Greetings, dear readers!
In this article, we will guide you on how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB. Having a bootable USB can be useful in many scenarios; for instance, if your operating system fails to start or if you want to install or upgrade Windows 10 on a different computer. Creating a bootable USB is a straightforward process, and we are here to help you with that.
Are you ready to learn the steps? Let’s dive into it!
Steps
Step 1: Download the Windows 10 ISO File
The first step is to download the Windows 10 ISO file. You can download it from the official Microsoft website. Ensure you choose the correct edition and language to match your system requirements. Once you download the file, make sure that it is stored in a relevant folder on your computer.
Step 2: Prepare the USB Drive
The second step involves preparing the USB drive that you will use to make the bootable Windows 10 installation media. Connect the USB drive to your computer and open the Disk Management tool. Right-click on the USB drive and select “format.” Choose the FAT32 file system and format the drive.
Step 3: Create Partitions on the USB Drive
Before creating partitions, make sure that you have backed up all the data on the USB drive as the process will wipe out everything. After backing up, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Type in “diskpart” in the command prompt and press enter. Type “list disk” to view the available drives. Locate the USB drive and select it by typing “select disk” followed by the disk number. Then type “clean” to remove any existing partitions on the USB drive and create a new primary partition by typing “create partition primary.” Remember to format the new partition.
Step 4: Mount the Windows 10 ISO file
After creating partitions on the USB drive, the next step is to mount the Windows 10 ISO file on the computer. Right-click on the ISO file and select “mount” from the options. You can access the mounted files by typing “explorer.exe” in the command prompt.
Step 5: Copy the Windows 10 Files to the USB Drive
Copy the files from the mounted Windows 10 ISO to the USB drive. You can do this by copying and pasting or by dragging and dropping. Make sure that you copy all the files, including the hidden ones, to the root directory of the USB drive.
Step 6: Make the USB Drive Bootable
To make the USB drive bootable, you need to navigate to the boot folder on the USB drive and run the bootsect.exe file. You can also do this via the command prompt. Open the command prompt, navigate to the boot folder on the USB drive, and type in “bootsect /nt60 {drive letter}:” For instance, if the drive letter is “E,” type “bootsect /nt60 E:”
Step 7: Eject the USB drive
After the bootable USB drive is created, eject it from the computer and connect it to the computer where you want to install or upgrade Windows 10.
Step 8: Reboot the computer
Reboot the computer and enter the BIOS setup utility. Change the boot order, so the USB drive is first on the list. Remember to save the changes.
Step 9: Boot the computer using the USB drive
Save the changes made in the BIOS setup utility and restart the computer. The computer will boot from the USB drive, and the Windows 10 installation wizard will appear.
Step 10: Install or Upgrade Windows 10
Follow the instructions in the installation wizard to install or upgrade Windows 10.
Step 11: Enter the Product Key
When prompted, enter the Windows 10 product key. You can find the product key on the package, the confirmation email, or the Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
Step 12: Activate Windows 10
After entering the product key, activate Windows 10 by following the instructions. Once the activation is complete, you can enjoy your fully functional Windows 10 operating system.
Explanation
Now that we have gone through the steps to create a bootable USB drive let us briefly explain them.
The first step involves downloading the Windows 10 ISO file, which is the operating system’s installation media. The second step is preparing the USB drive by formatting it with the FAT32 file system. The third step involves creating partitions on the USB drive to allocate space for Windows 10 files. The fourth step is mounting the Windows 10 ISO file to the computer to access the files that will be copied to the USB drive in step 5.
The fifth step involves copying the Windows 10 files, including the hidden ones, to the USB drive root directory. Step six makes the USB drive bootable by running the bootsect.exe file. Step seven is ejecting the bootable USB drive from the computer and connecting it to the computer where you want to install or upgrade Windows.
In step eight, we restart the computer and enter the BIOS setup utility to change the boot order, which makes the computer boot from the USB drive. Step nine is booting the computer using the USB drive, and in step ten, we install or upgrade Windows 10 by following the installation wizard’s instructions.
In step eleven, we enter the product key when prompted to activate Windows 10 in step twelve, and enjoy using the fully functional operating system.
Tips and Tricks
1. Check the system requirements
Before downloading the Windows 10 ISO file, ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 10.
2. Use a USB drive with sufficient storage space
Ensure that the USB drive has enough storage space to accommodate the Windows 10 files.
3. Use a USB drive with faster read-write speed
Using a USB drive with faster read-write speed makes the process faster and more efficient.
4. Use a reliable source to download the Windows 10 ISO file
Ensure that you download the ISO file from a genuine and reliable source to prevent downloading harmful files.
5. Backup important data before creating partitions
Creating partitions on the USB drive deletes all the data. Thus, it’s essential to back up all the important data before proceeding.
6. Use an updated BIOS
An updated BIOS is essential to detect the USB drive.
7. Use the correct command when running the bootsect.exe file
Ensure that you use the correct command when running the bootsect.exe file to avoid errors.
8. Disable Secure Boot and Fast Boot from the BIOS setup utility
Secure Boot and Fast Boot may interfere with the bootable USB drive. Thus, it’s essential to disable them from the BIOS setup utility.
9. Choose the correct edition and language
Ensure that you download the correct edition and language of the Windows 10 ISO file that matches your system requirements.
10. Activate Windows within the grace period
Activate Windows within the grace period to avoid limitations and enjoy the full features of the operating system.
Wrap up:
Creating a bootable Windows 10 USB is not as complicated as you may think. As you have seen in this article, the process involves twelve simple steps. By following these steps, you create a bootable USB drive that can help you install or upgrade the Windows 10 operating system. Remember to use our tips and tricks to make the process faster, more efficient, and error-free.
We hope this article has been informative and useful. Thank you for reading.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Creating a Bootable Windows 10 USB
Advantages:
1. Easy to use: A bootable USB drive is easy to use and can be used to install Windows 10 on any computer.
2. Portability: A USB drive is portable and can be easily carried around, making it convenient to install Windows 10 on different computers.
3. Saves time: Creating a bootable USB drive can save time compared to using a DVD. It is also faster to install Windows 10 from a USB drive.
4. Inexpensive: A USB drive is less expensive than a DVD and can be reused to create bootable drives for other applications.
5. Customizable: A bootable USB drive can be customized with different versions of Windows 10 and other tools such as antivirus software.
6. More reliable: A bootable USB drive is more reliable than a DVD. DVDs can get scratched or damaged, making them unusable.
7. Accessible: Most computers have USB ports, making it easy to install Windows 10 from a USB drive without having to buy an external DVD drive.
8. Updatable: A bootable USB drive can be updated with the latest version of Windows 10, making it more secure.
9. Environmentally friendly: Using a USB drive reduces the need for DVDs, which helps to reduce the amount of waste produced.
10. Multiple uses: A bootable USB drive can be used for different purposes, such as running diagnostic tools, backing up data, or installing other software.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited storage: Not all USB drives have enough storage to hold the Windows 10 installation files, so a larger capacity drive may be necessary.
2. Slow read/write speeds: Some USB drives have slower read/write speeds, which can make the installation process slower.
3. Compatibility issues: Some computers may not be able to boot Windows 10 from a USB drive due to compatibility issues with the computer hardware.
4. Risk of data loss: Creating a bootable USB drive requires formatting the drive, which can result in data loss if important files are not backed up first.
5. Security concerns: If the bootable USB drive falls into the wrong hands, it could be used to gain unauthorized access to the computer or sensitive data.
6. Need for technical knowledge: Creating a bootable USB drive may require technical knowledge, which may not be accessible to everyone.
7. Windows activation: When installing Windows 10 from a bootable USB drive, the user must have a valid Windows activation key to activate the operating system.
8. Updates and drivers: After installing Windows 10 from a bootable USB drive, the user may need to manually install updates and drivers.
9. Risk of damage: USB drives can be easily damaged if dropped or exposed to moisture, which can result in data loss.
10. Time-consuming: Creating a bootable USB drive can be time-consuming, especially if the user is not familiar with the process.
FAQ
1. What is a bootable USB?
A bootable USB is a storage device that contains all the necessary files to start an operating system installation. It is used to install a new operating system on a computer or to repair an existing one.
2. Why create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
Creating a bootable USB for Windows 10 enables you to install or repair your operating system more easily and quickly. It’s also helpful if you don’t have a CD/DVD drive on your computer.
3. What do I need to create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
To create a bootable USB for Windows 10, you’ll need a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage space, a Windows 10 ISO file, and a computer that can boot from a USB drive.
4. How do I download the Windows 10 ISO file?
You can download the Windows 10 ISO file from the Microsoft website or from an authorized reseller. Make sure you download the correct version of Windows 10 for your computer.
5. What software do I need to create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
You can use either the Windows Media Creation Tool or a third-party software like Rufus to create a bootable USB for Windows 10.
6. How do I use the Windows Media Creation Tool?
To use the Windows Media Creation Tool, simply download and run the tool on your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the “Create installation media for another PC” option. Then, choose your language, edition, and architecture of Windows 10 and select the USB drive as the media to use.
7. How do I use Rufus to create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
To use Rufus, download and run the software on your computer. Select the USB drive you want to use and the Windows 10 ISO file. Configure the settings as desired and click “Start” to begin creating the bootable USB.
8. Can I use any USB drive to create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
No, not all USB drives are suitable for creating a bootable USB for Windows 10. The USB drive must be at least 8GB in size and have a fast write speed of at least 20MB/s.
9. Can I use the same bootable USB for multiple installations?
Yes, you can use the same bootable USB for multiple installations of Windows 10. However, you may need to reformat the USB drive after each installation to remove any previous installation files.
10. How do I boot from the bootable USB?
To boot from the bootable USB, insert the USB drive into your computer and restart the computer. Press the appropriate key (usually F12 or Esc) to access the boot menu and select the USB drive as the boot device.
11. Can I install a different operating system using a bootable USB?
Yes, you can use a bootable USB to install a different operating system as long as it is compatible with your computer’s hardware.
12. How do I repair a Windows 10 installation using a bootable USB?
To repair a Windows 10 installation using a bootable USB, insert the USB drive into your computer and boot from the USB. Select the “Repair your computer” option and follow the on-screen instructions to troubleshoot and repair your installation.
13. What should I do if the bootable USB doesn’t work?
If the bootable USB doesn’t work, make sure that you have configured your computer’s BIOS settings to boot from the USB drive. Also, try using a different USB drive or creating the bootable USB again using different software.
How to Create Bootable Windows 10 USB
Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows 10 installation is an essential skill every computer user should know. In this article, we will guide you on how to create bootable Windows 10 USB through simple steps. But before we proceed, make sure to back up your data as this process may erase everything on your USB drive.
Conclusion
To sum it up, creating a bootable Windows 10 USB drive is essential for every computer user. It is an effective way to install Windows 10 or repair your computer without relying on a DVD drive. With the help of the Media Creation Tool, you can easily create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10. Remember to follow the steps carefully, and always make sure to back up your data before proceeding. Good luck!
Closing
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on how to create bootable Windows 10 USB. We hope that this guide has provided you with the information needed to create your bootable USB drive. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. Until next time, happy booting!