Installing Windows 10 from a bootable USB drive is a common and straightforward process. This guide will walk you through creating the bootable USB and then performing the installation.

Part 1: Create a Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive

Before you can install Windows 10, you need a bootable USB drive containing the installation files.

  1. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool:

  2. Prepare your USB Drive:

    • You'll need a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage.
    • Backup any important data from the USB drive, as the process will erase all its contents.

  3. Run the Media Creation Tool:

    • Double-click the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file.
    • Accept the license terms.
    • On the "What do you want to do?" screen, select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" and click Next.
    • Select Language, Architecture, and Edition: By default, it will suggest options based on your current PC. If you want to change these (e.g., install a 64-bit version on a 32-bit PC), uncheck "Use recommended options for this PC" and make your selections. Click Next.
    • Choose Media Type: Select "USB flash drive" and click Next.
    • Select the USB Drive: From the list of available drives, choose your USB flash drive. Be very careful to select the correct drive to avoid formatting the wrong one. Click Next.
    • The tool will now download the Windows 10 files and create the bootable USB drive. This process can take some time depending on your internet speed.

Part 2: Install Windows 10 from the Bootable USB

Once you have your bootable USB, you're ready to install Windows 10 on your target computer.

  1. Connect the Bootable USB:

    • Insert the Windows 10 bootable USB drive into the computer where you want to install Windows.

  2. Boot from USB:

    • Restart your computer.
    • As soon as the computer starts, you'll need to press a specific key repeatedly to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup or the Boot Menu. Common keys include:
      • F2, F10, F12, Delete, Esc
    • If you enter the Boot Menu, select your USB drive from the list.
    • If you enter the BIOS/UEFI setup, navigate to the "Boot Order" or "Boot Priority" section. You'll need to move your USB drive to the top of the boot order so the computer tries to boot from it first. Save your changes and exit.
    • Your computer should now boot from the USB drive, and you'll see the Windows setup screen.

  3. Windows Setup - Initial Configuration:

    • Language, Time, and Keyboard: On the first screen, select your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard input method. Click Next.
    • Click "Install now".

  4. Activate Windows:

    • If you have a product key, enter it now. If you're reinstalling Windows 10 on a PC that already had a digital license, or if you plan to activate later, click "I don't have a product key". Windows will activate automatically once connected to the internet.

  5. Choose Operating System (if applicable):

    • If your installation media contains multiple versions (e.g., Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro), select the version you want to install and click Next.

  6. Accept License Terms:

    • Read the license terms, check "I accept the license terms", and click Next.

  7. Choose Installation Type:

    • Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)". This option allows you to manage partitions.
    • Do NOT choose "Upgrade" unless you're specifically upgrading an existing Windows version and want to keep files and settings (which is generally done from within Windows itself, not from a bootable USB for a clean install).

  8. Partition Hard Drive:

    • This is a crucial step. You'll see a list of drives and partitions.
    • For a clean install on a new or empty drive: Select the drive you want to install Windows on (e.g., "Drive 0 Unallocated Space") and click "New" to create a partition, then "Apply" and "OK". Windows will create necessary system partitions.
    • For a clean install on a drive with existing data/partitions: You can Delete existing partitions related to the old operating system (like "Primary" or "System Reserved") to free up space. Once deleted, select the "Unallocated Space" and click "New" then "Apply" and "OK".
    • Be extremely careful here. Deleting partitions will erase all data on them. Ensure you're selecting the correct drive.
    • Select the newly created Primary partition (or the largest partition you just created) and click Next.

  9. Windows Installation:

    • Windows will now begin copying files and installing. Your computer will restart several times during this process. Do NOT remove the USB drive until the initial setup (where you choose region, account, etc.) begins.

  10. Initial Setup and Personalization:

    • After the final restart, you'll be guided through the initial setup screens:
      • Region and Keyboard Layout.
      • Connect to a network (optional, you can skip for now).
      • Sign in with a Microsoft account or choose an "Offline account" (local account) if you prefer.
      • Create a PIN.
      • Privacy settings: Review and adjust privacy settings as desired.
      • Customize your experience (optional).
    • Follow the on-screen prompts until you reach the Windows 10 desktop.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Windows 10 on your computer. After installation, remember to install necessary drivers for your hardware and any software you need.