How do I get Windows 10 for free?

[CreativeName642]

I know it's possible, but how do I do it? Replacing mobo in current computer so I need a new copy.

[minibois]

Just now, CreativeName642 said:

I know it's possible, but how do I do it? Replacing mobo in current computer so I need a new copy.

You can download the installer for free and install it for free, then you will need a license key which are not free (unless you get them from school/work or something).

[Fasauceome]

you can just use Windows without a license. Granted, it'll put that annoying little water mark in the bottom right corner, but you get used to it pretty fast.

 

Otherwise, just buy a super cheap key from eBay. 

2 minutes ago, CreativeName642 said:

Replacing mobo in current computer so I need a new copy.

Do you not know your current license code? Did you get rid of it?

[CreativeName642]

Just now, minibois said:

You can download the installer for free and install it for free, then you will need a license key which are not free (unless you get them from school/work or something).

Well I want a full copy, licensed and everything.

[minibois]

1 minute ago, CreativeName642 said:

Well I want a full copy, licensed and everything.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-10-home/d76qx4bznwk4?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

There you go!

As you can see, not free.

 

Unless you can transfer your license from your old board

[CreativeName642]

1 minute ago, minibois said:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-10-home/d76qx4bznwk4?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

There you go!

As you can see, not free.

Ok. Were previous versions free?

[Dedayog]

Just now, CreativeName642 said:

Well I want a full copy, licensed and everything.

 

1 minute ago, Fasauceome said:

you can just use Windows without a license. Granted, it'll put that annoying little water mark in the bottom right corner, but you get used to it pretty fast.

 

Otherwise, just buy a super cheap key from eBay. 

Do you not know your current license code? Did you get rid of it?

Find your current license as @Fasauceome mentioned, it may be tied to your email possibly.

[LOLZR]

Quote

Well I want a full copy, licensed and everything.

Quote

Windows 10 for free?

 

Can do one of these, but not both.

[minibois]

1 minute ago, CreativeName642 said:

Ok. Were previous versions free?

Nope, Windows has never been free.

Unless of course you count things like getting it for free from school/work. Of course with devices like pre-builts and laptops, the price of Windows is baked into the pricing of the device, so it has the appearance of being free.

 

if you have a license now, what I did the last time was just log into my Microsoft account on that PC, log in with that same account on the new PC (new board) and just ticked the box 'I changed my hardware'  and I was done.

[CreativeName642]

1 minute ago, minibois said:

Nope, Windows has never been free.

I thought it was. Guess not. I'll try to find my old license.

[Dedayog]

3 minutes ago, CreativeName642 said:

I thought it was. Guess not. I'll try to find my old license.

You can buy OEM/grey keys from sites like scdkey, g2a, kinguin, etc. for $10-$15.

[Niklos]

7 minutes ago, CreativeName642 said:

I thought it was. Guess not. I'll try to find my old license.

Windows 10 was free back in the day if (and only if) you had a Windows 7/8 licence previously.

[aisle9]

18 minutes ago, CreativeName642 said:

Well I want a full copy, licensed and everything.

To quote the greatest houseplant in the history of extraterrestrial houseplants, "Tough titty."

 

Your options:

1. Run it free indefinitely with the watermark (and a few other minor restrictions)

2. Buy a cheap-ass gray market key online for anywhere from $3 to $15, depending on source.

3. Buy a decommissioned workstation like a broken Optiplex with Windows 10 on it, tie it to your Microsoft ID then install W10 on your other PC and select the "I've changed my hardware" option.

4. Buy a PC with a Windows 7 sticker cheap at a yard sale, then activate 10 with that 7 key and cross your fingers that it still takes.

[Lurick]

11 minutes ago, aisle9 said:

To quote the greatest houseplant in the history of extraterrestrial houseplants, "Tough titty."

 

Your options:

1. Run it free indefinitely with the watermark (and a few other minor restrictions)

2. Buy a cheap-ass gray market key online for anywhere from $3 to $15, depending on source.

3. Buy a decommissioned workstation like a broken Optiplex with Windows 10 on it, tie it to your Microsoft ID then install W10 on your other PC and select the "I've changed my hardware" option.

4. Buy a PC with a Windows 7 sticker cheap at a yard sale, then activate 10 with that 7 key and cross your fingers that it still takes.

5. Link your existing key to your Microsoft account for free which will transfer between hardware swaps in most cases.

[PyroTheWise]

If you know anybody in college, MS has a program that gives out free Windows 10 Education licenses.  According to the articles I have read, these are full featured no watermark Windows 10 versions.  FYI - not all colleges are supported.  Here is an article explaining some of the ways being discussed here in more detail:

 

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/get-windows-10-free-or-cheap,5717.html

[aisle9]

3 minutes ago, Lurick said:

5. Link your existing key to your Microsoft account for free which will transfer between hardware swaps in most cases.

I got the distinct impression that OP didn't have one of those and just wants us to tell them where to get W10 free.

[Lurick]

1 minute ago, aisle9 said:

I got the distinct impression that OP didn't have one of those and just wants us to tell them where to get W10 free.

Yah, hard to tell because if they have a current computer and are swapping a board I wasn't 100% if they wanted to get a new copy because they didn't have one or not.

[Constantin]

Download Windows, install them. make an account when prompted.

Windows will run just fine, but with a black screen with a logo instead of a wallpaper 

[GrockleTD]

5 minutes ago, Constantin said:

Windows will run just fine, but with a black screen with a logo instead of a wallpaper

Actually, you can still change your wallpaper. (At least in the US)