Windows 10 is finally available for public download today. Microsoft offers free upgrade for users with licensed copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 (Home and Pro). It only applies for people who has activated Windows copy. It means, if someone purchased Windows 8 key license but never actually used the key in any machine, then the key is not eligible for free upgrade. People has one year to upgrade to Windows 10 using this free offer. After that, there will be standard retail price to upgrade to Windows 10.
How to download Windows 10?
There are few ways to download Windows 10:
Method A: The automatic way
Users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 (including Windows 8.1) need to make sure they have installed all the required Windows updates. After having all updates installed, prior to 29 July 2015, a screen would appear in the desktop, offering people to “reserve” their free upgrade. For people who has done this, the download would happen automatically without we even realise it. When the download is completed (on 29 July 2015 or later) and Windows 10 is ready to be installed, another notification will pop up. The installation download is around 3 GB (but some people reported up to 4.2 GB, maybe depending on their devices). Just for information, the installation file is stored in a hidden folder named C:\$Windows.~BT
Method B: Forcing Windows Update
For some people, they have reserved their free upgrade of Windows 10, but nothing happens today when the download is supposed to be available. There is a way to force Windows to start downloading:
1. Open C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download in Windows Explorer and delete everything in that folder.
2. Run the Command Prompt as an Administrator. Type wuauclt.exe /updatenow and press Enter.
3. Go to Control Panel > Windows Update and your Windows 10 will start downloading.
Method C: Manual download of Windows 10 ISO file
Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO and download the ISO file manually.
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