Quick Summary: Learn how to get Windows 10 for a new PC easily! We’ll guide you through purchasing a license and installing it step-by-step. This essential guide ensures you’ll have a fresh, properly licensed Windows 10 system up and running in no time. Get your PC ready for optimal performance and security.

How To Get Windows 10: Your Essential Guide for a New PC

So, you’ve got a brand new PC, or maybe you’ve built one yourself! That’s exciting. But then comes the question: how do you get Windows 10 installed and ready to go? It’s a common hurdle, and frankly, it can feel a bit daunting when you’re staring at a blank screen. You want it done right, with a legitimate license, and without a headache. Don’t worry, I’m Mike Bentley, and I’m here to guide you through it. We’ll break down exactly how to get Windows 10 for your new PC, making sure it’s secure and ready for action. Let’s get started!

Why Getting the Right Windows 10 License Matters

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s briefly touch on the “why.” When you get Windows 10, you’re not just getting an operating system; you’re getting a gateway to your digital life. A genuine Windows license ensures you receive all the latest security updates, performance improvements, and features directly from Microsoft. This is crucial for keeping your PC safe from viruses and malware, and it guarantees your software will run smoothly. Trying to cut corners with unofficial sources can lead to security risks, instability, and legal troubles down the line. We want your new PC experience to be smooth sailing from the start!

Step 1: Acquire a Genuine Windows 10 License

This is the most important first step. You need a valid product key to activate Windows 10. Here are the primary, legitimate ways to get one:

Option A: Purchase a New Retail Copy of Windows 10

This is the most straightforward method for a new PC. You can buy a physical retail copy or a digital download directly from Microsoft or authorized retailers.

Visit the Microsoft Store: Head over to the official Microsoft Store website. Search for “Windows 10 Home” or “Windows 10 Pro” depending on your needs.
Choose Your Edition:

Windows 10 Home: Ideal for most home users. It includes all the core features you’d expect.
Windows 10 Pro: Aimed at power users and small businesses. It offers extra features like BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop, and Hyper-V.

Add to Cart and Purchase: Follow the on-screen prompts to add it to your cart and complete the purchase. You’ll receive a digital product key via email or it will be accessible in your Microsoft account.
Authorized Retailers: You can also buy licenses from reputable online or brick-and-mortar stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, etc. Ensure the seller is authorized to avoid counterfeit keys.

Option B: Check if Your New PC Came with a License

Many pre-built computers come with Windows pre-installed and licensed. In this case, the license is often tied to the hardware (an OEM license). You won’t need to buy a separate key if Windows is already activated or if you have the recovery media that came with the PC.

Look for Stickers: Older PCs might have a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker with a product key. Newer PCs usually have the license embedded in the system’s firmware (UEFI/BIOS).
Check Documentation: Review the paperwork that came with your computer. It should mention the included Windows license.

Option C: Upgrading from an Older, Eligible Version of Windows

While the free upgrade offer from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10 officially ended, many users still report success with this method for activation, especially if you have a valid license for those older versions. However, for a brand new PC, purchasing a new license is the most reliable route.

Important Note on Product Keys:

Be highly cautious of extremely cheap Windows 10 product keys sold on auction sites or unofficial marketplaces. These are often illegitimate, volume license keys that can be deactivated by Microsoft at any time, leaving your Windows unactivated and potentially vulnerable.

Step 2: Create Windows 10 Installation Media

Once you have your product key (or if your PC has an embedded license), you’ll need a way to install Windows 10. Microsoft provides a free tool for this called the Media Creation Tool.

Download the Media Creation Tool:

Go to the official Microsoft Windows 10 download page.
Look for the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section and click “Download tool now.”

Run the Tool: Once downloaded, run the Media Creation Tool. You’ll need an internet connection for this.
Accept License Terms: Read and accept the Microsoft license terms.
Choose “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”: This is crucial as you’re creating media to install on your new machine, not upgrade the current one.
Select Language, Edition, and Architecture:

The tool usually defaults to recommended options based on the PC you’re using. For a new PC, you can uncheck “Use the recommended options for this PC.”
Language: Choose your preferred language.
Edition: Select “Windows 10.” (This single option includes both Home and Pro, and you pick which one to install during setup, then activate with your key).
Architecture: Select either 64-bit (x64) or 32-bit (x86). For modern PCs, 64-bit is almost always the correct choice and recommended.

Choose Media Type:

USB flash drive: This is the most common and recommended method. You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage. All existing data on the USB drive will be erased.
ISO file: You can download an ISO file and burn it to a DVD later, or use it with virtual machine software.

Wait for the Process to Complete: The tool will download the necessary Windows 10 files and prepare your USB drive or ISO file. This can take a while depending on your internet speed.

Step 3: Configure Your PC’s BIOS/UEFI to Boot from USB/DVD

Now, you need to tell your new PC to start up from the USB drive (or DVD) you just created, rather than its internal hard drive (which is currently empty or has no OS). This is done in the BIOS or UEFI settings.

Insert the Installation Media: Plug in your Windows 10 USB drive or insert your DVD into the drive.
Restart Your New PC: Power on your new computer.
Access BIOS/UEFI: As the PC starts up, you’ll see a message like “Press DEL to enter Setup,” “Press F2 for BIOS,” or “Press F12 for Boot Menu.” The key varies by motherboard manufacturer (common keys are DEL, F2, F10, F12, or ESC). You need to press this key repeatedly as soon as you power on.
Navigate the BIOS/UEFI Menu: The interface looks different on every system, but you’re looking for a section related to “Boot,” “Boot Order,” or “Boot Priority.”
Change Boot Order:

Use your keyboard’s arrow keys to navigate.
Move your USB drive (it might be listed by its brand name or as “Removable Device”) or DVD drive to the top of the boot order list.

Save and Exit: Find the option to “Save Changes and Exit” (often F10). Your PC will restart.

Step 4: Install Windows 10

With the BIOS/UEFI configured, your PC should now boot from the installation media. Follow these on-screen prompts:

“Press any key to boot from CD or DVD…” (or USB): If you see this message, press any key on your keyboard quickly.
Windows Setup Loads: You’ll see the Windows logo and then the setup screen.
Language, Time, and Keyboard Options: Select your preferences and click “Next.”
“Install now” Button: Click this to begin the installation.
Enter Product Key: This is where you’ll enter the Windows 10 product key you purchased (or click “I don’t have a product key” if you plan to activate later after installation, especially if your license is embedded in the hardware and will be detected automatically).
Choose Operating System: If you didn’t enter a product key, you might be asked to choose between Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro. Select the version corresponding to your license.
Accept License Terms: Read and accept the Microsoft software license terms.
Choose Installation Type: Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).” This is crucial for a clean install on a new PC.
Partitioning the Drive:

You’ll see a list of drives and partitions. Since it’s a new PC, you’ll likely see “Unallocated Space” on your primary drive (e.g., Drive 0).
Select the “Unallocated Space” and click “New.” Windows will automatically create the necessary partitions (System, MSR, Primary).
Click “Apply” and then “OK” to confirm. The primary partition will be created.
Select the largest partition (the “Primary” one) and click “Next.”

Windows Installation Begins: The setup will now copy files, install features, and updates. Your PC will restart several times during this process. Important: After the first restart, remove the USB drive or eject the DVD. If you don’t, your PC might try to boot from the media again. If it does, simply restart the PC while the media is removed to let it boot from the hard drive.

Step 5: Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) Setup

Once the main installation is complete, Windows 10 will guide you through the initial setup, known as the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).

Region and Keyboard Layout: Confirm your country/region and keyboard layout.
Connect to a Network: Connect to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Account Setup:

Microsoft Account: You’ll be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account. This is recommended as it links your settings, OneDrive, and allows for easier password recovery.
Local Account: If you prefer not to use a Microsoft account, look for an option like “Offline account” or “Limited experience” (this might be hidden depending on the Windows 10 build).

Create a PIN: Set up a PIN for quicker login.
Cortana: Decide whether to enable Microsoft’s voice assistant, Cortana.
Privacy Settings: Review and adjust your privacy settings. It’s generally recommended to disable options you’re not comfortable with, like location tracking or diagnostic data sending.
Setup Complete: Windows will finalize your settings.

Step 6: Post-Installation: Drivers and Updates

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Windows 10. But we’re not quite done yet. To ensure your new PC runs perfectly, you need to install drivers and check for updates.

Install Essential Drivers

Drivers are software that allow Windows to communicate with your hardware components (graphics card, sound card, network adapter, motherboard chipset, etc.). While Windows Update often finds many drivers automatically, it’s best to get the most up-to-date ones directly from the manufacturers.

Motherboard Chipset Drivers: This is often one of the most critical. Go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website (e.g., ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock), find your specific model, and download the latest chipset drivers.
Graphics Card Drivers: If you have a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, go to their respective websites (nvidia.com or amd.com) to download the latest drivers for your specific GPU model.
Other Drivers: Check your PC or component manufacturer’s website for drivers for audio, LAN (Ethernet), Wi-Fi, and any other specialized hardware.
Device Manager: You can check for missing drivers by opening Device Manager (search for it in the Windows search bar). Any devices with a yellow exclamation mark are missing drivers or have issues.

Run Windows Update

Windows Update is your best friend for security and system stability.

Go to Settings: Click the Start button, then the gear icon for Settings.
Click “Update & Security” (or “Windows Update” in Windows 11).
Click “Check for updates”: Let Windows download and install all available updates. This may require several restarts.
Optional Drivers in Windows Update: Sometimes, Windows Update will also list optional driver updates. It’s generally safe to install these, but always prioritize drivers from manufacturer websites first described above.

Windows 10 vs. Windows 11: A Quick Look

While this guide is on Windows 10, it’s worth noting that Windows 11 is the latest version. Most methods for getting Windows 10 also apply to Windows 11. If your new PC meets the strict hardware requirements for Windows 11, you might consider installing that instead. However, Windows 10 remains a highly stable, secure, and widely compatible operating system that will be supported until October 2025.

Here’s a simplified comparison relevant to a new PC installation:

Feature	Windows 10	Windows 11
Core Functionality	Robust, mature, and billions of users rely on it.	Modern interface, enhanced performance features.
Hardware Requirements	More lenient, compatible with a wider range of older hardware.	Stricter requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, newer CPUs, etc.).
Installation Media	Created via Media Creation Tool.	Created via Media Creation Tool (updated for Win 11).
Licensing	Purchase retail key, OEM, digital license.	Purchase retail key, OEM, digital license. (Keys are often interchangeable between 10 and 11 depending on license type).
Support End Date	October 14, 2025.	Currently ongoing, expected much later than Win 10.

Tips for a Smooth Windows 10 Installation

Backup Important Data (if applicable): Even on a new PC, if you’re reusing a drive that had data, back it up first. Though for a new PC ready for a clean OS, this is less of a concern.
Stable Internet Connection: Essential for downloading the Media Creation Tool and for Windows Updates.
Power Source: Ensure laptops are plugged in, and desktop PCs have a stable power supply.
Read Prompts Carefully: Setup screens offer choices that affect your installation. Take your time.
Have Your Product Key Ready: Keep it accessible to avoid interruptions.
Be Patient: Installing an operating system takes time. Don’t rush it or interrupt the process.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the process is generally smooth, here are a couple of common hiccups:

PC Won’t Boot from USB/DVD: Double-check your BIOS/UEFI boot order. Ensure you’re pressing the correct key to enter BIOS. Try a different USB port or a different USB drive.
“No Compatible Devices Found” Error During Partitioning: This can happen if Windows doesn’t have the necessary storage controller drivers (especially with newer NVMe SSDs or RAID configurations). You might need to download these drivers from your motherboard manufacturer’s website onto a separate USB, and then when you are at the “Where do you want to install Windows?” screen, click “Load driver” and browse to them.

How To Get Windows 10: Essential Guide