Have you found yourself in a predicament where you required a clean installation of Windows 10 on your computer, but lacked a DVD drive? Fear not, for I have also experienced this and am here to assist you. In this article, I will provide step-by-step instructions on creating a USB bootable with Windows 10, granting you the ability to install it on any computer without reliance on a DVD drive.
Gathering the Required Materials
Before we dive into the process of creating a bootable USB, let’s make sure we have all the necessary materials:
- A USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 8GB (though 16GB or higher is recommended).
- A computer running Windows (preferably Windows 10) to perform the creation process.
- A stable internet connection to download the Windows 10 ISO file.
Downloading the Windows 10 ISO File
To get started, we need to download the Windows 10 ISO file. The ISO file is an exact copy of the installation media, which we will use to create the bootable USB.
You can download the Windows 10 ISO file directly from the Microsoft website. Choose the edition of Windows 10 you want to install (Home, Pro, etc.) and click on the “Download” button.
Once the download is complete, make sure to note down the location where the ISO file is saved on your computer. We will need this information later.
Creating a Bootable USB with Windows 10
Now that we have the Windows 10 ISO file and a USB flash drive, it’s time to create the bootable USB. Follow the steps below:
- Insert the USB flash drive into an available USB port on your computer.
- Open the Windows 10 ISO file you downloaded earlier. You can do this by right-clicking on the file and selecting “Mount” from the context menu. This will create a virtual DVD drive with the contents of the ISO file.
- In the File Explorer, locate the mounted DVD drive and open it.
- Copy all the contents of the ISO file to the USB flash drive. You can do this by selecting all the files and folders, then right-clicking and choosing “Copy” from the context menu. Next, go to the USB flash drive, right-click, and choose “Paste”.
- Wait for the copying process to complete. This may take a few minutes, depending on the speed of your computer and USB flash drive.
- Once the copying process is finished, safely eject the USB flash drive from your computer. You can do this by right-clicking on the USB drive in the File Explorer and selecting “Eject” from the context menu.
Booting from the USB Drive
Now that you have a bootable USB with Windows 10, you can use it to install or repair Windows on any computer. Follow these steps to boot from the USB drive:
- Insert the bootable USB into the computer where you want to install Windows 10.
- Restart the computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is usually done by pressing a specific key (like F2 or Del) during the boot process. Consult your computer’s manual or look for on-screen instructions to find the correct key.
- In the BIOS/UEFI settings, navigate to the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section, and change the boot priority to prioritize the USB drive. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.
- The computer will now boot from the USB drive and start the Windows 10 installation or repair process.
A Personal Touch
Making a USB bootable with Windows 10 is a lifesaver for me. I remember the time when I needed to reinstall Windows on my laptop but didn’t have a DVD drive. The process of creating a bootable USB seemed daunting at first, but it turned out to be surprisingly straightforward.
Having a USB bootable with Windows 10 gives me the flexibility to install or repair Windows on any computer without the need for a DVD drive. It’s a handy tool to have in your tech arsenal, especially if you frequently work with different computers or need to troubleshoot Windows-related issues.
In Conclusion
Creating a USB bootable with Windows 10 is an essential skill for every tech-savvy individual. With a few simple steps, you can have a portable Windows installation medium that can be used on any computer. Remember to always download the Windows 10 ISO file from a trusted source and verify its integrity before creating the bootable USB.
Now that you know how to make a USB bootable with Windows 10, you can confidently tackle any installation or repair tasks that come your way. Happy booting!