Windows Official Downloads: Direct Links for 7, 8, and 10

The straightforward answer used to be “go to Microsoft’s download page and grab the ISO” — but that page has changed a lot, and what’s actually available directly from Microsoft is different for each of these three versions as of 2026. Here’s where things actually stand.

Windows 10

Still directly downloadable from Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page, via either the Media Creation Tool (builds a bootable USB/DVD or ISO) or the Update Assistant (upgrades an existing install in place). The catch: Windows 10 reached the end of free support on 14 October 2025, so a fresh Windows 10 install today gets no security updates out of the box unless you enrol it in Extended Security Updates (ESU). Microsoft’s consumer ESU program covers Windows 10 22H2 through 12 October 2027, and you can enrol for free (by syncing your PC settings/OneDrive), by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or with a one-time $30 payment. If you’re setting up Windows 10 for anything other than a short-term or offline use case, budget for that ESU enrolment or plan the Windows 11 upgrade instead.

Windows 8 / 8.1

No longer available as a direct download. Microsoft’s software download hub now only links Windows 8.1 through to its lifecycle/end-of-support page rather than an installer — there’s no official ISO or Media Creation Tool for it any more. If you need to reinstall Windows 8.1 on an existing licensed machine, your realistic options are: the OEM recovery partition or recovery media that shipped with the PC, a previously-downloaded ISO you already have on hand, or (for business licensing) the Volume Licensing Service Center if the license was obtained that way. Windows 8.1 itself reached end of support back in January 2024, so treat any reinstall as a stopgap, not a long-term plan.

Windows 7

Same situation as 8.1, just further along — Windows 7 hit end of support in January 2020 and Microsoft removed it from the software download portal some time ago. There is no official Microsoft page to download a Windows 7 ISO from any more. Recovery partitions/media, a Volume Licensing agreement, or an ISO you already own are the only legitimate routes left; running Windows 7 online today, patched or not, carries real risk given how long it’s gone without security updates. If you have any questions or comments on this guide, please feel free to leave us a message below using our comments system.