Download The Windows 10 Technical Preview ISO March Update

If you have signed up for the Windows Insider program for Windows 10, you can now grab the ISOs so that you can more easily deploy across multiple machines and not have to go through several installs to get the latest build running. There isn't an updated ISO for the Enterprise edition at this stage, just the 32 bit and 64 bit ISOs from the Insiders program.

If you haven't used the Windows 10 Technical Preview yet, you should take note of the Before You Install details from Microsoft's preview website...

A preview for PC experts

Windows 10 Technical Preview is here today, but it’s a long way from done. We’re going to make it faster, better, more fun at parties...you get the idea. Join the Windows Insider Program to make sure you get all the new features that are on the way. If you’re okay with a moving target and don’t want to miss out on the latest stuff, keep reading. Technical Preview could be just your thing.

Download and install the preview only if you

• Want to try out software that’s still in development and like sharing your opinion about it.

• Don’t mind lots of updates or a UI design that might change significantly over time.

• Really know your way around a PC and feel comfortable troubleshooting problems, backing up data, formatting a hard drive, installing an operating system from scratch, or restoring your old one if necessary.

• Know what an ISO file is and how to use it.

• Aren't installing it on your everyday computer.

We're not kidding about the expert thing. So if you think BIOS is a new plant-based fuel, Tech Preview may not be right for you.

Things to keep in mind

Unexpected PC crashes could damage or even delete your files, so you should back up everything. Some printers and other hardware might not work, and some software might not install or work correctly, including antivirus or security programs. You might also have trouble connecting to home or corporate networks.

Some installed apps might not yet work as expected or might not be available in your country or region. For example, Cortana is currently only available in English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Chinese (Simplified), German (Germany), French (France), Italian, and Spanish (Spain). To be able to use Cortana, the country or region for your system must be set to one of the available languages, and you also need to have installed that language's version of Technical Preview. In addition, the Cortana features that are available in one language might be different from those that are available in another.

Also, if your PC runs into problems, Microsoft will likely examine your system files. If the privacy of your system files is a concern, consider using a different PC. For more info, read our privacy statement.

What does it work with?

Technical Preview should work with the same devices and programs that work with Windows 8.1, but you might need to update or reinstall some of them.

Drivers for basic functions like storage, networking, input, and display come with Windows. These drivers allow you to complete the Windows installation and connect to the Internet. You might be able to get more drivers from Windows Update.

For compatibility info, see the Windows 8.1 Compatibility Center.

If you use a mouse and keyboard

Your apps and devices should work as expected, though of course there will be exceptions. We’d love to know what you think about how the new Windows works with mouse and keyboard and whether it provides the best of new and familiar functionality for Windows and apps.

If you have a touch PC

Technical Preview works with touch, but some things will be rough and unfinished. More touch-friendly improvements are on the way. In the meantime, let us know what it’s like to interact with Windows and apps in the preview.

If you want to go back to your previous operating system

You'll need to reinstall your version of Windows from the recovery or installation media that came with your PC (typically DVD media). If you don't have recovery media:

• For Windows 7 or Windows Vista: Before you update, you might be able to create recovery media from a recovery partition on your PC using software provided by your PC manufacturer. Check the support section of your PC manufacturer's website for more info.

• For Windows 8.1 or Windows 8: You might be able to create a USB recovery drive. For more info, see Create a USB recovery drive. If you didn’t create a USB recovery drive before you installed the preview, you can create installation media for Windows 8.1.

System requirements

Basically, if your PC can run Windows 8.1, you’re good to go. If you're not sure, don't worry—Windows will check your system to make sure it can install the preview.

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster

• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)

• Free hard disk space: 16 GB

• Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

• A Microsoft account and Internet access

Important notes

• Some PC processors and hardware configurations aren’t supported by Technical Preview, including a small number of older, 64-bit CPUs, and some 32 GB and all 16 GB devices running a compressed operating system.

• To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an Internet connection, a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768, and a Microsoft account.

• The Windows Store in Technical Preview will have many (but not all) Windows 8.1 apps available. (Apps for Windows 10 Technical Preview will not be available for PCs running Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.) Keep in mind that if you install the preview but then decide to go back to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, you might have to reinstall your apps from Windows Store.

• Cortana is currently only available in English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Chinese (Simplified), German (Germany), French (France), Italian, and Spanish (Spain). To be able to use Cortana, the country or region for your system must be set to one of the available languages, and you also need to have installed that language's version of Technical Preview.

• After you install the preview, you won't be able to play DVDs using Windows Media Player.

• If you're running Windows 8.1 but haven't installed Windows 8.1 Update yet, you won't be able to install Technical Preview. Try running Windows Update to get Windows 8.1 Update before you install Technical Preview, or you can download an ISO file instead.

• If you have Windows 8 Pro with Media Center and you install the preview, Windows Media Center will be removed.

• The preview won’t work on Windows RT 8.1 editions.

• There is no N edition of Technical Preview, so if you upgrade to Technical Preview from an N edition of Windows, you will no longer be running an N edition.

• If you're running Windows 7 without SP1, you can only upgrade to the preview by downloading an ISO file. If you install Windows 7 SP1, you can upgrade to the preview by using Windows Update or by downloading an ISO file.

Languages

Technical Preview is available in the following languages: English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Portuguese (Brazilian), Japanese, Russian, German, French, French (Canada), Korean, Italian, Spanish, Spanish (Latin America), Swedish, Finnish, Turkish, Arabic, Dutch, Czech, Polish, and Thai.

Notes

• • If you're running Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7 and your system language isn't one of the available languages listed previously, you can only keep your personal files when you upgrade. You won't be able to keep your apps or Windows settings.

  • If you installed the preview when it was first avaialble in English, Chinese (Simplified), or Portuguese (Brazilian), and you now want to switch to one of the additional available languages, you'll need to download an ISO file to reinstall the preview in one of those languages.

  • Some text in the preview will not yet have been translated into all available languages and will only appear in English. This text will be translated into all available languages by the time the final product is available for purchase.

  • If you're running Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7 and have installed a language pack or a language interface pack (LIP), they'll be removed when you install Technical Preview.

Technical Preview expires on October 1, 2015

If you’re running Technical Preview, we'll send you notifications beginning on September 15, 2015 to remind you that it’s time to upgrade your PC to a newer version.

What you keep when you upgrade

This table shows what you can keep when you upgrade from your current version of Windows. Keep in mind that no matter which operating system you’re upgrading from, you should play it safe and back up everything.

To check your version, see Which Windows operating system am I running?

Important

• If you're running Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7 and your system language isn't one of the available languages listed on the System requirements tab, you can only keep your personal files when you upgrade. You won't be able to keep your apps or Windows settings.

You'll get updates automatically

Lots more new features are coming, and you’ll get them automatically. Join the Windows Insider Program to make sure you get all the latest preview builds so you can see all the latest stuff.

Talk to us

We’re opening the doors early so we can find out what you think now, while there’s still time to make changes. So talk to us, we want to know what you think. We’ll use it all to build a better Windows.

As a Windows Insider, you get the Windows Feedback app, which makes it easy to send your thoughts straight to us. We know you early adopters aren't shy, so bring it on. We want to hear the good, the bad, and the kludgy.

And you can always jump into the discussion on the Windows Insider Program forum.

Notes

• • Windows Update will be set to automatically install important updates as they become available. You won’t be able to turn off automatic updates in Windows 10 Technical Preview.

  • To change when and how often preview builds are installed, open Settings, click Update & recovery, and then click Preview builds. Click the top list, and then select Fast or Slow to choose how often builds are installed. Then, click Change the time my PC installs preview builds and select what time you want builds to be installed.

The way we gather information has changed

Privacy notices for Windows 10 Technical Preview are new because we’ve changed the way we gather information. To learn more, read our privacy statement.

Help and support

Be sure to check out How to use Windows 10 Technical Preview for helpful info highlighting the new things you can do with the preview on your PC.

We’ve also created some online forums where you can ask questions and get answers from other preview users and Microsoft support professionals. (We don't offer technical support for Windows 10 Technical Preview or any other prerelease software.)

• Visit the Windows Insider Program forum

• Visit the Windows 10 Enterprise Technical Preview forum for questions about business features