Official Windows 10 / 8.1 / 7 ISO Installation Media Download Links (Microsoft Tech Bench)

Microsoft allows consumers to download Windows 7 ISO, Windows 8.1 ISO and Windows 10 ISO from its server. The official way that Microsoft advertised is by downloading the respective version of Media Creation Tool (MCT), and let the tool download and create the actual Windows ISO files.

Media Creation Tool itself does not contain any Windows installation files, not to mention the ISO. What it does is to determine the need of the user, and then download the setup files or ISO image accordingly. Everything is done in the background, and you don’t have control on the download process. You also cannot use third party download manager to download the ISO to have better control, such as ability to pause and resume downloads.

Microsoft has a lesser known web page for Windows 10 Tech Bench Upgrade Program which provides documentations, scripts, tools and various Windows 10 ISO images for retailers and service providers to provide support for those upgrading to Windows 10, data migration services to help people move files from old PCs to new PCs, and experience stations where people can try out Windows 10.

As the web page is public, everybody can use the Windows 10 Tech Bench Upgrade Program web page to generate download links to generate Windows 10 ISOs directly, without MCT. Officially, the following editions of ISO files are available for download:

• Windows 10
• Windows 10 KN
• Windows 10 N
• Windows 10 Single Language

Both Windows 10 Home and Windows Pro editions are available in all Windows 10 ISOs, which will be determined during installation or activation time based on product key.

What’s hidden on the source code of Windows 10 Tech Bench Upgrade Program web page is the ability to generate download links of various editions of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 ISO images. WZor, the famous Russian hacker and leaker, has published a hack script which reveals all available ISO files for download.

This tutorial shows you how to download Windows 10 ISO (or Windows 8.1 ISO and Windows 7 ISO) via official Microsoft direct download links.

Refer to table below for the SKU ID of the Windows product that you want to download, and affix them to the following URL to paste into web browser address bar to generate the direct download links from Microsoft server:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/api/controls/contentinclude/html?pageId=cfa9e580-a81e-4a4b-a846-7b21bf4e2e5b&host=www.microsoft.com&segments=software-download,windows10ISO&query=&action=GetProductDownloadLinksBySku&skuId=

For example, to download Windows 10 Anniversary Update v.1607 RS1 Build 14393 English, enter the following URL:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/api/controls/contentinclude/html?pageId=cfa9e580-a81e-4a4b-a846-7b21bf4e2e5b&host=www.microsoft.com&segments=software-download,windows10ISO&query=&action=GetProductDownloadLinksBySku&skuId=3864

Both 32-bit and 64-bit of the ISO images are presented for download, and the direct download links will expire some time in future.

It’s also possible to get direct download links to ISO images using the file name with the following URL with the full file name of the ISO appended to the end:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/api/controls/contentinclude/html?pageId=160bb813-f54e-4e9f-bffc-38c6eb56e061&host=www.microsoft.com&segments=software-download%2cwindows10&query=&action=GetProductDownloadLinkForFriendlyFileName&friendlyFileName=

However, the return data in CDATA format from Microsoft is not parsed into proper HTML. Thus unless a script is written to parse the array into proper HTML format, we can view the page source of the HTML page to get the download link. Most web browser uses “view-source:” to return the source code of HTML page. Hence we can input it directly into the address bar to view the HTML source directly.

The following example shows the URL to return the direct download link to 32-bit Windows 10 Creators Update v.1703 RS2 Build 15063 English ISO:

view-source:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/api/controls/contentinclude/html?pageId=160bb813-f54e-4e9f-bffc-38c6eb56e061&host=www.microsoft.com&segments=software-download%2cwindows10&query=&action=GetProductDownloadLinkForFriendlyFileName&friendlyFileName=
Windows10_InsiderPreview_Client_x32_en-us_15063.iso

Locate the download link quoted after the uri variable.

Legacy Method

To download Windows 10 ISO (or Windows 8.1 ISO and Windows 7 ISO through the hack script), follow these steps:

1. Visit the Windows 10 Tech Bench Upgrade Program web page at https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/techbench.
   The trick may also work in the following Microsoft’s web pages that provide downloads of ISOs:

   https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windowsiot
   https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso
   https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewadvanced
   https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10ISO
   https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8ISO

2. In Chrome, hit Ctrl + Shift + J to open the Console.

   In Firefox, hit Ctrl + Shift + K to open the Web Console (may need to type Allow Pasting before proceeding).

   In IE or Edge, hit F2 to open Developer Tools and go to Console.

3. Copy and paste the following JavaScript into the JS console, and execute it:

   var _0x5c09=["product-edition","getElementById","innerHTML","<option value=''>Select edition</option>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 7 with SP1 (Build 7601.17514)'>\
   	<option value='2'>Windows 7 Home Basic with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='4'>Windows 7 Professional with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='6'>Windows 7 Home Premium with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='8'>Windows 7 Ultimate with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='10'>Windows 7 Home Premium N with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='12'>Windows 7 Professional N with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='14'>Windows 7 Ultimate N with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='16'>Windows 7 Professional K with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='18'>Windows 7 Professional KN with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='20'>Windows 7 Home Premium K with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='22'>Windows 7 Home Premium KN with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='24'>Windows 7 Ultimate KN with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='26'>Windows 7 Ultimate K with SP1</option>\
   	<option value='28'>Windows 7 Starter with SP1</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 8.1 with Update 3 (Build 9600.17483)'>\
   	<option value='48'>Windows 8.1 Single Language with Update 3</option>\
   	<option value='52'>Windows 8.1 Multi with Update 3</option>\
   	<option value='55'>Windows 8.1 Multi N with Update 3</option>\
   	<option value='61'>Windows 8.1 Multi K with Update 3</option>\
   	<option value='62'>Windows 8.1 Multi KN with Update 3</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 8.1 with Update 1 (Build 9600.17031)'>\
   	<option value='68'>Windows 8.1 Professional LE with Update 1</option>\
   	<option value='69'>Windows 8.1 Professional LE K with Update 1</option>\
   	<option value='70'>Windows 8.1 Professional LE KN with Update 1</option>\
   	<option value='71'>Windows 8.1 Professional LE N with Update 1</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 10 Threshold 1 (Build 10240.16384)'>\
   	<option value='75'>Windows 10 Education (Build 10240)</option>\
   	<option value='76'>Windows 10 Education KN (Build 10240)</option>\
   	<option value='77'>Windows 10 Education N (Build 10240)</option>\
   	<option value='78'>Windows 10 China Get Genuine Chinese Simplified (Build 10240)</option>\
   	<option value='79'>Windows 10 Multi (Build 10240)</option>\
   	<option value='80'>Windows 10 Multi KN (Build 10240)</option>\
   	<option value='81'>Windows 10 Multi N (Build 10240)</option>\
   	<option value='82'>Windows 10 Single Language (Build 10240)</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 7 with SP1 (Build 7601.17514) COEM'>\
   	<option value='83'>Windows 7 Home Basic with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='85'>Windows 7 Home Basic with SP1 COEM GGK</option>\
   	<option value='86'>Windows 7 Home Premium N with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='87'>Windows 7 Home Premium with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='88'>Windows 7 Home Premium with SP1 COEM GGK</option>\
   	<option value='89'>Windows 7 Home Premium K with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='90'>Windows 7 Professional N with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='91'>Windows 7 Professional with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='92'>Windows 7 Starter with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='93'>Windows 7 Ultimate K with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='94'>Windows 7 Ultimate KN with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='95'>Windows 7 Ultimate N with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='96'>Windows 7 Ultimate with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='97'>Windows 7 Home Premium KN with SP1 COEM</option>\
   	<option value='98'>Windows 7 Professional KN with SP1 COEM</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 10 Threshold 2 Version 1511 (Build 10586.0)'>\
   	<option value='99'>Windows 10 Multi 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   	<option value='100'>Windows 10 Education 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   	<option value='101'>Windows 10 Education KN 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   	<option value='102'>Windows 10 Education N 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   	<option value='103'>Windows 10 China Get Genuine Chinese Simplified 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   	<option value='104'>Windows 10 Multi KN 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   	<option value='105'>Windows 10 Multi N 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   	<option value='106'>Windows 10 Single Language 1511 (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 10 IoT Core Threshold 2 (Build 10586.0)'>\
   	<option value='107'>Windows 10 IoT Core (Build 10586.0)</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 10 Threshold 2 Version 1511 (Build 10586.103) - Feb 2016 Update'>\
   	<option value='109'>Windows 10 Multi 1511 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   	<option value='110'>Windows 10 Education 1511 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   	<option value='111'>Windows 10 Education KN 1511 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   	<option value='112'>Windows 10 Education N 1511 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   	<option value='113'>Windows 10 China Get Genuine Chinese Simplified 1511 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   	<option value='114'>Windows 10 Multi KN 1511 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   	<option value='115'>Windows 10 Multi N 1511 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   	<option value='116'>Windows 10 Single Language 1511 Feb 2016 (Build 10586.103)</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 10 Threshold 2 Version 1511 (Build 10586.162) - April 2016 Update'>\
   	<option value='178'>Windows 10 Multi 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   	<option value='179'>Windows 10 Education 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   	<option value='180'>Windows 10 Education KN 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   	<option value='181'>Windows 10 Education N 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   	<option value='182'>Windows 10 KN 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   	<option value='183'>Windows 10 N 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   	<option value='184'>Windows 10 Single Language 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   	<option value='185'>Windows 10 China Get Genuine Chinese Simplified 1511 (Build 10586.162)</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   <optgroup label='Windows 10 Redstone 1 Version 1607 (Build 14393.0)'>\
   	<option value='242'>Windows 10 Education 1607 (Build 14393)</option>\
   	<option value='243'>Windows 10 Education N 1607 (Build 14393)</option>\
   	<option value='244'>Windows 10 Multi 1607 (Build 14393)</option>\
   	<option value='245'>Windows 10 N 1607 (Build 14393)</option>\
   	<option value='246'>Windows 10 Single Language 1607 (Build 14393)</option>\
   	<option value='247'>Windows 10 China GEt Genuine Chinese Simplified 1607 (Build 14393)</option>\
   </optgroup>\
   ","backgroundColor","style","white","color","default","fontFamily","default","submit-product-edition","Confirm","Visit https://techjourney.net/official-windows-10-8-1-7-iso-installation-media-download-links-microsoft-tech-bench/ for more details!","log"],_0x1d62=[_0x5c09[0],_0x5c09[1],_0x5c09[2],_0x5c09[3],_0x5c09[4],_0x5c09[5],_0x5c09[6],_0x5c09[7],_0x5c09[8],_0x5c09[9],_0x5c09[10],_0x5c09[11],_0x5c09[12]],edititonbox=document[_0x1d62[1]](_0x1d62[0]);edititonbox[_0x1d62[2]]=_0x1d62[3],edititonbox[_0x1d62[5]][_0x1d62[4]]=_0x1d62[6],edititonbox[_0x1d62[5]][_0x1d62[7]]=_0x1d62[8],edititonbox[_0x1d62[5]][_0x1d62[9]]=_0x1d62[10],document[_0x1d62[1]](_0x1d62[11])[_0x1d62[2]]=_0x1d62[12],console[_0x5c09[14]](_0x5c09[13]);

   

   Alternatively, you can visit github.com for a full listing of all downloads and languages available, with links to directly generate the valid download links from Microsoft for Windows and Office products.

4. You can now select all Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 ISO images that are officially available for download from Microsoft.

   

5. Select the edition that you want to download and hit Confirm.
6. Select the product language that you want to download and hit Confirm.

   

   English is for en-US edition and English International is for en-GB edition.
7. Click on the link of 32-bit Download or 64-bit Download to start downloading the ISO. Links valid for 24 hours from time of creation.