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how to install windows 10 in laptop online

I’ve got some good news for you – you don’t need a product key to install and use Windows 10! Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free and install it without a product key. Of course, there are some minor cosmetic limitations, but I’ll walk you through the process and show you how to upgrade to a licensed version later if you want. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through downloading Windows 10, installing it without a key, and exploring the few restrictions that come with an unactivated copy.

Downloading Windows 10

how to install windows 10 in laptop online

Before we investigate the installation process, we need to download Windows 10. Fortunately, Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free, without a product key, to install on a PC or a virtual machine.

Downloading from Microsoft

Little do people know, you can download Windows 10 directly from Microsoft’s website without a product key. This is a great option if you want to install Windows 10 on a PC or virtual machine.

Using the Windows 10 download tool

Likewise, you can use the Windows 10 download tool, which runs on Windows systems, to create a USB drive to install Windows 10 or download the ISO. This tool is particularly useful if you’re already running Windows. how to install windows 10 in laptop online

Downloading the Windows 10 ISO using the download tool is a straightforward process. Simply run the tool, select the edition of Windows 10 you want to download, and choose whether you want to create a USB drive or download the ISO. The tool will take care of the rest, providing you with a bootable USB drive or a downloadable ISO file.

Downloading an ISO directly

For those who aren’t on Windows, you can visit the Windows 10 ISO download page to download an ISO directly. This is a great option if you’re installing Windows 10 in Boot Camp on a Mac or creating a virtual machine.

To download an ISO directly, simply visit the Windows 10 ISO download page and select the edition of Windows 10 you want to download. You’ll then be prompted to select your language and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). Once you’ve made your selections, you can download the ISO file, which you can then use to create a bootable USB drive or install Windows 10 on a virtual machine.

Installing Windows 10 Without a Key

Any Windows user can download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft for free, without a license key, to install on a PC or a virtual machine.

I’m going to walk you through the process of installing Windows 10 without a product key. Keep in mind that while this method allows you to install and use Windows 10, it does come with some cosmetic limitations.

Starting the installation process

An important note before we begin: you don’t need a product key to download Windows 10. Simply head to the Microsoft website, download the Windows 10 ISO, and create a bootable USB drive or DVD. Then, boot from the installation media and follow the prompts to start the installation process.

As you begin the installation process, you’ll be asked to enter your product key so you can “Activate Windows.” However, you can simply click the “I don’t have a product key” link at the bottom of the window and Windows will allow you to continue the installation process.

Skipping the product key entry

how to install windows 10 in laptop online

With this option, you can bypass the product key entry screen and continue with the installation process. If you’re prompted to enter a product key later in the process, just look for a similar small link to skip that screen.

It’s worth noting that if you don’t see this option, you can also provide a KMS client setup key to continue. These keys won’t give you an activated copy of Windows unless you’re in an organization with a Key Management Service, but they will allow you to get through the Windows installation process.

Choosing the Windows 10 version

Choosing the Windows 10 version

An important decision you’ll need to make during the installation process is which version of Windows 10 to install. You can choose between “Windows 10 Home” and “Windows 10 Pro.” Bear in mind that if you plan to pay to upgrade to the paid version later, it’ll be cheaper to upgrade to Windows 10 Home, so you may want to install the Home version.

Plus, regardless of which version you choose, Windows 10 will install normally, and you can always upgrade to a licensed version later if you decide to do so.

The Cosmetic Limitations

After you’ve installed Windows 10 without a key, it won’t actually be activated. However, an unactivated version of Windows 10 doesn’t have many restrictions.

Watermark and nag prompts

Even though I won’t notice a difference initially, eventually, Windows will start nagging me a tiny bit. First, I’ll notice a watermark in the bottom-right corner of my screen. I’ll also see a “Windows isn’t activated. Activate Windows now.” link at the bottom of the Settings app. This is the only form of nag I’ll see – there are no pop-up windows, for example.

Limited personalization options

One of the limitations I’ll face is that I won’t be able to change my desktop wallpaper and other cosmetic options from the Personalization > Background screen in the Settings app. I’ll see a “You need to activate Windows before you can personalize your PC” message at the top of this window, and the options for changing my wallpaper will be grayed out.

Plus, I won’t be able to switch between light and dark mode, or change accent colors. These limitations may not be a big deal for some users, but for those who like to customize their desktop experience, it can be frustrating.

Workarounds for changing wallpaper

If I want to change my wallpaper, I can still do so in other ways. For example, I can right-click an image in File Explorer and select “Set as desktop background.” I could also open an image in the Photos app, click the menu button, click “Set as,” and click “Set as background.”

Prompts to activate Windows won’t appear when I use these workarounds, but I’ll still see the watermark in the bottom-right corner of my screen. It’s worth noting that Windows 10 doesn’t seem to revert back to a black background like Windows 7 did.

Upgrading to an Activated Version

To upgrade to an activated version of Windows 10, you’ll need to purchase a Windows license from the Microsoft Store. Fortunately, this process is relatively straightforward.

Purchasing a Windows license from the Store

If you’re running an unactivated copy of Windows 10, you can easily purchase a license from the Microsoft Store. Simply open the Settings app, navigate to Update & Security > Activation, and click the “Go to Store” button. From there, you can buy a Windows 10 Home license for $120 or a Windows 10 Pro license for $200.

Activating your PC

Clearly, purchasing a Windows license is the easiest way to activate your PC. Once you’ve made the purchase, your Windows installation will be activated immediately, and you’ll no longer see the “Activate Windows” watermark or receive reminders to activate your OS.

Understanding the activation process is important, as it ensures that you’re getting a legitimate copy of Windows 10. When you purchase a license, you’re necessaryly buying a digital key that unlocks the full features of Windows 10. This key is tied to your Microsoft account, so you can easily reactivate your OS if you need to reinstall Windows in the future. Youtube

Pricing and availability

Store prices for Windows 10 licenses vary depending on your location and the version you choose. In the US, the Home edition costs $120, while the Pro edition costs $200. Keep in mind that prices may differ in other countries or regions.

Your location also affects the availability of certain features and updates. For example, some features may be exclusive to specific regions or languages. Be sure to check the Microsoft Store for the most up-to-date pricing and availability information in your area.

To Wrap Up how to install windows 10 in laptop online

Now that you’ve made it through this guide, you should have a good understanding of how to install Windows 10 on your laptop online without a product key. I’ve walked you through the process of downloading the Windows 10 ISO, creating a USB drive, and installing Windows 10 without activation. You’ve also learned about the cosmetic limitations of an unactivated copy of Windows 10 and how to upgrade to a licensed version later. Bear in mind, you can use Windows 10 without a key for as long as you want, and it’ll keep working with only a few minor restrictions. Happy installing!

What are the system requirements for installing Windows 10?

system requirements for installing Windows 10?

To install Windows 10, your device must meet the following minimum requirements:
Processor: 1 GHz or faster compatible processor
RAM: 1 GB for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS or 20 GB for 64-bit OS
Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
Display: 800×600 resolution

How can I create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10 installation?

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website.
Run the tool and select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”.
Choose the language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
Select “USB flash drive” as the media to use and follow the on-screen instructions to create the bootable USB drive.

How do I install Windows 10 using a bootable USB drive?

Insert the bootable USB drive into your PC.
Restart your PC and press the appropriate key (often F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
Save the settings and restart your PC.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows 10 installation process.

What should I do if the Windows 10 installation process gets stuck?

If the installation process gets stuck:
Ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements.
Disconnect all peripheral devices (external drives, printers, etc.) except for the keyboard and mouse.
Restart the installation process.
If the issue persists, create a new bootable USB drive using the Media Creation Tool and try again.

How do I activate Windows 10 after installation?

To activate Windows 10:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
If you have a product key, select Change product key and enter the 25-character code.
If your device was previously activated with a digital license, it should activate automatically once connected to the internet.

Vivek Shewale

Vivek Shewale is a seasoned tech expert with 10 years of experience in web development, Android app development, tech blogging, and YouTube content creation. He excels in building user-friendly websites and high-performing mobile applications, sharing his deep knowledge through insightful blogs and engaging video tutorials. Vivek’s passion for technology and commitment to education have established him as a trusted figure in the tech community. His work not only demonstrates his technical prowess but also his ability to make complex tech topics accessible and interesting for a broad audience.

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