Can I download Windows 10 and save it to install at a later date?

Windows 10 must be installed and activated before the deadline, Friday 29th (for me it's today!). If installed later you have to pay for license.

This is speculation but most of us geeks deeply involved in Windows think that this scenario works:

Windows 10 activation is called digital entitlement. Whenever later on you have to reinstall from scratch, clean install, you will not need any product key; Windows activation servers recognize the hardware signature and as long as hardware has not changed, it will be automatically activated.

Therefore, according to everything MS has told us, this works:

• Upgrade to 10, see it's activated. If yes, it has the digital entitlement
• Roll back to old OS: Windows 10 - Go Back to Previous Windows - Windows 10 Forums
• Later on when you are ready to upgrade, download Windows 10 ISO and upgrade

Notice that we will only know for 100% sure if this really works starting from Saturday when first geeks try this.

Kari

pjb346 said:

I am reluctant to give up my Windows 7professional and install Windows 10 and yet I fear that upgrade support for my current OS will eventually end. Is it possible to download and save Windows 10 and then install it next month or next year? I probably waited too long to ask this, but if an answer is available I will be grateful. Thank you for the answer.

You could download a backup imaging software like Macrium Reflect Free, image your Windows 7 installation with that, then after doing that upgrade it to Windows 10. That'll activate it for you. Then you can just restore your Windows 7 from the backup you made, and you'll be back to where you were and entitled to upgrade to Windows 10 at a future date.