Windows 10 Installed via USB Flash Drive: A Step-by-Step Guide
Windows 10 is one of the most popular operating systems today, offering a user-friendly interface and advanced features. However, installing it from scratch can be quite an involved process, especially for those without access to a CD drive or a download via Microsoft's official website. This blog post will walk you through the process of creating a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 10 installation files, allowing you to install this OS on any system that supports it.
Gathering Necessary Tools
Firstly, make sure you have the following tools before proceeding:
- A USB flash drive with at least 8GB capacity
- Access to a working Windows computer
- A valid product key or digital license for Windows 10 installation
- Rufus, a free and reliable tool for creating bootable USB drives (available from Rufus' official website)
Creating the Bootable USB Flash Drive
Follow these steps to create a bootable Windows 10 installation media using your USB flash drive:
- Download Rufus: Visit Rufus' official website (https://rufus.ie/) and download the latest version of the software.
- Prepare the USB flash drive: Ensure that the USB flash drive is empty and plug it into your computer.
- Run Rufus: Launch the downloaded Rufus application and select the USB flash drive from the device list under 'Device' or 'Target'.
- Choose the ISO image file: Click on the 'ISO image' button and browse to locate your downloaded Windows 10 installation media in .iso format (e.g., Windows10_x64.iso).
- Format the USB drive: Make sure that the correct drive is selected under 'Device', then check the box next to 'Format the following drive'. Click 'Start' and confirm any prompts that appear to begin the formatting process.
- Set up partitions: In the 'Partition scheme and target system type' section, choose either MBR (master boot record) for BIOS-based systems or GPT (GUID Partition Table) for UEFI-based systems.
- Create a Windows To Go drive: If you want to create a Windows To Go drive instead of an installation media, check the box next to 'Create a Windows To Go drive'.
- Begin the process: Once all settings are configured, click 'Start' to begin creating the bootable USB flash drive. This process may take some time to complete.
Installing Windows 10 using the Bootable USB Flash Drive
With your bootable Windows 10 installation media created, follow these steps to install Windows 10 on the target system:
- Boot from the USB flash drive: Restart the target system and press the appropriate key for the boot menu (F2, F10, F12, or Esc depending on the system). In the boot menu, select your USB flash drive as the boot device and press Enter.
- Begin the installation process: Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a clean installation of Windows 10, using your product key or digital license when prompted.
- Complete the setup: Once the installation is complete, you will be asked to configure some settings such as time and keyboard layout. After this, you can begin setting up your new system with applications, personal files, and other settings.
In conclusion, creating a bootable Windows 10 USB flash drive using Rufus is a straightforward process. With just a few steps, you can install Windows 10 on any system that supports it without the need for a CD drive or an internet connection. Happy installing!