Get Windows 10 for Your Organization

This blog post is more than five years old. That's a long time! To learn about Windows 11 for nonprofits, go here.

Windows 10 became available for download through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) on August 3, 2015. For the first year it was available, Microsoft offered a free upgrade. Since that offer came to an end, these are now the ways that your organization can get Windows 10.

If You Have Active Software Assurance, Use It to Get Your Free Upgrade

If you have active Software Assurance, it's important to upgrade through the VLSC rather than through Microsoft's other upgrade routes. Why? Upgrading through the VLSC is the only way to get Windows 10 Enterprise and keep your Software Assurance benefits — like access to e-learning courses. Even if you don't use the Enterprise edition currently, you'll keep your license rights to that edition if you want to upgrade from Pro to Enterprise later on.

If you requested a Windows upgrade license through TechSoup in the last two years, you have active Software Assurance for that license, and you'll be able to download the upgrade for free. See our instructions for downloading software from the VLSC.

If You Don't Have Active Software Assurance, Request a License Through TechSoup

If you're a nonprofit or library that's eligible for Microsoft donations through TechSoup but you don't have Windows upgrade licenses with active Software Assurance, the easiest way to get a donation of Windows 10 Enterprise is to request a Windows Operating System Upgrade license through TechSoup.

If you don't have an operating system that's eligible for an upgrade license, you might be eligible to request a Windows Pro Full Operating System — Get Genuine license first to obtain Windows 10 Pro. Then you can request an upgrade license through TechSoup to get the Enterprise edition.

Summary of Windows 10 Upgrade Options for Nonprofits

Refer to the table below to learn how to upgrade to Windows 10.