Jul 29, 2016 - Windows 10 free upgrade page for people who use assistive. With more than a billion people with disabilities in the world, we are excited for.
UPDATED 5/22: It’s possible to download the Windows 10 ISO file without the Media Creation Tool to upgrade or clean install of the latest version of the OS, but Microsoft hides the option for Windows 10 users.
Microsoft makes available the ISO files every releases of Windows 10, including for the Windows 10 October 2019 Update (version 1809), the only problem is that when you go to the support site, you don’t get an option to download the ISO files directly. Instead, you’re only given the choice to get the update assistant or Media Creation Tool.
The reason is because the Microsoft support site is able to detect the OS you’re running, and if you’re already using Windows 10, Microsoft really wants you to use the Media Creation Tool. However, if you don’t want to go through the extra steps, there is a workaround to download the ISO file of Windows 10 directly from the Microsoft servers without the need to use the Media Creation Tool. It’s just the matter of making the support site think that you’re using an unsupported OS.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to download the Windows 10 ISO file directly from Microsoft servers without the Media Creation Tool.
How to download the Windows 10 ISO file
To download the ISO file of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, you’ll have to change your web browser settings.
Downloading ISO using Microsoft Edge (legacy)
On the legacy version of Microsoft Edge use these steps:
Open a new tab on Microsoft Edge.
Copy and paste this Microsoft support site link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO in the address bar, and press Enter. (If you get redirected, it’s an expected behavior.)
Right-click on the page and select Inspect element.
Quick Tip: If you don’t see the option, open about:flags from the address bar, and check the “Show ‘View source’ and ‘Inspect element’ in the context menu” option.Click on Emulation.
Under “Mode”, change the user agent string to Apple Safari (ipad).
Refresh the page if the browser doesn’t reload automatically.
Select the edition of Windows 10 you want.
Click the Confirm button.
Pick your product language from the drop-down menu.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the button to download the Windows 10 ISO to begin the process.
Downloading ISO using Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
On the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge use these steps:
Open a new tab on Microsoft Edge (Chromium).
Copy and paste this Microsoft support site link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO in the address bar, and press Enter.
Right-click on the page and select Inspect.
Click the three-dotted menu button on the top-right, and under “More tools”, select Network conditions.
Under “User agent”, clear the Select automatically option.
Select the Safari – iPad iOS 9 option from the “User agent” drop-down menu.
Refresh the page if the browser doesn’t reload automatically.
Select the edition of Windows 10 you want.
Click the Confirm button.
Pick your product language from the drop-down menu.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the button to download the Windows 10 ISO to begin the process.
Downloading ISO using Google Chrome
On Chrome use these steps:
Open a new tab on Chrome.
Copy and paste this Microsoft support site link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO in the address bar, and press Enter. (If you get redirected, it’s an expected behavior.)
Right-click on the page and select Inspect.
Click the three-dotted menu button on the top-right, and under “More tools”, select Network conditions.
Under “User agent”, clear the Select automatically option.
Select the Safari – iPad iOS 9 option from the “User agent” drop-down menu.
Refresh the page if the browser doesn’t reload automatically.
Select the edition of Windows 10 you want.
Click the Confirm button.
Pick your product language from the drop-down menu.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the button to download the Windows 10 ISO to begin the process.
Downloading ISO using Mozilla Firefox
On Firefox use these steps:
Open a new tab on Firefox.
Copy and paste this Microsoft support site link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO in the address bar, and press Enter. (If you get redirected, it’s an expected behavior.)
Use the Ctrl + Shift + M keyboard shortcut to open “Responsive design view.”
Click the Responsive button at the top, and select the iPad option from the list.
Click the Refresh button.
Select the edition of Windows 10 you want.
Click the Confirm button.
Select your language from the drop-down menu.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the button to download the Windows 10 ISO to begin the process.
After downloading the ISO file, you can use tools, such as Rufus to create a bootable media of Windows 10.
Originally published in March 2017, updated on May 2019.
Windows 10 was available as a free upgrade for one year, but that offer finally ended on July 29, 2016. If you didn’t finish your upgrade before that, you will now have to pay the full price of $119 to get Microsoft’s last operating system (OS) everWindows 10 Is the Last Version of Windows. Ever.Windows 10 Is the Last Version of Windows. Ever.Microsoft is sick of you not upgrading, and has a solution: Windows 10 will be the final 'version' of Windows. Ever. This could mean that you will never again have to buy Windows.Read More.
Same Start menu. Same programs. Best Windows. Free upgrade offer ends July 29: https://t.co/LURpdovRlh#Windows10pic.twitter.com/t1Q6cTBbLq
— Windows (@Windows) July 28, 2016
However, Microsoft has left open a small backdoor that you can exploit to get the Windows 10 upgrade after the deadline. While the offer is closed for the general public, Microsoft invites customers who use assistive technologies on Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 to upgrade for free anytime.
Windows Disability Upgrade Iso Download For Pc
So how do you benefit? Well, Microsoft isn’t actually checking if you use assistive technologies or not.
What’s Happening After the Deadline?
Throughout the free upgrade period, Microsoft was aggressively pushing Windows users onto the new platform through the Get Windows 10 (GWX) campaign. Microsoft tried sneaking the upgrade through Windows UpdateMicrosoft Strikes Again - How to NOT Upgrade to Windows 10Microsoft Strikes Again - How to NOT Upgrade to Windows 10Windows 10 is now a recommended update on Windows 7 and 8.1 computers. If you're not yet ready to upgrade, it's time to double-check your Windows Update settings. We show you how.Read More, which has been one of the most annoying persistent notifications on Windows computers.
Notifications for the Get Windows 10 app may persist for a little longer, but ZDNet reports that Microsoft will eventually take it down, now that the free upgrade offer has expired:
On July 29th the notifications will end. The Get Windows 10 (GWX) application will advise that the free upgrade offer has ended. In time, we will remove the application.
Since it is no longer a recommended update, Windows Update should stop bugging you with that little tooltip. Presently, Microsoft has no plans for further upgrade offers or similar schemes.
If you have successfully upgraded your device to Windows 10 before July 30, you will be able to use it legitimately. Note that your Windows 10 licenseThe Ultimate Windows 10 Activation & License FAQThe Ultimate Windows 10 Activation & License FAQOne of the big confusions surrounding Windows 10 concerns its licensing and activation. This FAQ will shed some light, explain what has changed with Windows 10 version 1511 (Fall Update), and translate activation-related error codes.Read More is tied to your hardware and is not transferable to a new computer. The consequence of not upgradingIf You Don't Upgrade to Windows 10, This Will HappenIf You Don't Upgrade to Windows 10, This Will HappenAfter July 29, Windows 10 will no longer be a free upgrade. Here's what that means for users of each version of Windows.Read More is to pay the full $119.
But there’s still one little trick to get you a Windows 10 upgrade for free: Microsoft Assistive technology.
How to Get a Free Windows 10 Upgrade After July 29
Assistive technologies are part of the Ease of Access menu in your Settings. This consists of built-in features like a narrator to read out on-screen text and buttons, a magnifier to zoom in on the screen, closed captions to turn audio into text, and so on.
There are also specialized third-party assistive products, like voice recognition software to transcribe your speech. Any software or hardware that provides accessibility to users with special needs comes under this category.
For any such customer, the Windows 10 upgrade will remain free. And it makes sense to upgrade too, since the Windows 10 Anniversary Edition updateWindows 10 Anniversary Update Due in July & These Are Its Best FeaturesWindows 10 Anniversary Update Due in July & These Are Its Best FeaturesYou will love the Windows 10 Anniversary Update! The second big upgrade to Windows 10 since its launch in July 2015 is expected this summer. Here we highlight the most exciting features.Read More — releasing on August 2 — has greatly improved assistive technologies. The narrator has been improved, doubling its speed, added new commands for navigation, and has deeply embedded assistive technology in Microsoft Edge and Cortana, the voice-based virtual assistant.
#Windows10 Anniversary Update Available August 2: https://t.co/L0yT7hJOqmpic.twitter.com/wRorlkMGu1
— Windows (@Windows) June 29, 2016
However, Microsoft has made no effort to actually check if a customer uses any assistive technology. At this point, anyone can get a free Windows 10 upgrade, even though the official deadline is up.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Make sure you are already running Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 with a valid license.
- Back up all your data before you begin.
- Go to www.microsoft.com/accessibility/windows10upgrade
- Click Upgrade Now to download the Microsoft Update Assistant Tool. It’s an EXE file and will work only on Windows.
- Run the Update Assistant and follow the on-screen instructions.
- The tool will download the latest release of Windows 10 (currently version 1511How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Version 1511 NowHow to Upgrade to Windows 10 Version 1511 NowCan't seem to install the Windows 10 Fall Update? It wouldn't be the Microsoft we know and love, if there wasn't some kind of screw-up along the line. Let us help!Read More), after which it will start the installation process.
Once the installation process was initiated, you can follow our guide to upgrade to Windows 10How to Upgrade to Windows 10 via Windows UpdateHow to Upgrade to Windows 10 via Windows UpdateWindows 10 is offered as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. When you're ready to upgrade, you can use Windows Update and keep all your installed programs and settings intact.Read More. After the setup finishes, you might also want to delete Windows.old to regain spaceFree Up Disk Space by Removing Windows.old FolderFree Up Disk Space by Removing Windows.old FolderWindows prepares an automatic backup before you re-install. The Windows.old folder includes user profiles and personal files. Here's how to restore the data and remove the folder to free up space.Read More, although keep in mind that this will prevent you from downgrading to your previous Windows version3 Ways to Downgrade Windows 10 & Rollback to Windows 7 or 8.1 Indefinitely3 Ways to Downgrade Windows 10 & Rollback to Windows 7 or 8.1 IndefinitelyYou've either upgraded to Windows 10 to secure a free copy or were upgraded forcefully. We share three tricks that will help you downgrade now or later and save you if your upgrade failed.Read More, unless you made a backup.
Microsoft hasn’t declared when it will end this upgrade offer for assistive technology users, but has said that there will be a public announcement before it ends. So for now, you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade if you missed out during the deadline, albeit not ethically.
Is It Just an Oversight?
Possibly, yes. As one Redditor astutely pointed out, the Upgrade Now button is linking to an Update Assistant Tool version that doesn’t check for any assistive technology, instead of another version that seems to check for it.
So when you’re downloading the Update Assistant Tool from the site, check if it’s a file titled “Windows10Upgrade9252.exe” or if it’s “Windows10Upgrade24074.exe”. If it’s ending in 24074, then you have nothing to worry about.
Do You Think This Is Deliberate?
Several people think that this continued upgrade offer is a ploy by Microsoft. The company has publicly stopped the official upgrade, but left this backdoor wide open, without any checks whatsoever. By making it seem like an oversight, people who were still holding out for another scheme may end up upgrading now before this backdoor is shut.
Do you think Microsoft intentionally left the accessibility-based upgrade open to anyone? Or was it just an oversight that will be corrected soon?
Windows Disability Upgrade Iso Download Windows 10
Image Credits:Shocking by sharpshutter via Shutterstock
Explore more about: Windows 10, Windows Upgrade.
Just go to the site through archive.org, to a version in 2017.
take this article down! Has not worked for ages!
No longer available, officially as of 2017-12-31 as per the upgrade page at Microsoft.
yeah! its mid 2017 and it still available. amazing! now upgrading.
I just did this today and the FAQ's at the bottom of the page say this option will expire Jan 16, 2018. Just 10 days from now. Guess I just made it.
Anyone know if you can use the media creation tool now that the deadline has passed, I keep getting stuck at 99%. I don't see any option to install by any other method than the Upgrade assistant. 23 hours and counting....
Same is the case with me.
When I tried upgrading to Windows 10 it asked for a W10 License Key. Since I only had a W7 License Key it refused the upgrade. Please advise.
Compare your download file name with those mentioned above.
I think this is a way of basically slowing down server hits from the mass public while still allowing IT guys access when they need it. Its a good way to be able to pick and choose who gets the software without it seeming like a dick move...
My daughter bought a laptop from Newegg with Win 8.1. We tried to 'upgrade' to Win 10. No joy. The installer kept on telling us that there was no mor room on an almost empty 1 TB drive. We followed all the instructions but all we got was the Not Enough Space error. So the 'upgrade' got the hook. Besides, Win 8.1 will be supported till 2020. By that time my daughter will have given that laptop to me and I would have installed Linux with no problems. She will have her boss provide her with another laptop with O/S pre-installed.
I downloaded the exe because I use the magnifier to be able to read most stuff, and all it seems to be doing is restarting the Upgrade Assistant every 10-15 seconds and not doing anything and keeps bringing itself into foreground and disrupting me every time and basically isn't working? 'We're checking for the latest version of the Upgrade Assistant'? And I can't seem to end the process hmm.
Thank you for this. I don't feel guilty because I was TRYING to get my upgrade done before the deadline and I had a hard drive crash that took 2 WEEKS to recover from.
There has been many comments stating that by turning your system clock back to the 28th July you can still upgrade for free.
I havnt personally tried that method as all my machines are on Win 10 but thats the word...This is of course, a deliberate move. One of the FAQ on the download page says:
'We are not restricting the free upgrade offer to specific assistive technologies. If you use assistive technology on Windows, you are eligible for the free upgrade offer.'
Which means there might be thousands of assistive tools available for Windows速, and it can't really know which installed software is what.
The free upgrade offer hasn't ended!