How to Install Windows 10 from USB Drive
Installing Windows 10 from a USB drive is a convenient and efficient way to set up a new system or perform a clean installation. Whether you’re upgrading from an older version of Windows or building a new computer, following these steps will guide you through the process. In this article, we’ll walk you through the necessary steps to install Windows 10 from a USB drive, ensuring a smooth and successful installation.
Step 1: Create a Windows 10 ISO Image
Before you can install Windows 10 from a USB drive, you need to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 10 ISO image. To do this, you’ll need a Windows PC, a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage space, and a program to create the bootable USB drive. We recommend using the free software Rufus for this purpose.
1. Download Rufus from the official website (rufus.ie).
2. Connect your USB flash drive to your PC.
3. Open Rufus and select your USB drive from the “Device” dropdown menu.
4. In the “Boot selection” section, click on “Select” and navigate to the Windows 10 ISO file you downloaded.
5. In the “Partition scheme and target system” section, select the appropriate settings for your PC’s hardware (MBR for BIOS or GPT for UEFI).
6. In the “File system” section, choose “FAT32” for compatibility.
7. In the “Cluster size” section, select “4K” for optimal performance.
8. Click on “Start” to begin the process. Rufus will format the USB drive and copy the Windows 10 ISO image to it.
Step 2: Configure BIOS/UEFI Settings
Once your USB drive is ready, you need to configure your PC’s BIOS or UEFI settings to boot from the USB drive. The steps to do this vary depending on your PC’s manufacturer and model. Here’s a general guide:
1. Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup by pressing the designated key (e.g., F2, F10, or DEL) during the boot process.
2. Navigate to the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section.
3. Move the USB drive to the top of the boot order list.
4. Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup.
5. Restart your PC, and it should boot from the USB drive.
Step 3: Install Windows 10
With your PC booting from the USB drive, you can now proceed with the installation of Windows 10:
1. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the installation process.
2. Choose your preferred language, time, and keyboard settings.
3. Select “I don’t have a product key” if you don’t have one.
4. Choose the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option.
5. In the “Drive options (advanced)” section, select the partition where you want to install Windows 10.
6. Click “Next” to begin the installation process.
7. Windows 10 will be installed on the selected partition. This process may take some time, so be patient.
8. Once the installation is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your user account and preferences.
Step 4: Install Necessary Drivers
After installing Windows 10, you may need to install the necessary drivers for your hardware components to ensure they work correctly. You can usually find the drivers on the manufacturer’s website or by using the Windows 10 Device Manager.
1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the categories for your hardware components (e.g., Display adapters, Network adapters).
3. Right-click on the hardware component and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.
By following these steps, you should be able to install Windows 10 from a USB drive without any issues. Enjoy your new Windows 10 system!
