In this article, we are going to explore the different methods available to get Windows 10 for free. We will share four unique options and explain whether each of these options is legal or not.
Hopefully after reading this article you will have a better understanding of how Windows 10 activation works and why Microsoft charges it in the first place.
Table of Contents
Download Windows 10 for free from third-party sites
You may have heard from a friend or colleague that they can download Windows 10 for free from a third-party website, or maybe you read about it online.
Your source may have mentioned that they can get you the full Windows 10 operating system for free without any watermark or product key.
Using a third party website to download Windows 10 for free is definitely a violation of Microsoft policy and more importantly, it may cause some legal trouble or other problems for you.
Is it legal?
It is completely illegal to download the full version of Windows 10 for free from a third-party source and we would not recommend it.
Whether illegally downloading Microsoft software will get you in trouble or fine is debated, but it’s certainly possible and Microsoft reserves the right to pursue legal action in this case.
Is it dangerous?
Perhaps more worryingly, downloading Windows 10 for free from third-party websites can be very dangerous. People who offer cracked software for free can forge software and package it with malware or viruses.
Some malware can track your keystrokes and steal your information, or they can use your PC power to mine cryptocurrency. In addition, they may run background ads on your system to make money from you.
Download Windows 10 ISO directly from Microsoft
If you really need to download Windows 10 for free and don’t have any installation media, there’s no need to look for third-party sources. Microsoft actually allows users to download Windows 10 completely for free directly from their own website.
You can find Windows 10 Download Tool here. With this tool you can create your own bootable Windows 10 installation CD or USB drive.
Is it legal?
Using this method is legal and is provided directly from Microsoft. With this method, you can install and run Windows 10 without a product activation key.
It is important to note that if you continue to use Windows without activating it with a purchased license, you will be going against Microsoft’s terms of service.
You should purchase a license to support Microsoft and ensure that you are complying with their terms of service. However, for a quick fix, this option is available to you if you need to get Windows 10 up and running on your machine quickly.
Is it dangerous?
Using this method is not dangerous as it is provided directly from Microsoft. It is not likely that this method includes viruses or malware.
Just make sure you let the Windows 10 Download tool complete the process before installing it on a new system.
Review Windows 10 Enterprise for 90 days
If you’re considering using Windows 10 Enterprise for your business, you’ll be happy to know that you can evaluate it for free for a period of 90 days.
Windows 10 Enterprise is a version of Windows 10 targeted at medium to large businesses. It shares very similar functionality with Windows 10 Pro with some minor tweaks.
You can find review page for Windows 10 Enterprise here.
Is it legal?
It is perfectly legal to use this method to download Windows 10 Enterprise, but Microsoft has made this option available to those interested in purchasing a license from them after the initial evaluation period.
Technically, there’s no rule that you must purchase Windows 10 Enterprise after the 90-day evaluation ends, but you’re going against their terms if you continue to use the software after the 90-day evaluation period. price without purchasing a license first.
Is it dangerous?
Again, this method is not dangerous as you will be going directly through Microsoft. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to create an ISO before installing the operating system, so this will require a bootable USB drive or CD.
Reuse your Windows 10 Disk on multiple computers
If you previously purchased a Windows 10 installation disc, you can use it to install your copy of Windows 10 on another system. This is easily the most convenient option available as all you need to do is put the disc in the system you want to install Windows 10 on.
Is it legal?
When you purchase a Windows 10 installation disc, you will be asked to install and use the software only on one system. Doing otherwise is a violation of Microsoft’s license terms.
However, you may still be within Microsoft’s terms if you contact them and ask to transfer the license from your existing system to this new system.
Also, if you are installing the Windows 10 disc to a system where you first activated the license, you have the right to reinstall it on the same system. Windows will check your hardware to determine if it’s on the same system.
In some cases, if you change your hardware, the Operating System may think it is a new system when in fact it remains the same. You can contact Microsoft support for assistance with this issue.
Is it dangerous?
This option is risk-free – in fact, it’s probably the safest option since you’re using media directly from Microsoft and you don’t even need the internet for the whole process.
Will going against Microsoft’s terms get me in trouble?
With Microsoft offering so many free methods to install Windows 10, you can install Windows 10 for free directly from them and never have to pay to activate it.
If you choose to do this, you will still have access to updates and all operating system features will still work for you.
The only negatives is that there will always be a watermark at the bottom of the screen and you won’t be able to access Office 365 programs like Word or PowerPoint. Some personalization options will also be disabled.
Going this route means you’re going against Microsoft’s terms of service, but there’s little Microsoft can do to stop you. If you are an individual, you won’t have any trouble. If you’re a business that repairs or sells computers, you could run into some legal trouble.
Finally, Microsoft has become very lenient with non-activated users – they want even people using Windows 10 without a license to have full security protection and the latest updates to avoid infected with malware and viruses.
So in summary, the option still exists to be unlicensed, but it still goes against Microsoft’s licensing terms. It might be a payment you don’t want to make, but we recommend making it to support Microsoft.
It costs a lot of money to hire staff to develop, maintain, and provide support for Windows 10. Enjoy!
