Hello readers, welcome to this article that will guide you on how to make a USB bootable Windows 10. Having a bootable USB drive can be very helpful whenever you want to format your computer or install a new operating system. This guide is for everyone, whether you are a computer expert or not, you can follow these simple steps and make your USB bootable in no time.
Step by step to make a USB bootable Windows 10
Step 1: Download Windows 10 ISO file
The first step is to download the Windows 10 ISO file from the official Microsoft website. Make sure to download the correct version depending on your computer’s architecture, either 32-bit or 64-bit.
Step 2: Insert USB Drive
Insert the USB drive that you want to make bootable into your computer’s USB port. Make sure that it has enough space to store the Windows 10 ISO file.
Step 3: Open Command Prompt
Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “cmd” in the Run dialog box. Click OK to open the Command Prompt.
Step 4: Diskpart
Type “diskpart” in the Command Prompt and press Enter to start the diskpart utility.
Step 5: List Disks
Type “list disk” in the Command Prompt and press Enter to view a list of all the disks connected to your computer.
Step 6: Select Disk
Type “select disk #” and replace “#” with the number corresponding to your USB drive. Press Enter to select the disk.
Step 7: Clean Disk
Type “clean” in the Command Prompt and press Enter to clean the disk.
Step 8: Create Partition
Type “create partition primary” in the Command Prompt and press Enter to create a primary partition on the USB drive.
Step 9: Format Drive
Type “format fs=fat32” in the Command Prompt and press Enter to format the USB drive in FAT32 format.
Step 10: Assign Drive Letter
Type “assign letter=?” in the Command Prompt and replace “?” with the drive letter that you want to assign to the USB drive. Press Enter to assign the drive letter.
Step 11: Mount ISO File
Type “dism /mount-wim /wimfile:D:\sources\install.wim /index:1 /mountdir:C:\ISO” in the Command Prompt and press Enter to mount the ISO file.
Step 12: Copy Files
Type “xcopy C:\ISO\*.* ?:\ /s /h” in the Command Prompt and replace “?” with the drive letter that you assigned to the USB drive earlier. Press Enter to start copying the Windows 10 files to the USB drive.
Explanation of Steps and Tips
The above steps are the basic steps to make your USB bootable. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure that your USB drive has enough space to store the Windows 10 ISO file. Secondly, make sure that you download the correct version of the Windows 10 ISO file. Thirdly, ensure that you have administrative privileges on the computer to carry out the diskpart operations.
Tips and Tricks
1. To check the drive letters of all the disks connected to your computer, use the “list volume” command in the Command Prompt.
2. To unmount the ISO file, use the “dism /unmount-wim /mountdir:C:\ISO /discard” command in the Command Prompt.
3. If you face any issues during the diskpart operations, try running the Command Prompt as an administrator.
In conclusion, making a USB bootable Windows 10 can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the Command Prompt. But, by following the above steps, you can make your USB bootable and reinstall Windows 10 with ease. We hope that this guide was helpful to you.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Making a USB Bootable Windows 10
Advantages
1. Convenient Way to Install: Creating a bootable USB drive is an easy, convenient, and effective way to install Windows 10. It saves time and effort compared to using an optical drive to install the operating system.
2. Faster Installation: Installing Windows 10 from a USB drive is much faster than installing from a DVD. It takes about 15-20 minutes to install Windows 10 from a USB drive, while it takes about 30-40 minutes from a DVD.
3. Reusable: Once you create a bootable USB drive, you can use it multiple times to install Windows 10 on different computers or devices.
4. Compatibility: USB drives are compatible with almost all modern computers and devices, making it easier for users to install Windows 10 on any device.
5. No Disc Required: Most modern laptops and netbooks do not have CD/DVD drives. Creating a bootable USB drive eliminates the need for installing through a CD/DVD drive.
Disadvantages
1. Prone to Damage: USB drives are prone to physical damage, such as being dropped or bent or being exposed to moisture, which could result in data loss or corruption.
2. Limited Storage Capacity: USB drives have limited storage capacity, which makes it difficult to store larger files or applications on the drive. This can be a disadvantage if you need to transfer large files between computers or devices.
3. Compatibility Issues: Some older computers and devices may not support booting from a USB drive. This can limit the use of a bootable USB drive to specific devices.
4. Technically Challenging: Creating a bootable USB drive requires some technical knowledge and may be challenging for inexperienced users.
5. Risk of Viruses: Creating a bootable USB drive can expose your computer or device to malicious viruses or malware, especially if the USB drive was not created from a trusted source.
FAQ
1. What is a bootable USB?
A bootable USB is a USB drive that has been formatted and prepared in a way that allows it to be used as a startup disk for a computer’s operating system.
2. Why do I need a bootable USB for Windows 10?
A bootable USB for Windows 10 is needed if you want to install or repair the operating system on a computer without an optical drive (CD/DVD).
3. What are the system requirements for creating a bootable USB for Windows 10?
You need a working computer with an internet connection, a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage capacity, and a valid Windows 10 license key.
4. How can I create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
You can create a bootable USB for Windows 10 by using the built-in tool called “Media Creation Tool” provided by Microsoft.
5. Where can I download the Media Creation Tool?
You can download the Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website or by clicking on the download link provided in our article.
6. How do I use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
You simply need to select the “Create installation media for another PC” option, choose the language, edition, and architecture of Windows 10 you want to download, select “USB flash drive” as the media type, and follow the instructions provided.
7. Can I use any USB drive to create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
No, not all USB drives can be used. You need to make sure that your USB drive is formatted with the NTFS file system and has at least 8GB of free space.
8. Will creating a bootable USB erase all data on it?
Yes, creating a bootable USB will erase all data on it. So, make sure to back up any important data before creating a bootable USB.
9. Can I use the same bootable USB to install Windows 10 on multiple computers?
Yes, you can use the same bootable USB to install Windows 10 on multiple computers as long as you have a valid license key for each computer.
10. How long does it take to create a bootable USB for Windows 10?
The time it takes to create a bootable USB for Windows 10 depends on the speed of your internet connection and the performance of your computer. On average, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour or more.
11. Can I modify the bootable USB after it has been created?
Yes, you can modify the bootable USB after it has been created by adding or removing files as long as you don’t interfere with the system files and folders required for booting the operating system.
12. How can I test if my bootable USB for Windows 10 is working?
You can test if your bootable USB is working by inserting it into a computer, restarting the computer and changing the boot order in the BIOS or boot menu to USB, and then following the instructions provided on the screen.
13. What should I do if my bootable USB for Windows 10 is not working?
If your bootable USB for Windows 10 is not working, you can try creating a new one using a different USB drive or downloading the Windows 10 ISO file again. You can also try checking the BIOS or boot menu settings to make sure that the USB drive is recognized as a bootable device.
How to Make a USB Bootable Windows 10
If you are planning to install Windows 10 on your computer or laptop, then you should know that having a USB bootable drive can come handy when you want to use it for clean installations or need to troubleshoot system issues. A USB bootable drive can help you boot your system with Windows 10 in case there is an issue with the primary drive. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a USB bootable Windows 10.
Conclusion and Closing
Making a USB bootable Windows 10 is an easy process, which involves downloading and installing the Windows 10 installation media creation tool, selecting the USB drive you wish to use, selecting the Windows 10 edition or version you want to install, and copying the installation files to the USB drive. By following these simple steps, you can create a USB bootable Windows 10, which is useful when you want to repair, troubleshoot, or install Windows 10 on a computer or laptop. So, do you find this article helpful? Thank you for reading, and see you in the next one!