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When upgrading to Windows 10 with an ISO file, do we first need to upgrade to the original version or can we jump right to the newest ISO? Getty Images

When upgrading to Windows 10 with an ISO file, do we first need to upgrade to the original version or can we jump right to the newest ISO?

Q. When upgrading to Windows 10 with an ISO file, do we first need to upgrade to the original version or can we jump right to the newest ISO? I've been installing the original version first on the computers I upgrade. But it seems like a huge waste of time. Can I skip the upgrade-to-the-original-version step?

​A. Good news: Unlike some earlier versions of Windows, you can upgrade directly to the latest Win10 version.

As you surmise, this eliminates the need to go through a long round of additional updates immediately after installation.

The Get Windows 10 page always has the latest-released files for both the Win10 ISO download and the in-place "live" upgrade.

Once you have Win10 up and running, you’ll still have to add the most recent patches via Windows Update. But this, too, will be relatively quick because most Win10 updates are cumulative — the most recent update includes nearly all past updates.

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Editor's note: We feature an abridged Q&A from Fred Langa's LANGALIST, a column available exclusively to paid subscribers of the Windows Secrets newsletter,. What you see here is just a small sampling of what Langa's writing for the newsletter — go here for more information on how to subscribe.

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