Microsoft is prompting users to switch to Windows 11 eventually, as support for Windows 10 will expire in October 2025. But if you still use Windows 10 or require it for virtual machines, now’s the time to grab (and save for later) the ISO image before Microsoft pulls it.
To keep Windows 10 accessible, here is everything you need to know.
Why You Need to Download the Windows 10 ISO Now
While your Windows 10 PC will keep working, Microsoft has announced that after October 14, 2025:
No Free Updates: If you are Windows user, this means that already installed Windows 10 will stop receiving free updates, which even includes the most important security patches.
Reduced Download Access: Now that it’s gone, Microsoft is likely to follow suit and remove the ISO download links as it did with Windows 7 and 8.1, making it even harder to get your hands on in the future to do a fresh install.
It’s a good idea to save the ISO right now, to ensure you can use Windows 10 in the future.
How to Download the Windows 10 ISO
- Go to the Official Microsoft Download Page
Head to Microsoft’s website and access the Media Creation Tool, which lets you download a Windows 10 ISO filename. - Choose Your Version & Edition
Choose the version of Windows 10 you need —Windows 10 Home, Pro, or LTSC 2021 (for long term support). - Run the Media Creation Tool
To create a new ISO, download a fresh one with the Media Creation Tool, and then store it for use in PCs or in virtual environments going forward.
What to do after Windows 10 end of support
After October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide:
- Software and Security Updates: Patches and fixes will stop.
- Technical Assistance: Windows 10 will no longer have official support from Microsoft.
Apart from that, information about DVD has been removed from the download guide of Windows 10, which indicates that Windows 10 is going down soon.
Saving Your Windows 10 ISO: Final Thoughts
If you want to continue using Windows 10 for work, personal use, or in virtual machines you know you need to go out and download and save the ISO now. Having the ISO on hand will let you reinstall it or use it in virtual machines even after 2025 when Microsoft said that Windows 10’s support and download access will be coming to an end. Don’t wait, secure your copy now.