If you’re ready to make the jump from Windows 10 to Window 11, you can download a clean copy of Windows 10 to save for future use just in case. This download is legal, free and fairly simple to do. Plus, it will ensure you have a way to reboot Windows 10 in the future if problems occur. This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, Dell. Call an advisor at 877-ASK-DELL or go to Dell.com for free expert support.
Make sure you have a compatible device
Windows 10 will only work on authorized machines. Your computer must be licensed in order to download the legit legal version — and that is the version you want. RELATED: Windows 10 pro tips If you are not using a Windows machine, chances are you would not use this OS anyway. But be aware that you will not be able to download Windows 10 onto anything other than a Windows PC or device. These devices will support Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
Storage space is critical
Make sure you have enough storage space to save Windows 10. The system requires about 8GB of hard drive space. Make sure you have enough storage available on your PC or tablet to save it. You can always move the file to another storage option later.
How to download a copy of Windows 10
Go to the download site for Windows 10. You can access it here. You will see two downloading options. Choose the second one under the heading Create Windows installation media. Click the button beneath which reads Download tool now. If you are using a non-Windows compatible device you will receive a message that you are unable to download Windows on this device, as stated above. Follow the prompts by clicking through the Next buttons, and choose the May 2020 update if given the option. It will take several minutes for the system to download, so be prepared to hang out for a while. You will be prompted to store the file on a USB flash drive or ISO file. If you don’t have a flash drive with enough storage space, select ISO file. Microsoft says you’ll need to burn the ISO file to a DVD later. For now, you can save it wherever it makes sense, like your desktop or downloads folder.
Save the file in a safe place
Now that you have downloaded a clean version of Windows 10 save it in a safe place. You can use this copy to reboot your computer if you should need it down the line. Again it will require about 8GB to store, so make sure you have space, and remember to save it under a name and file that you will remember. Tap or click here for some tips for storing data files in the cloud. With updates happening so frequently, you may find yourself in need of a clean version of Windows 10 someday — and now you’ll know how to do just that! Your future self will thank you.
Need to upgrade? Talk to the pros at Dell
Sometimes it feels like the world is throwing everything it has at you. To succeed, you need someone to guide you through. That’s what Dell Technologies Advisors do. They have the tech advice to help you navigate whatever challenges you’re up against — and get you safely to where you want to be. Dell offers free tech advice to help you make the right decisions to get the job done, no matter what you do. Call an advisor at 877-ASK-DELL or go to Dell.com for free expert support.
