If you’re looking to install or repair Windows 10 on your computer, you may need to boot from a USB drive. This can be a bit confusing for those who are not familiar with the process, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explain how to boot from a USB drive on Windows 10, step by step.
Why Boot from a USB Drive?
Before we dive into the process, let’s first understand why you may need to boot from a USB drive. There are a few reasons why you may want to do this:
- You want to install Windows 10 on a new computer or a computer without an operating system.
- You need to repair or reinstall Windows 10 on your current computer.
- You want to run a live version of Windows 10 from a USB drive.
In all of these cases, booting from a USB drive is necessary because it allows you to access the Windows 10 installation or repair files without having to use a CD or DVD.
What You’ll Need
To boot from a USB drive on Windows 10, you’ll need a few things:
- A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space.
- A Windows 10 installation or repair ISO file.
- A computer with a USB port.
If you don’t have a Windows 10 ISO file, you can download one from the official Microsoft website or create one using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive
The first step is to prepare the USB drive. This involves formatting the drive and making it bootable. Here’s how to do it:
- Insert the USB drive into your computer’s USB port.
- Open File Explorer and right-click on the USB drive.
- Select “Format” from the drop-down menu.
- In the Format window, make sure the “File system” is set to “FAT32” and the “Allocation unit size” is set to “Default allocation size”.
- Check the box next to “Quick Format” and click “Start”.
- Once the formatting is complete, download and install a bootable USB drive creation tool, such as Rufus or UNetbootin.
- Open the tool and select the USB drive you just formatted.
- Choose the Windows 10 ISO file you downloaded or created.
- Click “Start” to create the bootable USB drive.
Step 2: Change the Boot Order
Now that your USB drive is ready, you’ll need to change the boot order on your computer so that it boots from the USB drive instead of the hard drive. Here’s how to do it:
- Restart your computer.
- As the computer is booting up, press the key that takes you to the BIOS or UEFI settings. This is usually the “F2” or “Delete” key, but it may vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer.
- In the BIOS or UEFI settings, look for the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section.
- Use the arrow keys to move the USB drive to the top of the boot order.
- Save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings.
Step 3: Boot from the USB Drive
Now that the boot order has been changed, your computer will boot from the USB drive instead of the hard drive. This will bring you to the Windows 10 installation or repair screen. Here’s what to do next:
- Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method.
- Click “Next”.
- On the next screen, click “Install now” if you’re installing Windows 10 or “Repair your computer” if you’re repairing or reinstalling.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation or repair process.
Troubleshooting
If your computer doesn’t boot from the USB drive, there may be a few reasons why:
- The boot order was not changed correctly. Make sure the USB drive is at the top of the boot order in the BIOS or UEFI settings.
- The USB drive is not bootable. Make sure you used a bootable USB drive creation tool and selected the correct ISO file.
- The USB drive is not formatted correctly. Make sure the USB drive is formatted to FAT32 and not NTFS.
- The USB drive is not recognized by the computer. Try using a different USB port or a different USB drive.
Conclusion
Booting from a USB drive on Windows 10 may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple once you know the steps. By following the instructions in this article, you’ll be able to boot from a USB drive and install or repair Windows 10 on your computer.
