Windows 10 - the latest and greatest operating system from Microsoft - has just launched, and in a much-publicised move users of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 are eligible for a free upgrade to the new paradigm. Currently the upgrade process is going out in waves, prioritising those who opted-in early and with simple systems in order to balance the load on activation and driver update servers, and that's causing some chagrin for those who want in on the ground floor. Thankfully there is a way to skip the queues and create install media whilst you're at it.
Located at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 is the Windows 10 media creation tool. By following a simple set of steps you can download all the data you require to upgrade your current Windows installation, make that upgrade, and even create an ISO for later installation/reinstallation of Windows 10. Microsoft makes the following suggestions before you begin:
Make sure you have:
- An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
- Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.
- A blank USB or DVD (and DVD burner) with at least 4 GB of space if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted.
- Read the System Requirements.
- If you will be installing the operating system for the first time, you will need your Windows product key (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx). For more information about product keys and when they are required, visit the FAQ page.
- An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
- Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.
- A blank USB or DVD (and DVD burner) with at least 4 GB of space if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted.
- Read the System Requirements.
- If you will be installing the operating system for the first time, you will need your Windows product key (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx). For more information about product keys and when they are required, visit the FAQ page.
Members of the /r/Windows10 subreddit have collectively sussed out the best way to make a clean installation with the tool, rather than rely on the vagaries of the in-situ update*. If you're looking to make a fresh start we recommend that you peruse that thread, and indeed the whole subreddit for a trove of hints and tips.
A fresh Windows 10 installation will have a footprint of approximately 15GB on your HDD or SSD, so older 60GB SSDs should be more than adequate as a OS drive for the foreseeable future. To take advantage of SSD speeds in the latest games a 120GB or better yet 240GB SSD would be more appropriate.
* Note that any install media you create will still require a valid Windows 10 product key, which can only be acquired with a new Windows 10 license or going through the Upgrading and Activation process on a Windows 7/8/8.1 system.
