If you’re looking to install Windows 10 on your computer, you may be wondering how to do it without a physical installation disc. Luckily, with the advancements in technology, you can now install Windows 10 from a USB drive. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of creating a Windows 10 installation USB and using it to install the operating system on your computer.
Why Install Windows 10 from USB?
There are several reasons why you may want to install Windows 10 from a USB drive instead of using a physical installation disc. Some of these reasons include:
- Convenience: A USB drive is smaller and easier to carry around than a physical disc, making it more convenient for installation on multiple devices.
- Faster installation: Installing Windows 10 from a USB drive is typically faster than using a disc, as USB drives have faster read and write speeds.
- No need for a disc drive: Many modern laptops and desktops no longer come with a disc drive, making a USB drive the only option for installation.
What You’ll Need
Before we dive into the steps of creating a Windows 10 installation USB, here’s what you’ll need:
- A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space
- A computer with an internet connection
- A valid Windows 10 product key
- A Windows 10 ISO file (more on this later)
Creating a Windows 10 Installation USB
To create a Windows 10 installation USB, follow these steps:
- Insert your USB drive into your computer.
- Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
- Run the Media Creation Tool and select “Create installation media for another PC.”
- Choose your preferred language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Select “USB flash drive” as the media to use.
- Choose your USB drive from the list of available drives and click “Next.”
- The Media Creation Tool will now download the necessary files and create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 10 installation media.
Installing Windows 10 from USB
Once you have your Windows 10 installation USB ready, you can use it to install the operating system on your computer. Here’s how:
- Insert the USB drive into the computer you want to install Windows 10 on.
- Turn on the computer and press the key to access the boot menu (usually F12 or Esc).
- Select the USB drive from the list of boot options.
- The Windows 10 installation process will now begin.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- When prompted, enter your Windows 10 product key.
- Choose your preferred settings and click “Next.”
- Once the installation is complete, your computer will restart and boot into Windows 10.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are some common troubleshooting steps you can try:
USB Drive Not Recognized
If your computer does not recognize the USB drive as a bootable device, you may need to change the boot order in your computer’s BIOS settings. To do this, restart your computer and press the key to access the BIOS settings (usually F2 or Del). Look for the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section and make sure the USB drive is listed as the first boot option.
Windows 10 Not Installing
If the Windows 10 installation process does not start or gets stuck at a certain point, try restarting your computer and trying again. If the issue persists, you may need to create a new Windows 10 installation USB using a different USB drive.
Windows 10 Product Key Not Working
If your Windows 10 product key is not working during the installation process, make sure you are entering the correct key. If you are sure the key is correct, you may need to contact Microsoft for assistance.
Other Ways to Install Windows 10
If you do not have access to a USB drive or prefer to use a physical installation disc, there are other ways to install Windows 10. These include:
- Using a Windows 10 installation disc: You can purchase a physical installation disc from Microsoft or a third-party retailer.
- Using a Windows 10 installation disc image: If you have a disc image file (ISO) of the Windows 10 installation disc, you can use a disc burning software to create a physical disc.
- Upgrading from an older version of Windows: If you have a valid product key for a previous version of Windows, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free.
Conclusion
Installing Windows 10 from a USB drive is a convenient and fast way to get the latest version of the operating system on your computer. With the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a Windows 10 installation USB and use it to install the operating system on your computer. If you encounter any issues, try troubleshooting using the tips provided, or consider alternative methods of installation.
