How to install Windows 10: complete step-by-step guide

There is no doubt that Windows 10 has become the most widely used operating system on most computers around the world. And it is that every day there are more users interested in installing the Microsoft operating system on their computers. The fact that we can update from previous versions or use a system image makes it easy for anyone who wants to install it on their computer. If you're thinking of giving Microsoft's OS a try, want to upgrade from a previous version, or reinstall from scratch, here's all you need to know to install this version of the operating system.

Table of Contents

• Important details
  • Why install Windows 10 from scratch?
  • System Requirements
  • Available license types
• Installation
  • Create USB or DVD for your installation
  • Configuration to boot from USB or DVD
  • How to install Windows 10 step by step
  • Upgrade from Windows XP, 7, or 8.1
  • Finishing the Windows installation
  • Default settings to review
• Posible problems
  • Before installation
  • After installation
  • During installation or upgrade
  • Recovery options against possible failures
• Windows 10 free
  • How to get it without paying?
  • Because it is free?
  • What happens if you don't activate Windows?
• Upgrade to Windows 11

First of all, what we have to do is check if our equipment meets the necessary requirements to install the system. If we do not comply with them, we will have to assess whether we can update the equipment to be able to carry out the installation without problems or think about buying a new computer. But we will talk about all this later in this complete guide that we have prepared.

Important details

Windows 10 is one of the most important versions that the Microsoft operating system has had. It is present in millions of computers and there is a lot to know before diving headlong into the installation process. In the following paragraphs we will talk about the reasons for installing this edition of the platform, the system requirements that you must take into account and the different licenses that you can choose from. Once you finish reading these sections you will be ready to start installing.

Why install Windows 10 from scratch?

There are many reasons why you may want to install the operating system from scratch, for example, in the case that your computer is giving trouble and you want to fix it by attacking the root cause. It may also be that you want to have it in another partition. Or simply, it is possible that until now you had other operating system and you want to change it for all the advantages that it provides and its high compatibility.

A very frequent reason to install it is that many desktop and laptop computers, especially gaming, although you will see this trend in many others, they come without factory pre-installed Windows. This reduces their cost, since they do not have to pay the extra for the license. Thanks to this, you will not only be able to access new equipment at a lower cost, but also those that interest you because of their benefits, and perhaps they do not have the operating system installed. It is also something to take into account if you consider the possibility of buying one by pieces. In short, it will open up a new field of possibilities for you if you are thinking of buying a new computer.

On the other hand, as you already know, Windows 10 has numerous advantages. This operating system is completely free for users who have a valid license of versions 7 or 8.1. What's more, whoever updates to the tenth version will have free the following versions (if the computer hardware allows it).

Also, if you don't have much hardware, it's an excellent option, since it consumes very few computer resources. It also has your own virtual assistant (Cortana) and is the first cross-platform and multi-device operating system. That is, it works equally well on any screen (regardless of size) and on any device that runs it. All in all, Windows 10 is a great operating system that works quite well with most devices, especially when installed from scratch. Its novelties are truly practical and, as if that were not enough, it includes security measures for computer threats (although we are never exempt from risks).

Therefore, if you meet this or any of the reasons why you want to do it, we are going to discuss the requirements, how to do it and everything you need to know during the entire installation process... and after it!

System Requirements

Microsoft establishes a series of basic requirements for installation No problem. Requirements at the hardware level that will guarantee the proper functioning of the system after its installation. If our equipment does not comply with them, it is very likely that we will not enjoy an optimal experience, so we will have to think about updating the equipment or buying a new one.

• Processor

1 GHz or faster compatible processor or system on a chip (SoC). The processor is the brain of the computer and is responsible for performing all the operations necessary to run the operating system and applications. A processor with a minimum speed of 1 GHz is required, which is quite low compared to modern processors. However, it is important that the processor supports PAE, NX, and SSE2 features.

PAE (Physical Address Extension) is a feature that allows 32-bit processors to access more than 4 GB of RAM. This means that if you have a PC with a 32-bit processor, but with the PAE feature, you will be able to install Windows 10 and use more than 4 GB of RAM. For his part, NX (No Execute) is a security feature that helps prevent the execution of malicious code in system memory. If your processor does not support this feature, you may not be able to install it. As to SSE2 (Streaming SIMD Extensions 2), it is an extension of the processor's instruction set that allows more efficient mathematical and floating point calculations. Most modern processors support this feature, but it's important to make sure your processor supports it in order to install.

• RAM

RAM memory is the temporary storage space used by the operating system and applications to perform their operations. Windows 10 requires at least 1 GB of RAM for the 32-bit version and 2 GB for the 64-bit version. If your computer has less RAM than required, it may run slowly and experience performance issues.

• Hard disk space

 16 GB for a 32-bit OS or 32 GB for a 64-bit OS. Hard drive space is the permanent storage your computer uses to hold the operating system, applications, files, and data. At least 16 GB of hard drive space is required for the 32-bit version and 20 GB for the 64-bit version. It is important to keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements and that it is advisable to have more space available in order to be able to install updates and new applications in the future.

• Graphic card

The graphics card is the component in charge of displaying the image on the screen of your computer. The graphics card is required to support DirectX 9 or later and have a WDDM 1.0 or later driver. This ensures that the graphics card can display graphics and visual effects properly.

• Screen

The display is the output device of your computer and allows you to see the operating system, applications and files on the screen. The screen is required to have a minimum resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. This is a fairly low resolution, so most modern displays will likely meet this requirement. It is important to note that screen resolution affects the clarity and readability of the content displayed, so it is recommended to have one with a higher resolution for a better user experience.

• Internet connection

As you can already imagine, you will need your computer to be connected to the Internet. Being connected to the network will be necessary when carrying out the many updates that are distributed to the operating system and that, in a large number of cases, are essential. You will also need the connection to be able to download tools or add-ons related to the Microsoft platform. And, not least, it is essential to have Internet when you do the initial configuration, both in the express configuration mode and in the OOBE user experience. In any case, there are usually no problems with having a connection that is not too fast, simply the downloads will take more or less depending on it.

Available license types

Microsoft currently no longer sells licenses, since the company has made the leap to the next version of the platform. However, it is important to know the existing types of licenses and the price they had at the time, since third-party licenses continue to be marketed.

• Home It is the most basic, the one used by a large number of users because it allows access to the most important functions of the operating system at the lowest price. Therefore, it is surely the option that interests you the most. Its price is 145 euros.
• Pro it is a slightly more complete version because it has more options and features like Remote Desktop, Windows Information Protection, BitLocker and a set of tools designed for business use, although the price is higher. It is designed for users who have more powerful equipment and are looking for greater work capacities, for those who use their computer frequently. A license for a PC or Mac is priced at 259 euros.
• Pro for Workstations. This is undoubtedly designed for the professional market, since it improves the functions of the other versions by offering greater security, stability and data volume, among other benefits. It is an alternative for small companies. You can buy it for 439 euros.

Along with these availability licenses there are also versions of the operating system for organizations. It is possible that you have come to find one of these editions at work or in your study center, with some popularity among the community of Microsoft OS enthusiasts. These versions are the following:

• Educations: a version designed for the educational sector, teachers, students and other related professionals. Initially it did not have Cortana, but over time it was added. One of its particularities is that it does not have suggestions or the typical tips and tricks that are given in the experience of using the system.
• For Education: Derived from the previous one, the edition designed for its use in universities, colleges and other academic entities. It incorporates more management tools that help Windows boost the performance of these centers.
• Enterprise: designed for companies, with high levels of security, a very flexible customization system and the possibility of easily managing devices. It is intended for use by professionals in IT departments who will then customize system settings for use by company employees.
• Enterprise LTSC: a type of version for long-term use, hence the use of the acronym Long-Term Servicing Channel. In this case, annual updates are not applied, but the update periods are longer, between 2 and 3 years.

Other curious editions, although less widespread, are the Holographic, which Microsoft customized for use with HoloLens technology, and the IoT Enterprise version, designed for low-cost Internet of Things devices.

Although Windows 10 is no longer sold in the Microsoft online store, yes it is available in other shops and vendors. This makes it easier to have several options to assess when considering possibilities to save money in the acquisition of the license. Of course, do it on trusted pages and do not trust services that you do not know, especially those that are not secure sites or give you a bad impression. You can buy on Amazon, Fnac and other pages that have a good reputation. Do not trust websites that offer it at too low prices, like 10 to 20 euros, because you may have problems with it.

On the other hand, if you bought your computer with Windows 10, you may already have the official licenseSo you won't have to buy it again. If you have any questions, check with your service provider. If your computer came without an operating system, you will necessarily have to purchase the program to be able to install it on your PC.

Installation

There are different methods with which you can install the operating system on your computer, as well as steps that you must also take into account before, during and after the installation. The process is not as complicated as you might think, but it does require that you pay close attention to everything you are doing. However, we are going to try to explain it to you in a simple way so that you do not have any doubts.

Create USB or DVD for your installation

One of the things you can do to install it on your computer is create a usb or a dvd. Therefore, we are going to tell you which steps you must follow to create the file that you will use when installing the operating system on your PC in this way.

It is possible to use different installation media, such as a USB stick or a DVD. From them, we can do a clean installation of the system or a reinstallation of it.

For this, we are going to need:

• A computer with stable internet connection.
• A unit flash USB or  DVD.
• An product key, although it is not required for digital licenses.

In the case of that we want to use a USB memory, we must have a unit that has at least 8 GB of available space. If, on the other hand, what we want to do is create an installation DVD, then we need an empty disc and a DVD burner on the computer.

In any case, the first thing we are going to do is download the Media Creation Tool, from the Microsoft website. Once downloaded, these is what you have to do:

• We execute the downloaded file Media Creation Tool.
• We accept the terms.
• We chose the option Create installation media.

• We select the self of Windows 10.
• When asked for the medium to use, we choose usb flash drive if what we want is to create an installation USB or ISO file if what we are going to do is create a DVD.

• If we choose USB, we connect the memory to our equipment, we wait for the tool to recognize it or we click on Update list of units. We follow the steps requested by the tool and finish the process.
• If we choose DVD, we will have to choose the path where we want to save the ISO image and finish the process.

In the case of the pen drive, we will have the installation medium ready, so the only thing left to do is configure our PC to boot directly from the memory unit.

If, on the contrary, we have created a ISO file, the next thing to do is burn the system image file to the DVD using a program like IMGBurn, Nero or Ashampoo Burning Studio. Finally, we set the computer to boot from the DVD drive and perform the installation.

On the other hand, from an ISO file we can also create an installation USB. For this we will have to use a tool like Rufus, a software specially designed to create bootable media. In this case, the steps to follow will be:

• Download and install the program (Download Rufus).
• We run the program on our desktop.
• We choose the operating system that we want to use from the field Boot choice. In the dropdown that is shown right next to it, we choose the option Download.
• Next, we will be shown a small window in which we can choose the exact version of the operating system.
• The download of the image file with the chosen system will begin.
• Once finished, we can create the bootable USB with said file.

Configuration to boot from USB or DVD

Once we have our installation media correctly created, whether it is a USB memory or DVD, the next thing we have to do is change the boot order of the computer on which we are going to install Windows 10. To do this, what we have to do is to access the BIOS setup and set the corresponding bootable media. For it:

• We restart or turn on the equipment.
• We press the key F2, F8, or Delete depending on the equipment to enter the configuration of the BIOS. (We can also consult the manual of our board).
• If we do not know the access key or prefer it, it is also possible to do the following:
  • We open the configuration page and navigate to the option Update and security > Recovery > Advanced startup and click on Restart now.
  • In the next menu, we select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

• Once inside the BIOS or UEFI, in the tab Boat This is where we will find the option that allows us to establish the computer's boot order. There we can choose between CD, DVD, USB drive, etc.

• We select the corresponding option (USB or DVD).
• Click on Save and exit.

Once this is done, the next time the system boots, boot will be performed from the selected drive and we can start the process to install the operating system.

How to install Windows 10 step by step

Regardless of whether we install from the Windows 10 DVD itself or from a medium created by ourselves, once the installation wizard starts, these are each and every one of the steps to follow:

The first of all will be choose the language that we are going to install, as well as the language, time format, currency and that of the keyboard or input method. Click Next and the Install Now button will appear.

Click on this button and in the next step is where we will be asked to enter the license key. If we don't have it or we want to do it later, just click on I don't have product keys and we'll go to the next step.

Now is when we must choose the version of the system that we want to install. If we have a license, then we must choose the version with which it corresponds. Otherwise, the usual thing is to select the Home version and click on Next.

As we can see, it is possible to choose between Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Education, and Windows 10 Pro and their corresponding N versions. Windows 10 Home is the most basic and cheapest version if we are about to buy a license, but the truth is that it has all the common features of the system. The only thing we must take into account is that it offers some limitations when buying OEM or Retail licenses and that the maximum RAM memory is 4G in 32-bit and 128 GB in 64-bit.

For its part, the pro edition It is designed for users who are looking for something more. It includes everything in the Home edition, but allows you to buy volume licenses and the maximum RAM for 64-bit is 512 GB. But, in addition, the Pro version also has Hyper-V, BitLocker and EFS or the possibility of using Remote Desktop as client and server, in addition to other features focused on the business environment.

As its name implies, Windows 10 Education It is the version of the system focused on education, or rather the schools. The licenses are distributed by volume, so they cannot be purchased individually and, in addition, it has a series of tools specially designed for this environment.

All these editions have their particular "N" version, which means that they do not have any media player installed by default.

Next, we will have to accept the license terms and use of the system and click on Next again so that a new window will open in which we will be asked what type of installation we want to do.

In this case, we are going to select the second option,  , since it will allow us to choose the disk partition where we want to install. In addition, at this very moment we can create or configure the space where we want to carry out the installation if necessary. If this is not the case, the wizard will use the necessary space by default and create the corresponding recovery partition.

By pressing on Next, we will see how the installation process will begin, which it may take a few minutes. Once finished, the configuration wizard will open, which will guide us through the initial configuration of the system.

At first, we will have to choose our region, in this case Spain. Next, we will be asked to choose the appropriate keyboard layout and once this is done, we will have to enter our email, phone or Skype account to sign in with Microsoft, as well as the access password.

In the next step, the configuration wizard will give us the option to create a PIN, which will allow us to log in quickly and securely. If we want to create it, just click on the Create PIN button and set the code we want.

The next thing that the assistant will ask us is if we want turn on system activity history. In this way, we will be able to continue with what we were doing on our PC even after switching devices.

Now we will be asked to let's enter our mobile phone number for instant access to photos, text messages, notifications and more. In short, if we want to activate the synchronization between our mobile and Windows 10, with which we can also send web pages from the mobile to the PC. We can activate it at that moment or go to the next step.

At this moment is when we will be informed of the possibility of making backup copies of our files with the cloud storage system from Microsoft, OneDrive, and the one that we can use completely integrated into the system when installing Windows 10.

In the next step, we can activate Microsoft Office if we have a product key or get more information with the free trial of the company's suite.

In the following steps we will be able enable Cortana assistant help, indicate if we want Microsoft and the applications of our equipment to be able to use our location, activate the use of the Find my device function, configure the data that we want the operating system to collect about us and be able to send to Microsoft servers. Choose settings to improve inking and typing or to allow Microsoft to get personalized experiences from diagnostic data.

Finally, a screen will appear indicating that we should not disconnect our PC, since the system is being configured based on everything that we have just indicated and that the final process can take several minutes. After this, the next thing that we will see after a few minutes will be our desktop and we will have finished installing.

Upgrade from Windows XP, 7, or 8.1

If we are users of Windows 7 or 8.1, we still have time to update with the latest version of the system without having to install Windows 10 from scratch. On this occasion, we are going to have to use the tool again Media Creation Tool which we have already mentioned above. The first thing is to know if the hardware that our PC has is compatible with the version to which we want to update.

Possibly we have had the equipment for quite some time, so it is likely that we do not know exactly what hardware it has. If so, we can run the command dxDiag from the Windows Run window and the system itself will show us the details of the hardware that we have installed. Now, we just have to check if they meet the minimum requirements that Microsoft requests to install these newer versions of the system.

If we are lucky and we meet the minimum hardware requirements, the next thing to do is to perform a backup of all data saved on the computer, something that today it is possible to do in the update process, but in XP before it was not possible. In this way, we will have to do a clean installation of Windows 10 on the computer.

To make a backup copy of our data, it is recommended, first of all, to delete all junk files or applications that we did not previously use. Something that we can do manually or with the help of a tool such as CCleaner, For example. Back in version 7 there was a very handy tool known as Windows Easy Transfer that allowed you to copy files and transfer to this version of the operating system between two computers. However, with Windows 10 this utility disappeared.

In any case, Microsoft, aware of the requests of the users to offer something similar, collaborated with the company PCmover Express program in order to ensure that transfers using it would offer the highest level of efficiency. To use it, follow the steps below:

• Connect both computers to the same WiFi network or the same cable connection
• Open PCmover Express on the old computer that you are going to stop using
• Select what you are going to move, such as files, applications, folders and other items
• Configure the transfer options and click Done

That will start the transfer and you'll have to wait until you are informed on the computer of its completion. After that it is advisable to restart and then activate all the usual programs that you do not have active, such as the antivirus.

Finishing the Windows installation

Once you have your system installed, there are a few extra steps what you should do to ensure both the security and stability of your computer.

Microsoft's operating system has evolved a lot in terms of driver management. The system can be installed without actually loading our specific drivers. Once installed, the system can load the necessary drivers through Windows Update.

However, it is not advisable to let your computer do this process automatically. Sometimes the repositories that the Microsoft program uses to find the drivers are outdated or do not have the best possible version. This translates into a team that can have stability issues (frozen screen, hang up...), problems with USB port speeds and other similar problems.

First of all is install chipset driver. This is responsible for very important processes, such as energy management and power cycles, sleep and power off. You can easily find it on the Intel or AMD websites depending on the system you have, but the ideal is to go to the official website of your motherboard (or to your laptop's specs page). Once you install the chipset driver, you should also install the USB drivers and also the audio drivers.

On the other hand, if your computer has a dedicated graphics card, you must also enter the manufacturer's website (Nvidia or AMD) and install the corresponding driver.

Once you have everything installed, the last step you must take is to go to Windows Update and force a system update to finish setting up the computer.

Default settings to review

This version of Microsoft's operating system came loaded with a bunch of new tweaks to offer users more customization. Among all of them, surely there are many that we will never change, however, there are others that should be reviewed as soon as the installation of the system is completed.

We refer, above all, to those that can allow us a better experience in the use of the system or that have to do with privacy, security or data collection by Microsoft. Among some of the tasks or settings to review as soon as you install, we highlight:

• Remove bloatware: bloatware is made up of all those applications that come pre-installed by default with the Microsoft operating system and that, in most cases, we will never use. Therefore, if we do not want them to be taking up space on the computer, it is best to uninstall them first. To do this, we go to the Settings page> Applications and features and in the list that appears, we will uninstall everything that we do not want to have on the computer.
• Deactivate Cortana: the virtual assistant Cortana is another of the novelties with which it arrived. Although the truth is that your options are many, most users do not use the assistant at all. In addition, it is already known to all the problems he has had with privacy. Therefore, for many users it is best to disable it completely.
• Disable telemetry: Telemetry is responsible for tracking system usage and sending certain data and information to Microsoft servers. If we want to deactivate this function, we open the Settings page and enter the Privacy option. Within the General tab, we review all the permissions that we are giving to the system to configure them to our liking. We have to do the same in the Location option and in the Camera, Microphone, Handwritten input and writing customization, Account information, Contacts, Messages, etc. sections.
• Change default apps: As expected, the use of Microsoft applications is configured by default. Therefore, when we open a website, it will open in Microsoft Edge, while if we open a photo, it will do so with Windows 10 Photos, for example. However, we may have our own favorite apps. From the Settings> Applications> Default applications page, we can change these applications and choose the ones we want once we have them installed on the device.
• Disable update delivery optimization system: is another of the new features, and what it does is make it easier to update the system on other computers on our local network or even over the Internet through P2P exchange. To deactivate this option, we open the configuration page> Update and security> Windows Update, enter advanced options and then click on Delivery optimization. Finally, to deactivate the service, click on Activated so that the configuration changes to Deactivated.
• Review Active Hours: Being caught in the middle of a job by system updates is always a chore. Luckily, in Windows 10 we can adjust what is known as Active Hours, which allows us to indicate the hours in which we are working on our computer so that automatic updates do not bother us during that period of time.
• Activate system restore: although if we have just installed everything will be perfect, the truth is that it is best that we activate and configure the restoration of Windows 10. We will do it, in case at some point, later, we find ourselves in need of returning to a certain configuration where everything was working fine after we ran into some bug. To do this, we go to the Settings page> Update and security and within the Backup section we configure the equipment so that system restore points are created and that we can use them at any time.
• Disable UAC behavior: The operation of UAC can be somewhat annoying or aggressive for users due to the large number of notifications it displays. Therefore, if you want to avoid constant notifications, you will only have to modify this option and limit it (or deactivate it completely if you prefer).
• speed up shutdown: The system has a functionality that stops the shutdown when there are applications or programs running. Therefore, you would first have to save all the changes, close the open programs and finally turn off the computer. You can modify this behavior and speed up system shutdown (although the risks of losing your changes will be higher).

In order to fully enjoy the Microsoft operating system on your new computer, it is important review all these aspects and follow the steps correctly. That will help you know how to fix any possible errors you encounter. It will also be useful if you need to change the operating system on your current computer.

Posible problems

As has happened before with any other version of the Microsoft platform, you may run into glitches or problems in the process. After all, there are many aspects to review and things that can go wrong or go wrong at some point. However, everything has a solution. Next, we talk about the most common problems and we also give you recommendations so that you can overcome them.

Before installation

If we meet the requirements established by Microsoft to install on our computer, we shouldn't run into any problems for your installation. However, there are certain details that we must take into account since they can be an impediment to proceed with the installation of the system. These are some of the most frequent errors when starting the installation of Windows 10:

• Insufficient space: To upgrade or install Windows 10, we need enough hard drive space to install. Otherwise, we will find an error when starting the process. The usual thing is that there is space, but if this is not the case, we must free it up or consider buying a new hard drive with more capacity.
• External hardware: To avoid problems, if we have any hardware devices connected to our computer, such as headphones, printers, scanners, speakers, USB drives or external hard drives, it is best that we disconnect them, first of all. If we are using a laptop connected to a docking station, we will have to undock it.
• Antivirus: It is recommended to uninstall any antivirus software that we have on the computer and it is not from Microsoft, since sometimes it can cause problems or conflicts during the update or installation of Windows 10. When the installation is finished, you can reinstall it.
• Obsolete applications or that we do not use: Any obsolete software that we have on the computer can cause problems when updating or installing. Therefore, it is advisable to remove all those old applications or those that we no longer use, thus avoiding any setbacks during the process. In addition, it is equally recommended to update the applications that we do use regularly in order to have greater security.

After installation

The truth is that one of the things that has been chasing the Microsoft operating system for the longest time is the errors or problems with which we can find after an update.

So much so that, from Redmond, they have developed a lot of Windows 10 troubleshooters. Problems that have to do with the Internet connection, the printers connected to our computers, audio playback, Windows Update itself, network problems, with the Microsoft Store applications, Bluetooth, search service, shared folders, energy, audio, video playback, keyboard, microphone or program compatibility, among other aspects.

Thus, when we have a problem of this type, we will be able to use these utilities to try to solve said problems in an automatic and totally transparent way for the users.

To do this, we have to open the Windows 10 Settings page and navigate to the option Update and security > Troubleshoot. Once there, we will find all the troubleshooters related to the features mentioned above. All we have to do is launch the solver and wait for it to run to see if it has been able to solve the problem automatically.

During installation or upgrade

Errors starting with 0xC1900101 are usually some of the most frequent errors when installing. Problems that usually have to do with driver errors, such as the ones shown below:

• 0xC1900101 - 0x2000c
• 0xC1900101 - 0x20017
• 0xC1900101 - 0x30018
• 0xC1900101 – 0x3000D
• 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D
• 0xC1900101 - 0x40017

Faced with any of these error codes, this is what we can do to try to solve them:

1. Check that we have enough free disk space
2. Run Windows Update several times in case there is an update pending to install
3. Check third-party drivers and download available updates
4. Disconnect additional hardware that we have
5. Check for any errors in Device Manager
6. Uninstall or disable our antivirus if it is not from Microsoft
7. Repair possible hard disk errors (by running chkdsk /f C: from the CMD)
8. Perform a clean reboot
9. Restore and repair system files (run DISM.exe / Online / Cleanup-image / RestoreHealth from the CMD)

Other errors may also appear during the installation, possibly less common than the previous ones, but they have occurred in several cases, so it is worth knowing about them.

• 0 x 80073712: This error means that there is a file that Windows currently needs to install and it is either corrupted or not where it should be.
• 0x80070070: This error code indicates that we don't have enough hard drive space to install the new version. We must make sure that we have at least between 20 and 30 GB free to install.
• 0x80300024: This error message shows us that the target hard disk, partition, or volume where we want to install the operating system does not support a disk operation specified by the wizard.
• 0 x 80200056: If this error appears, it is because you have been logged out during the installation process or the computer has been restarted and therefore the update can continue. Windows will automatically try to download and install this version of the system again, but we must make sure that the computer is connected to the current and will not turn off again.
• 0x800F0922: Microsoft servers cannot be accessed for installation. This may be because we are using a proxy or VPN and we have forgotten to disconnect it, something that happens more than you think. It may also mean that we don't have enough space on the System Reserved partition to install the update.
• 0x800F0923: This indicates that a software or driver on our computer, or some other type of software, is not compatible with the version of Windows that we want to install. We must investigate on our own who is responsible to eliminate it and be able to continue.
• 0xC1900200 – 0x20008 / 0xC1900202 – 0x20008: in both cases the error indicates the same thing and it is nothing other than the computer where we intend to install does not meet the minimum requirements that must be demanded of it and that, therefore, as long as we do not expand it, either in RAM memory or in storage , we will not be able to install the version we wanted. There is nothing we can do about it, except to update the hardware of our computer to meet these minimum requirements.

Recovery options against possible failures

On the other hand, and in case we have Windows 10 already installed, but start to go wrong, we do not have to carry out all the previous process to install start from scratch, but we can use the recovery options to restore the PC and leave it as fresh from the store.

This is a very useful method when we have installed new updates or some drivers or applications on our computer. The operating platform may find fault on them or during installation and it is necessary to return to a stable version of the system.

We talk about a restore point as a backup of the operating system that it does when something new is installed on it, such as updates or applications. These the create windows automatically if the system protection option is active. Or they can also be done manually.

The available recovery options allow us to restore the operating system to its source values. This can be done by keeping our data or by completely deleting it from the system. To access these options, what we must do is follow these steps:

• Open the menu Configuration.
• Go to the Update and security section.
• In it, click on the option Recovery. And here we will see the section Reset this PC.
• What happens if you don't activate Windows?

Microsoft's permissiveness has been increasing over the years. With XP, you could use the system for 30 days without activating it. After those 30 days, the only option to continue using it was to enter the product key. If you didn't, all you could do was backup copies and little else.

With Eyeglasses, Microsoft introduced the so-called “Reduced functionality mode”, which was activated after 30 days without activation. This mode prevented playing games, as well as disabling system features like ReadyBoost or BitLocker. In addition, after an hour of use of the system without activating, it closed the session. With Windows 7 The change arrived, and the permissiveness began. The operating system was still working after the 30-day trial, but every hour a window was displayed urging you to activate it, as well as a message on the taskbar. It also stopped receiving security updates and put the screen background in black.

With Windows 8.1 The same thing happened, with a full screen message for you to activate it, in addition to having the customization options disabled. Despite this, the operating system was perfectly usable, which brings us to Windows 10.

With Windows 10, the only thing we see is a message in the lower right part that tells us “Activate Windows: Go to Settings to activate Windows.”. We can use the system without any problem. Now, there are certain things that we will not be able to do with Windows 10 without activating, such as modifying certain personalization settings, customizing the taskbar, system color, wallpaper, fonts, or themes. We also can't sync items between Microsoft accounts.

Beyond that, the operating system can be used smoothly without any performance hit. In addition, we continue to receive patches and updates. This is ideal for hardware reviewers, as it do not have to activate the system every time who assemble a new computer for testing.

Thus, with Windows 10 not only is nothing wrong with using it without activating it, but also Microsoft launched the Media Creation Tool, with which the user downloads the Official Windows 10 ISO. It is not necessary to resort to Torrent portals or hidden links to download the system image as it was necessary to do with Windows 7. This is another example of the system's approach to the user regardless of whether they pay or not. In addition, previously with the Insider subscription it was possible to use the latest builds totally free, since it was not necessary to activate it. Thus, Microsoft gave you the operating system in exchange for trying it. Now this program is focused on Windows 11. And the next version of the platform is exactly what we are talking about in the next section.

Upgrade to Windows 11

It is possible that, at some point, you have come across a message from Microsoft in which, during the installation process, they recommended that you go directly to version 11. However, Microsoft does not force you to do it, although it has its "tricks" to invite us to update insistently and even try to install it within an update.

Despite the fact that it can be updated for free if our computer is compatible (to begin with, the requirements are to have twice the RAM and disk space of its predecessor), the point is that it is not something that is totally necessary. In addition, after years of availability, bugs have been fixed and optimization and security improved. Therefore, why would we want to change? Luckily, if we are not sure that we want to take the leap, we have ways around it.

This update is in Windows Update, and the easiest way to stop it is through this section of the Windows configuration menu.

• We access the Configuration menu with the hotkey Windows+I, and within this we go to Update and security.
• Once inside we access Windows Update, which is in the menu on the left.
• Here we will find the option of "Pause notifications for 7 days."
• If we enter Advanced Options we can modify this period up to 35 days.

Keep in mind that Windows 10 will continue to be supported by Microsoft until October 14, 2025. Therefore, there is still a large margin of time during which it can be enjoy the platform without inconvenience and without the need to jump to a later version.

In the event that you do want to update, Microsoft has a philosophy similar to the one it introduced at the time when Windows 10 was the most current version. In order to help users update their operating system, if your PC runs the latest version of Windows 10 and meets the minimum hardware specifications can be upgraded to version 11 for free. For more information, you can check Settings/Windows Update to see if the update is ready for your device.