Most people head to the Microsoft
Windows 10 Download site to get a compressed version of the latest installation media of Microsoft Windows 10 or to the Office website to grab the latest copy of
Microsoft Office, and they're the right places to go.
But what if you want a previous version or build of Windows or Office?
Many websites can be found that offer older versions of Microsoft's Windows 10 and Microsoft Office installation media for download that they've saved and host on their own servers. But how can you be sure that the download you get hasn't been tampered with, contains viruses or other types of malware? Truth is, you can't.
This article will show you how to get an ISO or IMG of Microsoft's installation media that will allow you to be confident that you're getting a genuine product. Why?
Because all downloads from the following site are sent directly from Microsoft Servers and not from a third-party site hosting copies they've saved themselves. The place I'm talking about is TechBench by WZT, and you get to it by clicking the following URL.
TechBench by WZT (v4.1.1)
Important Note: You are only getting Windows 10 or Microsoft Office "Installation Media" when you download using the above site. Not a licensed copy of the software. You will still need a valid installation key code (IKC) or have to purchase a Digital License from Microsoft before you will be able to legally use the software after Microsoft's standard trial period expires. The software will install and run, but until it's purchased, will not activate, nor continue to run once the provided grace trial period expires.
That said and understood, upon reaching the above site, you'll be presented with the following screen.
From there, you can search for what you're wanting to download by entering three characters or more, or alternatively, use the Drop Down arrows to select the Type of ISO or IMG you want, then select the Version, Edition, Language and file(s) that are available.
Here's a snapshot of a selection to download a copy of Windows 10 Final, Version 1903 (Build 18362.30) in the English language, using 64-bit installation media in ISO format.
Once you've specified what you need, a download button appears with some information.
Note the Date and Time that the generated Download token link will expire. In the above example, the quoted link expired on the 20th August 2021 at 14:15:41 MSK and is shown only as an example.
Reminder: You can confidently download Microsoft ISOs and IMGs from the above site because downloads always come directly from Microsoft Servers.
In the way of reassurance about the point, I tested the site by starting several different downloads of both Windows 10 and Microsoft Office. With that in mind, here's a capture of the URL the above-pictured example of "Windows 10, Version 1903 - 19H1 (build 18362.30) downloaded from:
software-download.microsoft.com/db/Win10_1903_V1_English_x64.iso
The same was true for about a dozen other download tests I did for both Windows 10 and Microsoft Office Suite builds.
Finally, here's a few snapshots showing just a few examples of what was available for download at the time of writing.
- Not all previous versions of Windows or Microsoft Office can be downloaded. The site is limited to providing token download links to installation media that Microsoft still allows for downloading. If you can't find the version of the software you want using the drop-down selection arrows, it's not available. Windows 7 and earlier, for example, is not available. One is also limited regarding editions, e.g. no Windows Pro or Education editions can be downloaded for Windows 10. For Windows 8.1 only the Pro edition can be downloaded. All of that is out of TechBench's control.
- Not all software downloads will generate an expiring time stamp. That's normal and the reason for that is unknown. It is, however, normal behaviour and not a fault with the site. To be on the safe side, download your media at your earliest
convenience lest it gets removed from availability by Microsoft.
I hope this information has helped you out.
Regards,
Andrew Leniart
©Andrew Leniart 2021
