PSA: How to Download the Windows 10 1903 ISO from MS, without the Media Creation Tool

[btarunr]

When visiting the Microsoft ISO Disc Image Download Page using a desktop PC, Microsoft will force you to use the Media Creation Tool to get the ISO. A direct download is not available, or you can use the Upgrade Assistant, to upgrade your current running system. This complicates things if you just want to grab the Windows 10 ISO image quickly, without jumping through Microsoft's hoops.

We have learned, that when you make your web-browser render the Windows 10 installation media download page as a mobile device, which obviously doesn't support running the Windows-based Media Creation Tool, Microsoft will give you a direct download link instead. Below we present step-by-step instructions for Firefox and Chrome, the two browsers we use ourselves.





Firefox

• Go to the Microsoft download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
• Press Ctrl+Shift+M
• Your browser will now switch to a reduced-size mobile view of the Microsoft page
• In the top center settings list, select "iPad" from the left most drop-down
• Reload the page by clicking the reload button or by pressing F5
• You'll now see that the page contents have changed and there's a "Select edition" drop-down that lets you pick whether you want the May 2019 Update ISO or the October Update for direct download
• On the next page you can choose between all the available languages
• And finally, the last page lets you pick whether you want the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10 ISO
• Upon clicking "Confirm," your download of the ISO file should begin.

Chrome

• Go to the Microsoft download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
• Press F12 (a developer window will show up)
• Press Ctrl+Shift+M
• Your browser will now switch to a reduced-size mobile view of the Microsoft page
• In the top center settings list, select "iPad" from the left most drop-down
• Reload the page by clicking the reload icon or by pressing F5
• You'll now see that the page contents have changed and there's a "Select edition" drop-down that lets you pick whether you want the May 2019 Update ISO or the October Update for direct download
• On the next page you can choose between all the available languages
• And finally, the last page lets you pick whether you want the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10 ISO
• Upon clicking "Confirm," your download of the ISO file should begin.

The differentiation between editions (Pro or Home) is determined by the key you input during installation. You can now use that ISO file to burn to media, or mount in your VM software. Enjoy!



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[mcloughj]

Link for english 64 bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x64.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=a4c3eb0e7d3449bbef8eae75d213f24e

English 32bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x32.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=e4c70bfbf65d4fb5d4e47047012f0ddd

Don't know how long these links will work for but they were generated using the above method. Thanks for the tips Batrunr!

 

[Ferrum Master]

Link for english 64 bit May edition:

Download tokens will expire...

 

[Athlonite]

Link for english 64 bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x64.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=a4c3eb0e7d3449bbef8eae75d213f24e

English 32bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x32.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=e4c70bfbf65d4fb5d4e47047012f0ddd

Don't know how these links will work for but they were gnerated using the above method and Thanks for the tips Batrunr!

Thanks the link works fine but what was posted on how to get it doesn't work at all in Opera

 

[mcloughj]

Download tokens will expire...

had a feeling that they wouldn't last!

 

[Voluman]

Link for english 64 bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x64.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=a4c3eb0e7d3449bbef8eae75d213f24e

English 32bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x32.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=e4c70bfbf65d4fb5d4e47047012f0ddd

Don't know how long these links will work for but they were generated using the above method. Thanks for the tips Batrunr!

Are you serius? From where you copied there was a big notice, link are valid for 24 hours.

 

[IceScreamer]

Does using TechBench accomplish the same thing, just without the hassle, since it pulls the ISO straight from Microsoft? Genuine question.

https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php

The download link of the ISO seems to point to https://software-download.microsoft.com... etc so it appears to be legit. I had zero issues before and one time I was comparing checksum of the file to the one I downloaded with the media creation tool and it was the same (same language, version and 64bit).

The listed site has the 1903 version as well.

 

[newtekie1]

Ok, that's cool and all, but why? You can get an ISO from the Media Creation Tool and its not like the MCT is a huge download...

 

[Xajel]

This trick only needed when downloading from windows machine, it just uses the developers tools to trick MS's website into thinking you're browsing from a non-windows device, so forcing to download the ISO rather than the MC Tool.

What does this mean? If you have/use any OS other than Windows it will give you the ISO to download, Linux, Android, macOS (or a jailbroken iOS). I just downloaded it from macOS with no trick at all.

 

[Error]

If you have/use any OS other than Windows it will give you the ISO to download, Linux, Android, macOS (or a jailbroken iOS). I just downloaded it from macOS with no trick at all.

I too can confirm that the ISO is readily available for direct download under Firefox on Linux.

 

[W1zzard]

If you have/use any OS other than Windows it will give you the ISO to download

That's exactly what setting "iPad" exploits in the guide above

 

[Manu_PT]

Still on Windows 7 and I have no plans to upgrade, unless they reduce DPC latency on Windows 10 and improve dual/tri monitor setups (refresh rate + stutter problems).

 

[AzraeiHalim]

My firefox was version 67.0. Nothing happen when press Ctrl+Shift+M but I found alternative way by using User-Agent Switcher can do same thing

 

[newtekie1]

improve dual/tri monitor setups (refresh rate + stutter problems).

I have triple monitors on Windows 10 and have no issues and haven't since the early Win 10 builds. Multi-monitor is so much nicer on Windows 10 actually thanks to the enhancements they've added to Windows 10 for multi-monitor setups.

 

[EarthDog]

Still on Windows 7 and I have no plans to upgrade, unless they reduce DPC latency on Windows 10 and improve dual/tri monitor setups (refresh rate + stutter problems).

que? No issues here with latency nor my dual monitor setup (144hz/75hz) what's the deal?

 

[AzraeiHalim]

que? No issues here with latency nor my dual monitor setup (144hz/75hz) what's the deal?

His graphics card was legacy "maybe" that no proper driver for Win10

 

[Xzibit]

October (1809)
64-bit ISO is 5 GB

May (1903)
64-bit ISO is 4.6 GB

If anyone is wondering

 

[Manu_PT]

I have triple monitors on Windows 10 and have no issues and haven't since the early Win 10 builds. Multi-monitor is so much nicer on Windows 10 actually thanks to the enhancements they've added to Windows 10 for multi-monitor setups.

que? No issues here with latency nor my dual monitor setup (144hz/75hz) what's the deal?

His graphics card was legacy "maybe" that no proper driver for Win10

There is a known bug that has been forever on Windows 10 when you use multi monitor with high refresh rate. If the refresh rate of one monitor is not a multiple of the other it will stutter even scrolling down on web pages, videoplayback etc, there is a massive thread on BlurBusters forum about it. If you can´t notice, that´s nice for you I guess. Not my case tho. And the DPC latency is a big problem for audio producers like me, because Windows 10 is laggy as f. Btw no professional player should be using windows 10 with its high DPC anyway, but we are mostly casual gamers so I can accept most don´t care about that.

 

[Din5dale]

Generated direct links good for 24 hrs only.

 

[Readlight]

Media is ok only wery slow, iso need rufus its mor complicated.

 

[EarthDog]

And the DPC latency is a big problem for audio producers like me, because Windows 10 is laggy as f.

are you sure its windows? What is your threshold for dpc latency on audio? I only ask as I reviewed a slew of x299 and z370 based board and ran those checks. No audio drops or stutters. So I'm wondering what your threshold is....

What system do you run (specs arent filled out).

the refresh rate of one monitor is not a multiple of the other it will stutter even scrolling down on web pages, videoplayback etc, there is a massive thread on BlurBusters forum about it.

huh.. odd. Yeah no issues I can see here. I work/game on 144hz model while 75 hz screen has other websites and typically you tube or twitch on it.

Can you link to the massive thread on blurbusters, please?

 

[techowned5]

Link for english 64 bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x64.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=a4c3eb0e7d3449bbef8eae75d213f24e

English 32bit May edition:

https://software-download.microsoft.com/pr/Win10_1903_V1_English_x32.iso?t=2e71276d-98ee-45de-9118-a5c85fe57650&e=1558599586&h=e4c70bfbf65d4fb5d4e47047012f0ddd

Don't know how long these links will work for but they were generated using the above method. Thanks for the tips Batrunr!

Above links will expire exactly after 24hrs when you visit from mobile you will see that time