Chapter lab – downloading Windows 10

In this chapter lab, you will learn how to download Windows 10 from the following:

• Microsoft Evaluation Center
• Through the Windows 10 media creation tool

Downloading Windows 10 from Microsoft Evaluation Center

The steps to download Windows 10 Enterprise (90-day free evaluation) and burn the ISO file to a DVD are fairly simple. To do so, perform the following steps:

1. Open your browser and enter https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/ in the address bar.
2. In the upper-right corner, locate the search icon and enter Windows 10 Enterprise,  and then press Enter.

3. From the list of results, select Windows 10 Enterprise.
4. After selecting the evaluation file type, click the Continue button.
5. After you have completed the form, click the Continue button.
6. Select the platform and language, and then click the Download button.
7. Specify the location on you computer or on a network share when prompted to save the Windows 10 Enterprise file (see Figure 1.6):

Figure 1.6 Downloading Windows 10 Enterprise from Microsoft Evaluation Center

Once your Windows 10 Enterprise download completes, you can then burn the ISO file to a DVD or create a bootable USB flash drive. Remember, Windows 10 Enterprise is valid only for 90 days from the day that you install it. Afterward, if you want to continue to use it then you should purchase a license. 

To find out how to mount and burn ISO files in Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows, navigate to https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/mount-burn-iso-files-windows.

Downloading Windows 10 through the media creation tool

To download Windows 10 and make a bootable USB flash drive, do the following:

1. Open your browser and enter https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 in the address bar.
2. In the Create Windows 10 installation media section, click on Download tool now.
3. Specify the location on you computer or on a network share when prompted to save the media creation tool (see Figure 1.7):

Figure 1.7 Downloading the media creation tool for Windows 10

4. Once the download completes, click on Run.
5. Shortly, the Windows 10 Setup window will display the Applicable notices and license terms view. Click on Accept.
6. In the What do you want to do? view, select Create Installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click on Next.
7. The next view enables you to Select language, architecture, and edition, and then click on Next.
8. In the Choose which media to use view, select USB flash drive and click Next.
9. Select a USB flash drive and click Next.
10. The next view shows that Downloading Windows 10 has started.
11. Once Windows 10 is downloaded, the next view indicates that the Windows 10 setup is Creating Windows 10 media.
12. Finally, click Finish when you notice the Your USB flash drive is ready view (see Figure 1.8):

Figure 1.8 Windows 10 setup indicating that a bootable USB flash drive is ready