If you don’t have the ISO image to create the bootable USB drive, you can download an official image from Microsoft’s website. If you need to use the repair tools of an original Windows installation CD/DVD, you can also use Easy Recovery Essentials ( download link) and run Automated Repair to automatically find and fix boot errors.ĭownload Easy Recovery Essentials ISO image
If the item doesn’t appear, you need to use the original Windows installation CD or DVD to install Windows or access the repair tools. You can try with the USB drive plugged-in and then boot into BIOS directly. If your BIOS menu doesn’t list a USB item in the BIOS settings, it may mean that it can’t boot from a USB drive. If you’re using a computer with Fast Boot option, make sure that Fast Boot is disabled. If you are using a new computer with UEFI/EFI, make sure that the Boot Legacy option is enabled: A Boot Device menu can look like this, depending on your computer model and Windows version: If a Boot Device menu doesn’t appear on your screen where the USB drive is plugged-in, check the BIOS/UEFI settings. To make sure that your BIOS/UEFI is configured to boot from a USB drive, follow our Boot from USB drive guide. The USB drive you want to make bootable should have at least 4 GB in available size. Software needed to write the ISO image to the USB drive or alternatives, such as Easy USB Creator 2.0 by NeoSmart or the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool by Microsoft.If you have the original Windows installation disc, you can use that instead of the ISO image. You have the ISO image of Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 8.1.Your BIOS/UEFI is properly configured to boot from the USB flash drive first.The USB drive is empty and properly formatted.7.2 Download Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Toolīefore you start creating a bootable USB flash drive to install Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10), you need to make sure that:.7.1 Setup cannot find the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA).6.2 If you have the installation disc (DVD).6.1.2 Using Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.5.2 If you have the installation disc (DVD).5.1.2 Using Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.5 Create a Windows 8 / 8.1 bootable USB.4.2 If you have the installation disc (DVD).4.1.2 Using Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.3.2 If you have the installation disc (DVD).3.1.2 Using Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.2.2 If you have the installation disc (CD).
Other users may experience blocks as well, depending on your machine.) This upgrade using the media creation tool isn't meant for the general consumer, but it works for many nonetheless. (The upgrade is not available for Windows Enterprise.
It should be noted that if you have a Windows 7 or 8 Home license, you can only update to Windows 10 Home, while Windows 7 or 8 Pro can only be updated to Windows 10 Pro. Microsoft is encouraging Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 now support for the former has ended. When the upgrade is complete, go to Settings Update & Security > Activation, and you should see a digital license for Windows 10. (If you're upgrading a different machine, choose Create installation media for another PC, and save the installation files.)ĥ. Choose Upgrade this PC now, assuming this is the only PC you're upgrading. Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download tool now and Run.ģ.
Here's how to get Windows 10 for free, if you're currently running a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Home or Pro:ġ. And here's what you can expect before upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
We'll show you how to download Windows 10 for free and give you the latest on Windows 11 computer requirements and a common Windows 11 error that Microsoft users are running into. So the best way to protect your computer from viruses is to update it now. Windows 7 users who don't upgrade to Windows 10 are already missing out on Microsoft's security updates, bug fixes and technical support.
Read more: Windows 11 review: Familiar but fresh But you can expect to update to Windows 11 soon because support for Windows 10 will end in 2025. Updating to Windows 10 now will make future updates, like Windows 11, easier. But you don't necessarily have to shell out the cash: Over the summer, there was a free Microsoft upgrade offer that worked (it still might). If you're still running Windows 7, you can buy Windows 10 Home on Microsoft's website for $139 (£120, AU$225).
(Here's how to download Windows 11 and how to check if your computer's compatible.) Anyone on older operating systems will have to pay to upgrade.
If you're still running an older version of Windows, keep in mind that Windows 11 will only be available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, not older versions. Microsoft no longer offers support for Windows 7, and now the company has launched Windows 11. Time is running out to upgrade to Windows 10.