Windows 10 20H2 is now rolling out as an optional update, but if you want to start using the new features and improvements immediately or create a virtual machine, you can also download the ISO file with the new installation files.
Although the recommended method to upgrade to the October 2020 Update is to use Windows Update, you also have the option to upgrade using Windows 10 ISO file. The only caveat is that when you use a Windows 10 device to download the ISO from the Microsoft support website, you’re only given the choice to get the “Update Assistant” or “Media Creation Tool.”
If you don’t want to use these tools, you can download the ISO file of the Windows 10 20H2 directly from the Microsoft servers by tricking the site to think you’re using a different operating system.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to download the Windows 10 20H2 (October 2020 Update) ISO file directly from the Microsoft servers.
Windows 10 20H2 ISO file direct download
Use these steps to download the Windows 10 20H2 ISO file directly without the Media Creation Tool.
To download the Windows 10 20H2 ISO with Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
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Open this download page on Microsoft Edge. (If you get redirected, it’s an expected behavior.)
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Right-click on the page and select the Inspect option.
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Click the three-dotted menu button on the top-right, and select the More tools menu, and choose the Network conditions option.
Edge network conditions option -
Under the “User agent” section, clear the Select automatically option.
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Select the Safari – Mac option from the “User agent” drop-down menu.
Set new user agent in Edge -
Refresh the page if the browser doesn’t reload automatically.
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Select the Windows 10 option under “Windows 10 October 2020 Update.”
Windows 10 20H2 direct download using Edge -
Click the Confirm button.
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Select the product language from the drop-down menu.
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Click the Confirm button.
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Click the button to download the Windows 10 20H2 ISO to begin the process.
To download the Windows 10 20H2 ISO with Chrome, use these steps:
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Right-click on the page and select the Inspect option.
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Click the three-dotted menu button on the top-right, and select the More tools menu, and choose the Network conditions option.
Chrome network conditions option -
Under the “User agent” section, clear the Select automatically option.
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Select the Safari – Mac option from the “User agent” drop-down menu.
Set new user agent in Chrome -
Refresh the page if the browser doesn’t reload automatically.
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Select the Windows 10 option under “Windows 10 October 2020 Update.”
Windows 10 20H2 ISO direct download using Chrome -
Click the Confirm button.
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Select the product language from the drop-down menu.
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Click the Confirm button.
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Click the button to download the Windows 10 20H2 ISO to begin the process.
To download the Windows 10 20H2 ISO with Firefox, use these steps:
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Use the Ctrl + Shift + M keyboard shortcut to open the “Responsive design view.”
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Click the Responsive button at the top, and select the iPad option from the list.
Change user agent in Firefox -
Click the Refresh button.
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Select the Windows 10 option under “Windows 10 October 2020 Update.”
Windows 10 20H2 ISO direct download using Firefox -
Click the Confirm button.
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Select the language from the drop-down menu.
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Click the Confirm button.
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Click the button to download the Windows 10 ISO to begin the process.
After downloading the ISO file, you can use tools, such as Rufus to create a bootable media of Windows 10.
You can also follow this video tutorial that highlights every steps to download the file.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.