How to Download Windows 10 From Iso File

Infopackets Reader Perry F. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I have two laptops with Windows 7 that I would like to upgrade to Windows 10. From what I understand, I can use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to download Windows 10 in an .ISO file format. When that is done downloading, I would then burn the .ISO disc image file onto a DVD, then use the DVD to install Windows 10 onto my machines. The problem however is that I don't have a DVD drive on either laptop - so how can I use the .ISO format to install Windows 10? "

My response:

In a nutshell, an ISO file is an exact copy of an entire CD or DVD, placed into a single file to make it easily portable. An ISO file makes it very easy to download an entire CD or DVD from the Internet in a similar manner as to how .ZIP files operate.

When it comes to using an .ISO file, you have 3 options:

1. You can burn the .ISO file to DVD, and keep the DVD permanently to be used whenever you need it - this is the intended use. Obviously, if you don't have a CD or DVD burner, then you will have to use options #2 and #3 below.
   
2. Instead of burning the .ISO to DVD, you can use a program called Rufus which allows you to use a USB thumb drive instead of a DVD to create the disc image. You could then install Windows 10 from the USB thumb drive via the desktop, or boot off the thumb drive as if it were a DVD - but only if your computer supports booting from USB.
   
3. If you intend to upgrade to Windows 10 from within the Windows 7 or 8 desktop environment, you don't need a DVD or USB thumb drive; instead, you can mount the .ISO image file using "virtual DVD software", which emulates a DVD drive. This effectively takes the .ISO file and reads it as if it were a real DVD, which is then accessible via My Computer (or "This PC"). My favorite program for doing this is Daemon Tools Lite (free) - just be careful when installing this program as the setup file comes bundled with extra junk software. Another program I use is WinCDEmu; it's very light weight and easy to use. To use it, simply right click over top of the ISO file and then mount a drive letter. To remove the virtual drive, right click the drive letter via My Computer or This PC and 'eject' the disc.

I hope that helps.

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About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat service (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.

How to Download Windows 10 From Iso File

Source: https://www.infopackets.com/news/9798/3-ways-install-windows-10-using-iso-file-or-without-dvd-burner

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