Microsoft doesn’t like you downloading Windows 10 even from official source anymore – Neowin
Microsoft has taken down its official Windows 10 download page, preventing users from downloading and installing the operating system directly from its servers. Previously, users could grab an ISO image for installation or upgrade, but this is no longer possible. Now, Microsoft only allows downloading of specific Windows 10 versions like the Insider Preview build for its various rings, such as Dev, Beta, Release Preview, and the final stable version. The update also removed the Download Windows 10 disc image (ISO file) link.
The company is no longer providing ISO files for users to download, pushing them to upgrade using the Media Creation Tool instead. This tool helps you create installation media, like a bootable USB drive, and then lets you install the latest version of Windows. This tool also provides users with options for a fresh installation or an in-place upgrade. For clean installations, the Media Creation Tool prepares the target machine, effectively deleting everything except the data in the user folder.
This shift comes as Windows 10 continues to age. Though the operating system receives security and feature updates on a regular basis, its initial release was almost a decade ago. Some features that might seem obvious today are not yet implemented. This approach appears to align with Microsoft’s current strategies: limiting options and control for end users and directing users to more recent features and programs, as seen in Windows 11.
Even though the direct download of Windows 10 is no longer possible, the Media Creation Tool continues to offer download options. If users want a clean installation without upgrading from an existing operating system, the Media Creation Tool allows creating a bootable USB drive, which they can then use for a fresh installation. With these steps, users can still have access to an ISO file, though this is now achieved indirectly.
It seems as if Microsoft wants its users to migrate to Windows 11 and no longer want to keep its servers flooded with Windows 10 download traffic, though the company is continuing support for Windows 10 until October 14, 2025, with extended security updates through October 14, 2027, for some versions.
The removal of the direct download option highlights the continuous evolution of Windows and Microsoft’s ongoing effort to prioritize their latest offering. While Windows 10 is still actively supported for several years, users looking for a clean installation of the operating system may need to rely on the Media Creation Tool to acquire the necessary ISO files.
