If you’re reading this, you probably have a Windows 10 PC that still works fine — and the good news is you can still download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, create bootable USB drives, and even upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Here’s exactly how to navigate the post‑support landscape without falling into security traps.

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Support end date: October 14, 2025 ·
Official download source: Microsoft Software Download Windows 10 ·
Alternative tool: Rufus ·
USB drive minimum size: 8 GB

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025 (Microsoft Support)
  • Media Creation Tool still downloadable as of March 2026 (Microsoft Support) (Microsoft Support)
  • Free Windows 11 upgrade still available for eligible devices (gHacks)
2What’s unclear
  • How long Microsoft will keep the Media Creation Tool available
  • Whether third‑party antivirus is enough to protect an unsupported Windows 10
  • Future enterprise update policies for Windows 10
3Timeline signal
  • Windows 10 released July 29, 2015
  • Final feature update (22H2) released May 2022
  • Support ended October 14, 2025
  • Media Creation Tool still available March 2026
4What’s next
  • Create bootable USB now while the tool works
  • Consider upgrading to Windows 11 if your PC meets the requirements
  • If staying, use Rufus as a fallback for ISO creation

Five key details about Windows 10 after support ended, one pattern: Microsoft still offers the tools, but the safety net is gone.

Fact Detail
Windows 10 End of Support October 14, 2025
Latest Windows 10 Version 22H2
Media Creation Tool Availability Still downloadable as of March 2026
Minimum USB Size 8 GB
Official Download Source Microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

How do I get the media creation tool for Windows 10?

What is the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool?

  • It’s an official Microsoft utility that creates installation media (USB or DVD) or upgrades a PC directly (Microsoft Support).
  • The tool is still available for Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 devices.
The upshot

Microsoft built the Media Creation Tool to be the one‑stop installer for anyone who needs a fresh copy of Windows. For Windows 10 users, it’s the safest way to get a clean install — even after support ended.

Where to download the official Media Creation Tool?

Head to Microsoft’s official Windows 10 download page at Microsoft.com/software-download/windows10. Click “Download tool now” to get MediaCreationTool.exe (the version suffix, like MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe, depends on your current build). Run the executable and choose “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)” (Microsoft Support).

Bottom line: The tool still works as of early 2026. For anyone who needs a Windows 10 install USB: download it while Microsoft keeps the page up. For upgraders: consider the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool instead — but be aware of a reported bug that made it crash on Windows 10 in October 2025 (gHacks).

The implication: Microsoft is keeping the tool alive but no longer guarantees flawless operation on Windows 10. If it fails, the backup plan is Rufus.

How do I make a bootable USB for Windows 10?

Can you still create a Windows 10 bootable USB after support ended?

Yes. The Media Creation Tool still works on Windows 10 (as of March 2026). Choose “USB flash drive” in the tool, plug in an 8 GB or larger drive, and let it format and copy the files. Microsoft explicitly says not to copy the ISO directly onto the drive — run the tool instead (Microsoft Q&A).

How to create a bootable USB manually without the tool?

  1. Download a Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s download page.
  2. Use a third‑party tool like Rufus — open source and Windows‑native — to write the ISO to a USB drive (Microsoft Q&A).
  3. In Rufus, select the ISO, choose GPT or MBR partition scheme, and click Start.
Why this matters

Rufus isn’t just a fallback — it’s a faster, more reliable tool for creating bootable USB drives than the Media Creation Tool, and Microsoft’s own support team recommends it as a dedicated alternative (Microsoft Q&A).

Can Rufus create a bootable USB drive?

  • Yes. Rufus can create a bootable USB from any Windows ISO, including Windows 10.
  • It also supports downloading Windows ISOs directly from Microsoft, letting you pick the version and edition (WindowsForum).
  • No product key required at download time.
Bottom line: Windows 10 USB creation is still straightforward. Use the official tool first; if it fails (reported close crashes in late 2025), switch to Rufus. For anyone who needs a reliable backup installer: Rufus is the recommended alternative.

The trade‑off: the Media Creation Tool is simple but brittle; Rufus gives you more control but requires a separate ISO download. Either way, you can still get a Windows 10 install USB.

Is Windows 10 still safe in 2026?

What are the risks of using Windows 10 after support ended?

  • No more security updates from Microsoft. After October 14, 2025, Microsoft stopped releasing patches for vulnerabilities (Microsoft Support).
  • Newly discovered exploits won’t be fixed, making the OS increasingly vulnerable to malware and ransomware.
  • Third‑party antivirus can help but cannot patch kernel‑level vulnerabilities.

How to secure Windows 10 after October 14, 2025?

  1. Use a reputable antivirus suite (e.g., Windows Defender still gets definition updates until 2028).
  2. Keep Windows 10 version 22H2 with all pre‑end‑of‑support cumulative updates installed.
  3. Limit internet exposure: avoid using the machine for online banking or sensitive logins.
  4. Consider moving essential tasks to a supported OS (Windows 11 or a Linux live USB).
The catch

Antivirus software reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it. If a zero‑day exploit targets the kernel, no third‑party tool can fully protect you. The safest long‑term move is upgrading to Windows 11 — still free for eligible devices.

The pattern: security for an unsupported OS is a matter of mitigation, not prevention. Every month that passes increases the gap between known vulnerabilities and available fixes.

Can I stay on Windows 10 forever?

Can you still upgrade to Windows 11 for free in 2026?

Yes. Microsoft has not announced an end date for the free upgrade offer. As of March 2026, eligible Windows 10 devices can upgrade to Windows 11 at no cost (gHacks). Use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool or Windows Update to initiate the upgrade — just be aware that the tool had crashing issues on Windows 10 in October 2025 (Microsoft was working on a fix at that time, according to gHacks).

What are the Windows 11 system requirements?

The minimum requirements for a free Windows 11 upgrade are as follows.

Component Minimum Requirement
Processor 1 GHz, 2+ cores on a compatible 64‑bit CPU
RAM 4 GB
Storage 64 GB or larger
System firmware UEFI with Secure Boot
TPM TPM 2.0
Graphics DirectX 12 compatible
Display ≥9‑inch, HD (720p)
The paradox

You can technically stay on Windows 10 forever — but the security clock is ticking. For users with modern hardware (TPM 2.0, 8th‑gen Intel or Ryzen 2000 and up), the free upgrade to Windows 11 is the safer bet. For those with older PCs, the decision is harder: either accept the risk or buy new hardware.

The choice: upgrade to Windows 11 while it’s free, or lock your Windows 10 machine behind a strong firewall and treat it as an air‑gapped workstation. There’s no safe middle ground without updates.

How do I check if my PC is compatible?

How to check if a device meets Windows 11 system requirements after changing hardware?

  • Download and run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app from the official Microsoft Support site.
  • Check manually: open System Information to see processor generation, installed RAM, and storage size; run tpm.msc to verify TPM 2.0; check BIOS for Secure Boot.
  • If the PC fails compatibility, consider upgrading the hardware (new CPU/motherboard) or staying on Windows 10 with enhanced security measures.
What to watch

The PC Health Check is the most reliable tool, but it doesn’t diagnose third‑party components. If you’ve swapped a motherboard or added a discrete GPU, re‑run the check after the change — some motherboards have TPM disabled by default.

The pattern: compatibility is a binary gate. Once you know TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are on, the rest (RAM, storage, CPU generation) is easy to confirm. If you’re stuck without TPM, your upgrade path is blocked — at least with official tools.

Upsides

  • Media Creation Tool is free and official
  • Rufus provides a reliable fallback
  • Free Windows 11 upgrade still available
  • Windows 10 22H2 is a stable, mature OS

Downsides

  • No more security updates after Oct 2025
  • Media Creation Tool may crash on Windows 10
  • Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements
  • Staying on Windows 10 requires manual security measures

Timeline

  • — Windows 10 released
  • — Windows 10 version 22H2 released (final feature update)
  • — Windows 10 support ended (Microsoft Support)
  • — Media Creation Tool still available for download

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025
  • Media Creation Tool is still available on Microsoft’s website
  • Free upgrade to Windows 11 is still possible for eligible devices
  • Rufus can create bootable USB from Windows ISO
  • USB drive must be at least 8 GB

What’s not clear

  • Duration of Media Creation Tool availability after support end
  • Effectiveness of third‑party security solutions for unsupported Windows 10
  • Future policy on Windows 10 updates for enterprise customers
  • When Microsoft will fix the Media Creation Tool crashing bug on Windows 10

Key perspectives

Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025.

— Microsoft Support (official statement)

Microsoft introduced Windows 10 Media Creation Tool as a convenient utility for creating installation media, but after the end of support the tool’s behavior is less predictable.

— gHacks (March 2026 analysis, reporting)

The post‑support landscape for Windows 10 is a calculated trade‑off. You can still create installation media and even upgrade to Windows 11 for free — but every day you stay on an unsupported OS, the security gap widens. For users with compatible hardware, the choice is clear: upgrade now while the free path exists. For those with older PCs, the safer route is to create a Windows 10 install USB, lock down the system, and plan for a hardware refresh within the next year. Waiting longer only increases exposure to exploits that will never be patched.

Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com

For a detailed walkthrough, you can also refer to this Windows 10 Media Creation Tool guide that covers the same process on another site.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I still download Windows 10 ISO without the Media Creation Tool?

Yes. Microsoft’s download page offers a direct ISO download option if you select “Download Windows 10 Disk Image (ISO)” instead of the tool. You can then use Rufus to create a bootable USB.

Will Windows 10 stop working after support ends?

No, the OS will continue to boot and run normally. However, without security updates, it becomes increasingly vulnerable to new threats over time.

Is it legal to continue using Windows 10 after support ends?

Yes. Microsoft’s end of support does not revoke your license. You can keep using Windows 10 indefinitely, but Microsoft no longer provides updates or assistance.

What happens if I try to upgrade to Windows 11 with incompatible hardware?

Windows Update will block the upgrade. You can bypass the TPM 2.0 check with registry tweaks, but Microsoft warns that unsupported installations may not receive updates and could be less stable.

Can I use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows 11 USB?

Yes. The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool works on Windows 10 (with some reported crash issues in late 2025). Alternatively, download the Windows 11 ISO directly and use Rufus.

How do I get the Media Creation Tool on a Mac?

You need to run Windows via Boot Camp or a virtual machine first, then download the tool from Microsoft’s site. There is no native Mac version.

Does the Media Creation Tool work on Linux?

No. The tool is a Windows executable. Linux users can download the Windows ISO from Microsoft and use tools like WoeUSB or Ventoy to create bootable media.

Can I use the Media Creation Tool to reinstall Windows 10 on a new drive?

Yes. Boot from the USB drive you created, then follow the installation wizard. You’ll need a valid Windows 10 license (digital entitlement or product key).

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