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Is PC Ready for the Windows 10 End-of-Life? An Essential Guide to Saving OS
Although Windows 11 has become more common, many people still prefer using Windows 10 . Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which means there will be no more official security updates after that date . Because of this, it is a good idea to save a copy of the Windows 10 installation files, known as an ISO file, to use for future needs .
There are two primary methods for downloading the Windows 10 ISO file for free. You can either download it directly by making your browser pretend to be a non-Windows device or use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool .
Downloading the ISO File Directly
This method tricks the Microsoft download page into offering the ISO file directly, which it normally does not do if it detects you are already using a Windows computer .
- Open Developer Tools: In your web browser (like Chrome or Edge), open the “Developer Tools.” You can usually find this in the main menu under “More Tools” .
- Change User Agent: Find the “Network conditions” tab. Here, uncheck the option that says “Use browser default” and select a mobile user agent, such as “Chrome: Android Mobile” .
- Refresh the Page: With the developer tools still open, refresh the Windows 10 download page. The page will now show you the option to download an ISO file directly .
- Select and Download: Choose the “Windows 10 (multi-edition ISO)” option, select your preferred language, and then choose between the 64-bit or 32-bit version to start the download .
Using the Media Creation Tool
The Media Creation Tool is an official application from Microsoft that simplifies the process of creating a Windows 10 installer .
- Download the Tool: Go to the official Windows 10 download website and click the “Download Now” button under the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section .
- Run the Application: Open the downloaded file and accept the license terms .
- Choose What to Do: Select the option to “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” .
- Select Your Options: Choose the language and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for your installation. The tool can also use the recommended settings for your current computer .
- Create the Media: You can choose to create a bootable USB drive directly or save the ISO file to your computer to use later .
After the End-of-Support Date
After October 14, 2025, computers running Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates, which could make them more vulnerable to security risks . While it may still be possible to download the ISO files for a short time after this date, there is no guarantee . Keeping a saved copy of the ISO file ensures you can always reinstall the operating system if you encounter system errors or need to set it up on a new machine .