How To Put Windows 10 On USB (Simply & Easily)

By Marlo Strydom

Need to install Windows 10 on a computer without a DVD drive? Creating a bootable USB drive is your fastest and most reliable solution. You can put Windows 10 on a USB flash drive using Microsoft's free Media Creation Tool, which downloads the latest Windows 10 files and makes your USB drive bootable in about 30 minutes.

This method works whether you're doing a fresh install, upgrading from an older version, or fixing a corrupted Windows installation. Plus, USB drives install Windows significantly faster than DVDs and work on modern laptops that don't have optical drives.

Quick Answer: Download Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, plug in an 8GB+ USB drive, run the tool, select "Create installation media," choose your USB drive, and let it download and create your bootable Windows 10 USB automatically.

What You'll Need

  • USB flash drive with at least 8GB storage (16GB recommended)
  • Windows computer with internet connection
  • Microsoft's Media Creation Tool (free download)
  • About 30-45 minutes of time

Important: This process will completely erase everything on your USB drive. Back up any important files before starting.

Step 1: Prepare Your USB Drive

  1. Insert your USB drive into any available USB port on your computer.

  2. Back up your files if there's anything important on the USB drive. The creation process will wipe everything clean.

  3. Check the drive size by opening File Explorer. Make sure it shows at least 8GB of total space.

Step 2: Create Your Bootable USB with Media Creation Tool

  1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website at microsoft.com/software-download/windows10. Click "Download tool now."

  2. Run the downloaded file as an administrator. Right-click the file and select "Run as administrator" if prompted.

  3. Accept Microsoft's license terms when the tool opens.

  4. Select "Create installation media" and click Next. Don't choose the upgrade option unless you want to upgrade your current PC.

  5. Choose your Windows 10 settings. The tool will automatically select the right language, edition, and architecture for your current PC. Uncheck "Use the recommended options" if you need different settings.

  6. Select "USB flash drive" as your media type and click Next.

  7. Choose your USB drive from the list. The tool shows all connected removable drives, so pick the right one.

  8. Wait for the download and creation. The tool downloads about 4GB of Windows 10 files and copies them to your USB drive. This usually takes 20-45 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Step 3: Boot from Your Windows 10 USB

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

  2. Restart the computer and enter boot menu. During startup, press F12, F2, DEL, or ESC (varies by manufacturer) to access the boot menu or BIOS.

  3. Select your USB drive as the boot device. Look for your USB drive's name or "USB" in the boot options.

  4. Start Windows 10 setup. The computer will boot from your USB drive and launch the Windows 10 installer.

Installing Windows 10 from USB

Once you boot from the USB drive, Windows Setup guides you through the installation:

  • Select your language and keyboard layout
  • Click "Install now" to begin
  • Enter your product key or skip if upgrading
  • Choose "Custom install" for a clean installation
  • Select the drive where you want Windows installed
  • Wait for installation to complete (usually 15-30 minutes)

Pro Tip: If you're doing a clean install, delete all partitions on your target drive and let Windows create new ones automatically. This prevents boot issues and gives you the cleanest installation possible.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your computer won't boot from the USB drive:

  • Make sure the USB drive is properly inserted
  • Try different USB ports, preferably USB 2.0 ports
  • Check if Secure Boot is disabled in BIOS settings
  • Ensure Legacy Boot or CSM is enabled for older computers
  • Try recreating the USB drive if it's not working

Creating a Windows 10 USB drive is straightforward with Microsoft's official tool. The whole process takes under an hour, and you'll have a reliable way to install Windows 10 on any compatible computer. Keep your bootable USB drive in a safe place - it's handy for future installations or repairs.