How To Install Windows 10 On A New Laptop

Updated with a link to Microsoft's Windows 10 support page.

You lot've read the review, pored through the tips and how-tos, and have waited breathlessly for the day that you can download Windows 10.

And then how do you lot do it, exactly? We've got you covered.

Earlier y'all do anything, however, we're going to give your our standard advice:back up your data. Microsoft will give you lot the choice of wiping your files at diverse stages during the procedure. Whether y'all go that route or not, make certain you've backed up fundamental documents and other information to OneDrive, a USB key, or something else—simply in instance.

There are three main means to obtain Windows ten: either buy a new PC with Windows 10 preloaded, purchase a license key to Windows ten online, or upgrade an existing Windows eight.one or Windows 7 PC. We're going to ignore the first pick and focus on the latter two, which nosotros'll consider to be substantially the same scenario.

Allow'southward assume that you're upgrading an older PC, and then. If you own a qualifying Windows PC, you lot had the option of "reserving" a free re-create of Windows 10, an offer which will expire a year from now. If you did reserve a copy, chances are that your PC has downloaded a re-create of Windows ten in the background. At some point, Windows x will invite you to begin the upgrade process.

Microsoft

That's the simplest choice, peculiarly if you lot don't take any immediate, drastic need to download Windows 10. Let Microsoft button Windows 10 at its leisure, and it will terminate up in your hands somewhen.

But there's a second pick, ane that's a fleck more than fun. And that's to download Windows 10right now.

Traditionally, Windows users would upgrade past inserting an installation CD or DVD into their PC. Over time, users became trained to fire their own .ISO files on their own media. And starting with Windows 8, Microsoft offered the choice of restoring a Windows installation from an ISO file stored on a DVD or fifty-fifty on a flash drive. With the new Windows 10 media cosmos tool, you don't even need to take that stride—it creates a bootable flash drive that y'all don't need to futz with. Just brand certain the USB drive'due south at to the lowest degree three GB in size.

Marker Hachman

You lot take the option of using Microsoft's tool either for upgrading the current PC, or to store the $.25 on a USB key for safekeeping.

On the media creation tool page, select the proper version—check the organisation settings to double-check whether you're running a 32- or 64-bit OS. Then download and run it. Though simple, the tool has a number of lovely features—including the ability to simply upgrade the PC. Yes, it'due south true—you don'tneed the Windows 10 reservation, as the tool will simply jump you lot to the head of the line. Fifty-fifty ameliorate, yous can select whether y'all want Windows 10 Domicile or Windows 10 Professional, either 32-bit or 64-scrap versions, and even the installation language.

Mark Hachman

Note that yous can utilize this tool not simply to upgrade Windows seven or Windows viii.1 PCs, but also Windows ten PCs with older builds. Don't get sneaky, though. You won't be able to score a free upgrade to Windows 10 Professional if you existing license doesn't back up it. Here's a recap of who gets what:

Host operating system edition	Windows 10 edition
Windows 7 Starter Windows 7 Home Basic Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 8/8.1 Windows 8.ane with Bing Windows x Home	Windows 10 Home
Windows 7 Professional person Windows seven Ultimate Windows viii Pro Windows eight.1 Pro Windows 8/8.one Professional with Media Middle Windows 10 Pro	Windows 10 Pro

Y'all can try a clean installation by booting straight from the USB key or DVD; when you do and so, you have the option of keeping your files or wiping out everything. However, I ran into an issue where Windows claimed my disk partitions were improperly organized and refused to let me get further. I tried an in-identify installation instead.

From there, still, the installation proceeded smoothly. Make sure you lot let Windows to download relevant drivers equally the installation proceeds. Y'all'll need to concur to a license understanding, and then the installation process will brainstorm in earnest.

Mark Hachman

Brand sure you permit Windows to grab updates as it goes.

Yous may run into a situation where Windows asks for a license fundamental. If y'all're upgrading from a licensed copy of Windows 7 or Windows eight.1, yous can click the tiny "skip" option; Microsoft will dig out the license central from the depths of your motorcar. If this is a brand-new installation, of grade, you'll need to enter the proper cardinal.

Microsoft encourages yous to upgrade to Windows 10 showtime, andthen—if you lot and so cull—wipe the drive and reset Windows to improve performance. You tin can do in the Settings > Update & Security carte du jour. There, you'll have the choice to proceed your personal files and reinstall Windows, remove all your files and settings, or perform a factory reset, which will probably bring the PC dorsum to Windows 8.1. Nosotros oasis't tried information technology notwithstanding. (Editor's Note: We have tried information technology now, and yes, on an HP Spectre x360 that came preinstalled with Windows 8.ane, it resets to 8.1.)

That same menu offers a chance to curl back from Windows 10 to Windows 8.ane, as well. That option expires a month after you lot upgrade to Windows 10.

One concluding note: you lot tin upgrade an earlier Windows 10 Insider build to the "RTM" version using the tool. Merely doing so will take you off of the Insider rails. If you lot desire to hop back on to enjoy further beta upgrades, you can enable it in the Settings.

Just downgrade to Windows 8.one? Why? Windows 10 is terrific, and well worth the expect. And if y'all're feeling a little nervous about your showtime steps into the brand new world of Windows—don't worry. Our Windows 10 tutorial will arrive very soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out these ten killer new Windows x features start.

Updated at 10:02 AM with a bit more data on the installation procedure and at ten:52 AM with more than details about the Insider track.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/422760/how-to-install-windows-10-on-your-pc.html

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