How to Install USB Windows 10

Installing Windows 10 from a USB drive is a remarkably efficient method, offering a cleaner and often faster setup compared to optical media. This process is particularly beneficial for modern hardware that may not include optical drives, or for users seeking to perform a fresh installation without the need for DVDs. The underlying principle involves creating a bootable USB drive that contains the Windows 10 installation files, allowing your computer to boot from it and initiate the setup process. This guide will walk you through the entire procedure, from preparing your materials to completing the installation.

Preparing Your Materials

Before embarking on the Windows 10 USB installation, it’s crucial to gather the necessary components and ensure you have everything in order. This preparatory phase minimizes potential roadblocks and ensures a smooth installation experience.

Acquiring the Windows 10 Installation Media

The first and most critical step is to obtain the Windows 10 installation files. Microsoft provides a free tool, the Media Creation Tool, which is the official and safest way to download the latest version of Windows 10.

• Download the Media Creation Tool: Navigate to the official Microsoft Windows 10 download page on their website. Look for the “Download tool now” button. This will download a small executable file.
• Run the Media Creation Tool: Once downloaded, run the executable. You will need to accept the license terms to proceed.
• Choose “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”: This option is vital. Selecting “Upgrade this PC now” will only upgrade your current installation, not create a bootable media.
• Select Language, Edition, and Architecture: The tool will usually default to recommendations based on your current PC. If you are creating media for a different computer or want a specific configuration, uncheck “Use the recommended options for this PC” and make your selections. Ensure the Edition (e.g., Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro) and Architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) are correct for your target system. Most modern computers utilize 64-bit architecture.
• Choose “USB flash drive”: When prompted to choose which media to use, select “USB flash drive.”

Selecting and Preparing the USB Flash Drive

A USB flash drive is the core component for this installation method. Its capacity and condition are important factors.

• Minimum Capacity: You will need a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage. It’s advisable to use a drive with a bit more capacity if available, as Windows updates and future versions can sometimes exceed this minimum.
• Data Backup: Crucially, ensure that the USB drive you intend to use does not contain any important data. The Media Creation Tool will format the drive, erasing everything on it. Back up any files you wish to keep to another location before proceeding.
• Drive Health: While less common, a faulty USB drive can cause installation issues. If you encounter persistent problems, consider trying a different USB drive.

Ensuring System Requirements and BIOS/UEFI Access

Before you begin the installation, confirm that the target computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 10 and that you can access its BIOS or UEFI settings.

• Windows 10 System Requirements:
  • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
  • RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
  • Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS or 20 GB for 64-bit OS
  • Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
  • Display: 800×600 resolution
• BIOS/UEFI Access: You will need to boot from the USB drive. This requires configuring your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) to prioritize USB boot devices. The key to access BIOS/UEFI varies by manufacturer but is typically one of the following keys pressed immediately after powering on the computer: Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc. You may need to consult your computer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website if you are unsure.

Creating the Bootable USB Drive

With your materials prepared, the next step is to use the Media Creation Tool to format your USB drive and copy the Windows 10 installation files onto it.

Using the Media Creation Tool

This process is guided and straightforward, provided you have followed the preparation steps correctly.

1. Launch the Media Creation Tool: Open the tool you downloaded earlier.
2. Accept License Terms: Click “Accept” on the applicable notices and license terms screen.
3. Select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”: As mentioned in the preparation section, this is the critical selection.
4. Choose Language, Edition, and Architecture: Ensure these settings are correct for your intended installation. If you are unsure about the architecture, checking the “System Information” on the target PC (if it’s currently running) can help. For most modern PCs, 64-bit is the standard.
5. Select “USB flash drive”: This directs the tool to prepare a removable drive.
6. Choose Your USB Drive: The tool will list all connected USB drives. Carefully select the correct USB drive you intend to use. Double-check that you have chosen the drive with at least 8GB capacity and that you have backed up any data from it.
7. Initiate the Download and Creation Process: Click “Next.” The Media Creation Tool will now download the Windows 10 files from Microsoft’s servers. This process can take a significant amount of time, depending on your internet connection speed. Once downloaded, the tool will automatically format the USB drive and copy the files, making it bootable.
8. Completion: Once the process is complete, you will see a message indicating that your USB flash drive is ready. Click “Finish.”

You now have a bootable Windows 10 USB drive, ready to be used for installation.

Installing Windows 10 from USB

With the bootable USB drive in hand, you can now proceed with the installation on your target computer. This involves booting from the USB drive and following the on-screen setup prompts.

Configuring Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

To boot from the USB drive, you need to tell your computer to prioritize it over its internal hard drive or SSD.

1. Insert the USB Drive: Plug the bootable Windows 10 USB drive into a USB port on the computer where you want to install Windows 10.
2. Restart or Power On the Computer: Turn on the computer or restart it if it’s already on.
3. Access BIOS/UEFI: Immediately after the computer powers on, repeatedly press the BIOS/UEFI access key (e.g., Del, F2, F10, F12, Esc). The exact key is usually displayed on the screen briefly during startup.
4. Navigate to Boot Settings: Once in the BIOS/UEFI setup utility, look for a section related to “Boot,” “Boot Order,” “Boot Sequence,” or “Boot Priority.” The interface can vary significantly between manufacturers.
5. Set USB as the First Boot Device: Use the arrow keys to navigate and find your USB drive in the list of bootable devices. It might be listed by its manufacturer name (e.g., SanDisk, Kingston) or as a generic “USB HDD,” “Removable Device,” or “UEFI USB Device.” Move the USB drive to the top of the boot order list.
6. Save and Exit: Navigate to the “Exit” or “Save & Exit” section. Select the option to “Save Changes and Exit” or “Exit Saving Changes.” Confirm your choice if prompted. The computer will then restart.

If you have configured the boot order correctly, the computer will attempt to boot from the USB drive. You should see a message like “Press any key to boot from USB…” If you see this, press any key on your keyboard quickly. If you miss it, you may need to restart the computer and try again.

The Windows 10 Setup Process

Once the computer boots from the USB drive, the Windows 10 installation wizard will begin.

1. Windows Setup Screen: You will be greeted by the Windows Setup screen, which will typically show the Windows logo and a language selection prompt.
2. Language, Time, and Keyboard Input: Select your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method. Click “Next.”
3. Install Now: Click the “Install now” button to begin the installation.
4. Product Key: You will be prompted to enter your Windows product key.
   • If you have a product key, enter it now.
   • If you are reinstalling Windows 10 on a computer that was previously activated with a digital license, you can click “I don’t have a product key.” Windows will automatically activate online once the installation is complete and connected to the internet.
   • If you are performing a clean install and do not have a product key, you can proceed without one, but the operating system will remain unactivated until you provide one later.
5. Select Operating System Version: If your USB drive contains multiple editions of Windows 10 (e.g., Home and Pro), you will be asked to choose which version you want to install. Make sure to select the version for which you have a license or intend to use.
6. Accept License Terms: Read the Microsoft software license terms and check the box that says “I accept the license terms.” Click “Next.”
7. Choose Installation Type: This is a crucial step. You will be presented with two options:
   • Upgrade: This option installs Windows 10 and keeps your files, settings, and applications. This is only available if you are running a compatible version of Windows already and launching the setup from within that OS. Since you are booting from USB, this option will likely be unavailable or not recommended for a clean install.
   • Custom: Install Windows only (advanced): This is the option you should choose for a clean installation. It allows you to partition your hard drive, format existing partitions, and install a fresh copy of Windows 10.
8. Disk Partitioning (Custom Installation):
   • You will see a list of drives and partitions on your computer.
   • For a clean installation on a new or wiped drive: Select the unallocated space (or the drive where you want to install Windows) and click “New” to create a new partition. Windows will automatically create the necessary system partitions (e.g., System Reserved, Recovery). Then, select the primary partition you just created and click “Next.”
   • For a clean installation on a drive with existing partitions: Select the partition where Windows is currently installed (usually labeled “Primary” and the largest in size). Be absolutely sure you are selecting the correct partition, as formatting will erase all data on it. Click “Format,” and then select the newly formatted partition and click “Next.” Alternatively, you can delete all existing partitions related to your current operating system and then create a new one from the unallocated space.
   • Warning: Formatting or deleting partitions will permanently erase all data on them. Back up any important files before proceeding.
9. Windows Installation: Windows will now begin copying files, installing features, and installing updates. This process will take some time, and your computer will restart multiple times. Do not remove the USB drive during this process until prompted.
10. Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE): After the final restart, you will enter the Windows Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). This is where you configure basic settings for your new Windows 10 installation.
    • Region and Keyboard Layout: Confirm your region and keyboard layout.
    • Account Setup: You will be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. Using a Microsoft account offers cloud syncing features and access to the Microsoft Store. For a local account, you’ll typically need to click on “Offline account” or “Skip this step” (the wording may vary).
    • Cortana and Privacy Settings: Configure your preferences for Cortana and various privacy settings, such as location services, diagnostic data, and tailored experiences. It’s recommended to review these settings carefully.
    • Other Settings: You may be asked to set up a PIN, configure OneDrive, and choose other preferences.
11. Desktop: Once you complete the OOBE, you will be presented with your new Windows 10 desktop.

Post-Installation Steps

After successfully installing Windows 10, there are a few essential steps to ensure your system is up-to-date and fully functional.

• Connect to the Internet: Ensure your computer is connected to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
• Run Windows Update: This is the most critical post-installation task. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” Install all available updates, including driver updates. Your system may restart multiple times during this process.
• Install Drivers: While Windows Update often installs generic drivers, it’s advisable to install specific drivers for your hardware (graphics card, sound card, motherboard chipset, etc.) from the manufacturer’s website. This can significantly improve performance and stability.
• Activate Windows: If you didn’t enter a product key during installation, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation to enter your product key or confirm your digital license.
• Install Essential Software: Install your preferred web browser, antivirus software (if not using Windows Defender), and any other applications you regularly use.

By following these steps, you will have successfully installed Windows 10 from a USB drive, providing a clean and efficient operating system for your computer.