How to Install Windows 10 on a New PC

Building a new PC is a rewarding endeavor, bringing together individual components to create a powerful, personalized machine. Once the hardware is assembled and powered on, the next crucial step is to install a functioning operating system. For many, Windows 10 remains the operating system of choice due to its widespread compatibility, familiar interface, and robust feature set. This guide will walk you through the entire process of installing Windows 10 on your brand-new computer, from preparing your installation media to the final setup.

Preparing Your Windows 10 Installation Media

Before you can install Windows 10, you need a way to boot from and install the operating system. This typically involves creating a bootable USB flash drive. While you can use a DVD, USB drives are more common and generally faster for installation.

Downloading the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

The most straightforward method to create bootable installation media is by using Microsoft’s official Media Creation Tool. This tool allows you to download the latest version of Windows 10 directly from Microsoft and prepare it on a USB drive or ISO file.

Visit the Official Microsoft Website: Search for “Download Windows 10” on your preferred search engine and navigate to the official Microsoft download page.
Download the Tool: Locate the “Download tool now” button and click it to download the Media Creation Tool.
Run the Tool: Once the download is complete, double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to run it. Accept the license terms when prompted.
Choose “Create installation media”: On the “What do you want to do?” screen, select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” and click “Next.”

Creating the Bootable USB Drive

With the Media Creation Tool ready, you can now create your bootable USB drive.

Select Language, Edition, and Architecture: The tool will usually recommend options based on your current PC. However, since this is a new PC, you can select your preferred language, Windows 10 edition (Home or Pro are common for new builds), and architecture (64-bit is standard for modern hardware). Ensure you select the correct edition and architecture as you won’t be able to change it easily after installation without a reformat. Click “Next.”
Choose Media Type: Select “USB flash drive” and click “Next.”
Insert Your USB Drive: Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage to your computer. Important: All data on the USB drive will be erased during this process, so ensure it doesn’t contain any important files.
Select Your USB Drive: The Media Creation Tool will list available USB drives. Select the correct one and click “Next.”
Downloading and Creating: The tool will now download the Windows 10 files and create the bootable USB drive. This process can take some time depending on your internet speed and the USB drive’s speed. Once it’s finished, you’ll see a confirmation message. Click “Finish.”

Alternatively, you can choose to download an ISO file, which you can later use with tools like Rufus to create a bootable USB or burn to a DVD.

Booting from Your Installation Media

With your bootable USB drive prepared, the next step is to instruct your new PC to boot from it, rather than from any existing storage devices (which are currently empty). This is done through your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings.

Accessing BIOS/UEFI

Every computer manufacturer has a specific key you need to press during the initial startup to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. This usually happens very quickly after pressing the power button. Common keys include:

Delete (DEL)
F2
F10
F12
Esc

Watch your monitor closely during the initial boot sequence. You’ll often see a message like “Press [Key] to enter Setup” or “Press [Key] for Boot Menu.” Press the indicated key repeatedly as soon as you power on your PC.

Configuring Boot Order

Once you’re in the BIOS/UEFI menu, you’ll need to find the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section. The exact location and naming conventions vary significantly between motherboard manufacturers and BIOS versions. Look for options related to:

Boot Priority
Boot Sequence
Boot Devices

Within this section, you will see a list of devices your computer can boot from. Your goal is to move your USB drive (it might be listed by its brand name or as “USB HDD,” “Removable Device,” or similar) to the top of the boot order, making it the first device the computer attempts to boot from.

Navigate to the Boot Section: Use your keyboard’s arrow keys to navigate.
Adjust Boot Order: Use the keys indicated on the screen (often Page Up/Page Down, +/-, or F5/F6) to move your USB drive to the top.
Save and Exit: Once the USB drive is set as the primary boot device, you need to save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Look for an option like “Save and Exit,” “Exit Saving Changes,” or press the designated key (often F10). Confirm your choice if prompted.

Your PC will then restart. If you’ve configured the boot order correctly, it should now attempt to boot from the USB drive, and you’ll see a message like “Press any key to boot from USB…” If you see this, press any key to proceed.

Installing Windows 10

With your PC booting from the USB drive, the Windows 10 installation process begins. This is a guided, step-by-step process.

Initial Setup Screens

Language and Keyboard Settings: The first screen will ask you to select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method. Choose your preferences and click “Next.”
Install Now: Click the “Install now” button.
Product Key: You’ll be prompted to enter your Windows product key.
- If you have a product key, enter it and click “Next.”
- If you don’t have a product key yet (e.g., you plan to activate later or are transferring a digital license), click “I don’t have a product key.” You can activate Windows later after installation.
Select Operating System: If you clicked “I don’t have a product key,” you’ll need to choose the edition of Windows 10 you want to install. Make sure this matches the edition for which you have a license or intend to purchase one (e.g., Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro). Click “Next.”
Accept License Terms: Read through the Microsoft license terms, check the box that says “I accept the license terms,” and click “Next.”

Choosing Installation Type

This is a critical step where you decide how Windows will be installed.

Upgrade vs. Custom: You will be presented with two options:
- Upgrade: This option installs Windows 10 and keeps your files, settings, and applications. This is typically used when upgrading from an older version of Windows on an existing PC. For a new PC, this option will not be available or applicable.
- Custom: Install Windows only (advanced): This is the option you need for a new PC. It allows you to perform a clean installation, which is recommended for new builds. Select this option.

Disk Partitioning and Installation

The “Custom” installation leads you to disk management. This is where you tell Windows where to install itself.

Select Drive and Partition: You will see a list of drives and partitions on your computer. Since this is a new PC, your storage drive(s) will likely show up as “Unallocated Space.”
- Single Drive Installation: If you have only one SSD or HDD for Windows, select the “Unallocated Space” on that drive. Click “Next.” Windows will automatically create the necessary partitions (System Reserved, Recovery, and the main partition for Windows) and begin the installation.
- Multiple Drives / Custom Partitioning: If you have multiple drives or want to create custom partitions, you can click “New” to create partitions from the unallocated space. You can specify the size for each partition. It’s generally recommended to let Windows handle partitioning automatically for a clean install unless you have specific needs (e.g., setting aside space for data on a separate partition).
- Existing Partitions (if any): If you see existing partitions from a previous installation or drive formatting, you can delete them (select the partition and click “Delete”) to create unallocated space, or format them (select and click “Format”). Be extremely careful here; deleting or formatting the wrong partition will erase data. For a new PC with no prior data, deleting all existing partitions and selecting the primary unallocated space is the safest approach.

Windows Installation: Once you’ve selected the drive/partition where you want to install Windows, click “Next.” The installation process will begin. This involves copying files, installing features, installing updates, and finishing up. Your computer will restart multiple times during this phase. Do not remove the USB drive until Windows prompts you to.

Initial Windows 10 Setup (OOBE – Out-Of-Box Experience)

After the main installation files are copied and the system restarts for the final time from your hard drive/SSD, you’ll enter the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) to configure your Windows 10 settings.

Region and Keyboard Layout

Correct Region: Confirm your region and click “Yes.”
Correct Keyboard Layout: Confirm your keyboard layout and click “Yes.”
Second Keyboard Layout (Optional): You can choose to add a second keyboard layout or skip this step by clicking “Skip.”

Network Connection

Connect to a Network: You’ll be prompted to connect to a network. Choose your Wi-Fi network and enter the password, or if you’re using an Ethernet cable, it should connect automatically. Connecting to the internet is highly recommended during setup as it allows Windows to download essential updates and drivers. If you absolutely cannot connect at this moment, there might be a “I don’t have internet” option (especially on newer builds of Windows 10, though this is becoming less common), which will let you proceed with a local account.

Account Setup

This is a crucial part of the setup. You’ll be asked to sign in with or create a Microsoft account.

Microsoft Account:
- Sign In: If you have a Microsoft account (used for Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, etc.), enter your email address and password. This will link your PC to your Microsoft account, enabling features like OneDrive syncing and easier access to the Microsoft Store.
- Create Account: If you don’t have one, you can create a new Microsoft account.
Local Account (if available): If you cannot or prefer not to use a Microsoft account, look for an option to create a local account. This creates a traditional username and password that is only stored on your PC. The wording for this option can be a bit hidden, often appearing as “Offline account,” “Limited experience,” or found under the “I don’t have internet” path.
Create PIN: For easier and more secure logins, you’ll be prompted to create a PIN. This is a four-digit code for quick access.
Privacy Settings: You’ll be presented with various privacy settings. Review each one carefully. Options include location services, diagnostic data, tailored experiences, and advertising ID. Choose the settings that best suit your privacy preferences and click “Accept.”

Cortana Setup

You may be asked if you want to set up Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant. You can choose to “Not now” or “Yes” if you plan to use it.

Finalizing Setup

Windows will now finalize your settings and prepare your desktop. This process can take a few minutes. You’ll see messages like “Getting things ready for you,” “This might take a few minutes,” and “Don’t turn off your PC.”

Once complete, you will be greeted by your new Windows 10 desktop.

Post-Installation Tasks and Drivers

Your new PC is now running Windows 10, but the process isn’t entirely finished. To ensure optimal performance and full functionality, several post-installation tasks are essential.

Windows Updates

The first and most critical step is to check for and install Windows Updates. This ensures you have the latest security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

Open Settings: Click the Start button and select the gear icon to open the Settings app.
Go to Update & Security: Click on “Update & Security.”
Check for Updates: Click the “Check for updates” button. Windows will scan for available updates and download them. This process can take a considerable amount of time and may require multiple restarts. Install all available updates, including optional ones that might include driver updates.

Installing Drivers

While Windows Update often installs generic drivers, it’s crucial to install the specific drivers provided by your hardware manufacturers for optimal performance and to unlock all features of your components.

Motherboard Drivers

Your motherboard houses many essential components, including the chipset, audio, network (Ethernet/Wi-Fi), and USB controllers.

Identify Your Motherboard Model: You should know the exact model of your motherboard.
Visit Manufacturer’s Website: Go to the support section of your motherboard manufacturer’s website (e.g., ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock).
Download Drivers: Find your specific motherboard model and navigate to the “Support” or “Downloads” section. Download the latest drivers for:
- Chipset drivers: These are critical for system stability and communication between components.
- Audio drivers: For your sound card.
- LAN/Ethernet drivers: For wired network connectivity.
- Wi-Fi/Bluetooth drivers: If your motherboard has these integrated.
- USB drivers: Sometimes included with chipset drivers.
Install Drivers: Run the downloaded executable files for each driver, following the on-screen prompts. It’s generally recommended to install chipset drivers first, followed by network drivers, then audio, and other peripherals.

Graphics Card Drivers

If you’ve installed a dedicated graphics card (GPU), installing its specific drivers is paramount for gaming, video editing, and general display performance.

Identify Your GPU Model: Know the exact model of your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT).
Visit Manufacturer’s Website: Go to the NVIDIA or AMD website (depending on your card) and navigate to their driver download section.
Download Drivers: Select your GPU model and operating system (Windows 10 64-bit). Download the latest stable driver.
Install Drivers: Run the installer. A clean installation option is often available and recommended. This will remove any old driver files before installing the new ones.

Other Hardware Drivers

Peripherals: If you have any other specific hardware like a high-end sound card, capture card, or specialized input devices, visit their respective manufacturer’s websites for drivers.
Storage Controller Drivers: If you are using NVMe SSDs or RAID configurations, you might need to manually install specific storage controller drivers, though often these are handled by the motherboard chipset drivers.

Software Installation

With drivers and updates in place, you can now start installing your essential software.

Web Browsers: Install your preferred web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge).
Productivity Software: Install office suites, creative applications, and any other programs you use regularly.
Utilities: Install security software (antivirus/antimalware), system utilities, and backup tools.
Games: Download and install your game launchers (Steam, Epic Games Store, etc.) and games.

By following these steps meticulously, you will have a fully functional and optimized Windows 10 installation on your new PC, ready for whatever tasks you throw at it.