How long does it take to download Windows 10

A doubt on many users looking forward to upgrading is how long it takes to install windows 10. And, its answer, in short, is, windows installation time can vary from 15 minutes to 4 hours according to file size and internet speed.

We have all had to deal with those impromptu computer shut-downs brought on by forced feature updates. In trying to keep your personal computer running as smoothly as possible, we chase updates that may leave traces of the old operating system to cause problems and slow us down.

Watching the updates in progress go from 35% complete back down to 19% complete, is enough to make a person want to throw the whole system against the wall.

For those of us whose work depends on access to a computer, those all-day downloads can be frustrating and stressful.

How long does it take for windows 10 to download

Luckily a clean Windows installation takes only 2-4 hours depending on the processing power of your machine. And, we have put together a guide to help you breeze through these steps.

This guide and a blank DVD or USB flash drive will be all you need to get your computer back online and running smoothly with a ‘factory fresh’ version of Windows 10.

How long to install windows 10

Step One: Windows Upgrade

The only problem here is that you cannot run a clean installation of Windows 10 unless you have performed an upgrade installation media on your current operating system. To make sure that Windows 10 is activated you have to follow these steps:

  1. Start
  2. Now, go to Settings
  3. Update & security
  4. Activation

In the top right corner of the screen, you will notice “Activation: Windows is activated.” Do not proceed until you see this. Windows 10 needs to be activated before you continue.

Next, you should find out which version of Windows 10 you are already using. You’ll see the edition of Windows 10 you have in the top right corner of your screen above the “Activation: Windows is activated” line.

You will also want to search “System” to see if you are using the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Step Two: Download Windows 10

Now you will need to go to the Microsoft Windows 10 page and click the “Download tool now” button. The download will be around 2.5GB and will need to get copied to a blank DVD or USB flash drive for the installation. You will see a file downloaded called the “media creation tool.”

Once you open the media creation tool and allow it to make changes to your computer, a Windows 10 setup window will appear. Make sure to click “Create installation media for another PC” and hit the Next button.

Step Three: Pick your Preferences

The following screen will have you choose your preferred Language, Edition, and Architecture (either 32-bit or 64-bit depending on your previous system). Make sure not to select one of the N editions (they opt out of the Windows Media Player) and hit Next to continue.

Step Four: how to install windows 10 from USB or DVD

The next screen will ask you which media to use, which is where you will select either the USB flash drive you already have plugged into your computer or the ISO files option for burning it to your blank DVD.

After clicking Next, you will select either the USB flash drive or a folder on your PC (depending on which tool you decided to use) to store the Windows 10 setup files. Click Next.

(If you chose the DVD ISO file you now need to burn the file to a DVD before you can use it to boot up your PC).

Step Five: Installation; How long to install windows 10

After you use Windows 10 to boot your PC choose the Install now option. You can go ahead and skip the request for a product key to activate Windows 10. The first two steps of this guide upgraded you to Windows 10 without the use of a product key.

Step Six: Clean Installation

To continue with a clean install, you will need to click “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” on the next screen. This click will delete everything on your existing Windows 10 drive, so make sure to back up your files before going further.

Doing this, it will keep remnants from the old processing system from slowing down or causing problems with your computer after the download is complete.

Step Seven: Hard Drive Partition

The next step is to choose the hard drive partition on which you want to install Windows 10. If you are not familiar with the different options, it should get labeled as whatever your old processing system was.

If this does not apply to you, it should also be the largest option listed. If you are still unsure option to select, please seek help before going any further.

If you are confident you have chosen the right partition, click the Format option. When the warning dialogue box appears, click ‘OK’ and then Next when the drive format is complete.

Step Eight: Product Key

By moving on to the next screen, you will have started the Windows 10 installation. When it is almost complete, it will again provide you an opportunity to input a product key—click the Do this later option as your clean installation does not require a product key. Complete the rest of the setup.

Step Nine: Check Activation

Once Windows 10 is installed you will need to make sure it has been activated. To do this, you will need to go to:

  1. Start
  2. Setting
  3. Update & security
  4. Activation.

You may need to click the Activate button at this point. Keep in mind that activation requires internet access.

Step Ten: Any Problems?

Using these steps to upgrade to Windows 10 is free, and allows you to bypass needing an install disk or a product key. At this point, activation should complete successfully, and you can continue to reinstall your applications and copy back your documents.

If there were any problems with the activation, however, you will need to contact Microsoft and ask for an activation code after explaining the issue to them. While this can be inconvenient, it should be a straightforward fix as long as your previous Windows 10 installation was activated.

Wrap UP

Putting your computer through a quick upgrade may be more familiar, but comes with possible system issues and may even cost you more time.

By putting in the effort for a clean installation, you make sure your laptop is free from the remnants of outdated operating systems that could slow it down or cause more serious; glitches.

And while other systems: may cost you, this method of installation is well worth the cost of a blank USB drive or DVD disk.

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