the older operating system entered its End of Life phase. And, though Microsoft’s initial free upgrade offer officially expired years ago, the question remains. Is Windows 10 free to download? And, the answer is yes.

Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free and install it without a product key. Whether you want to install Windows 10 in Boot Camp, put it on an old computer that isn’t eligible for a free upgrade, or create one or more virtual machines, you don’t actually need to pay a cent.

Support for Windows 7 ended more than a year ago, and Microsoft wants holdouts to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep devices running securely and smoothly. If you have an older PC or laptop still running Windows 7, you can buy the Windows 10 Home operating system on Microsoft’s website for $139 (£120, AU$225).

Because Microsoft wants the users to move to Linux (or eventually to MacOS, but less so ;-)). As users of Windows, we are pesky people asking for support and for new features for our Windows computers. So they have to pay very expensive developers and support desks, for making nearly no profit at the end.

The Windows 10 product key is normally found on the outside of the package; on the Certificate of Authenticity. If you purchased your PC from a white box vendor, the sticker might be attached to the chassis of the machine; so, look at the top or side to find it. Again, snap a photo of the key for safekeeping.

Easiest discount: An OEM license

When you walk into a store or pop over to Microsoft’s website, handing over that $139 for Windows 10 Home (or $200 for Windows 10 Pro) gets you the retail license. If you visit an online retailer like Amazon or Newegg, you can find both retail and OEM licenses for sale.

The cheap Windows 10 key you purchased on a third-party website is likely not legal. These grey market keys carry the risk of getting caught, and once it is caught, it is over. If luck favors you, you may get some time to use it.

Can you use your Windows 10 license key more than one? The answer is no, you can‘t. Windows can only be installed on one machine. [1] When you enter the product key during the installation process, Windows locks that license key to said PC.

When you have a computer with a retail license of Windows 10, you can transfer the product key to a new device. You only have to remove the license from the previous machine and then apply the same key on the new computer.

1. Your license permits Windows to be installed on only *one* computer at a time. 2. If you have a retail copy of Windows, you can move the installation from one computer to another.

You can only install it on one computer. If you need to upgrade an additional computer to Windows 10 Pro, you need an additional license.

Downsides of Buying from Microsoft

Microsoft charges the most for Windows 10 keys. Windows 10 Home goes for $139 (£119.99 / AU$225), while Pro is $199.99 (£219.99 /AU$339). Despite these high prices, you’re still getting the same OS as if you bought it from somewhere cheaper, and it’s still only usable for one PC.

You are now free to transfer your license to another computer. Since the release of the November Update, Microsoft made it more convenient to activate Windows 10, using just your Windows 8 or Windows 7 product key. If you have a full version Windows 10 license bought at a store, you can enter the product key.

Only if its a retail store bought license that is no longer in use on your computer. If its a retail license, yes, you can transfer it.

If its a retail copy, not an OEM System Builder license, you can transfer it as long as it is removed from the current computer it is installed on. 1 product key, 1 license, you can‘t perform multiple installs using the same product key.

A product key can only be attached to 1 computer. If someone else were to use that key, it would be unbound from yours. If a product key is removed from am system, after 30 Days, the OS will auto uninstall. There are places that sell Windows for cheap, and somepeople break it.

Sharing keys:

No, the key which can be used with either 32 or 64 bit Windows 7 is only intended for use with 1 of the disk. You cannot use it to install both. You may install one copy of the software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed computer.”

But yes, you can move Windows 10 to a new computer so long as you bought a retail copy, or upgraded from Windows 7 or 8. One way to use Windows without buying a licence is to simply install it and not activate it.