How to Install Windows 10 from a USB Drive [Step-by-Step Guide]

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on Apr 22, 2024

There are several methods to install Windows 10 on your new computer or hard drive. If you don't have a CD or DVD drive, using a bootable USB drive to install the operating system is a great option. This guide will outline two methods for creating a USB drive from a Windows installation ISO file and then installing Windows 10 from that USB. Keep reading for detailed, step-by-step instructions.

View the Necessary Information to Install Windows 10 from USB:

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What Do You Need to Install Windows 10 from USB

Before we begin the formal process of installing Windows 10 from USB, let's review the necessary preparations for installing the operating system:

1. Download the Windows installation media from Microsoft: Windows 10 download
2. Get a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space, and make sure there's no important data on it.
3. A spare computer to format the USB drive.
4. A new PC for installing Windows 10.
5. A tool to burn the Windows ISO to the USB drive, such as Partition Master.

Alright, let's begin installing Windows 10 from a USB drive by following these steps. If you're unsure about where to install Windows, please read the article below.

For alternative methods to install Windows without a product key, please refer to the following article:

How to Install Windows 10 Without Product Key

You can install Windows 10 without a product key by downloading the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. This page provides a comprehensive guide on how to do it.

Run the tool Partition Master Translation: Execute the utility Partition Master

Before beginning, download the professional Windows bootable tool: tools Partition Master, which offers a comprehensive solution for installing Windows 10, encompassing drive formatting, ISO burning, and bootable USB creation. It is an ultimate, secure, and reliable partition manager. Utilizing this tool can save you considerable time and effort.

Then follow these steps:

Step 1. Set the Active Partition After Formatting the Drive

USB must be formatted to FAT32 to burn an ISO. You can format the USB using Disk Management, CMD, or utilize a USB formatting tool:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the partition you plan to format and choose “Format”.

Step 2. In the new window, enter the Partition label, select the FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4 file system, and set the cluster size as needed, then click "OK".

Step 3. You'll see a warning window. Click "Yes" to proceed.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the top-left corner to review the changes, and then click "Apply" to begin formatting the partition to FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4.

You can also refer to the following steps to try the manual method:

• Click the Windows icon to select "Disk Management."
• Right-click on the target drive and choose FAT32 format.
• Right-click on the drive partition and activate it.

If the partition is marked as active but not available, please use diskpart to fix it.

Further Reading:

How to Install Windows on Steam Deck in 2024? Comprehensive Guide

This article provides a detailed guide on installing the Windows operating system on Steam Deck, including a step-by-step tutorial and potential troubleshooting solutions.

Step 2. Burn Windows ISO File to USB

To install Windows on a new computer, we need to burn the Windows ISO file onto the appropriate USB drive. Burning an ISO is not the same as a simple copy and paste operation; we require a free ISO burning tool like Partition Master. This tool is user-friendly. Follow these steps to burn the ISO to USB:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and go to the Bootable Media section. Click "Burn ISO" and then click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the ISO image that you downloaded on your computer and click "Open".

Step 3. Click "Next" and choose the target USB as the destination, then click "Burn" to perform the process.

After the burning process is complete, you can use the USB as an installation disk to install Windows 10 on a new PC without an operating system. Burning an ISO is a straightforward task, and the Partition Master tool will assist you in managing your computer and drives more effectively. Click the button below, and if you find the tool useful, feel free to share it with your friends.

Step 3: Install Windows on Your New Computer

Next, you can use the burned USB to install Windows 10 on another computer. Before beginning, make sure the computer meets the hardware requirements for Windows 10. The minimum system specifications are as follows:

• Processor: 1GHz or faster
• RAM: 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit
• Storage: 16GB for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit
• Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 drivers
• Display: 800 x 600 resolution

Next, follow these steps to install Windows 10 from USB:

Insert the USB drive containing the installation files into the PC and set the boot order: Press and hold Esc, F10, or F12 to boot the PC from the USB drive. The Windows installer will start. Follow the installation wizard to install Windows 10. When prompted for the product key during installation, enter your Windows 10 license key. Check for Windows updates after installation: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Remove the USB drive.

Having completed these instructions, you are now ready to install Windows 10 on your computer.

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Use the Windows Media Creation Tool

If you wish to use the Windows Media Creation Tool for installing Windows 10, please follow the initial preparation steps outlined first. Then, proceed to download the Windows 10 tool and continue with the guidance provided in this section:

注意:以下步骤是使用由微软发布的媒体创建工具创建可启动USB驱动器的方法。您可以完全信赖该方法。

Step 1. Run the Windows installation media as an administrator and choose "Create installation media for another PC."

Step 2. Choose the Windows version and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit).

Step 3. Choose Media Tools. This will download the Windows installation files onto your USB drive.

Read Also: Install Windows 10 on Second Hard Drive

创建可引导的USB后，将Windows 10文件刻录到USB上：

Step 4. Locate the ISO file that you saved.

Step 5. Select ISO file > Properties > General > Change > Windows Explorer.

Step 6. Right-click on the ISO file and select the option to burn it.

接下来，使用媒体创建工具安装Windows 10：

Step 7. Connect the USB to the new computer.

Step 8. Access the Computer Boot Device menu and select USB Boot.

Step 9. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing Windows 10.

Step 10. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to check for updates.

应用USB故障排除

The Windows USB drive is formatted as FAT32, which has a file size limitation of 4 GB. While installing Windows 10 from a USB drive, you might encounter the following two scenarios:

1. Inability to burn Windows ISO files

There can be various reasons why you can't burn ISO files to USB on Windows. If the issue is related to USB limitations, please follow these steps to resolve it:

Copy everything except the Windows image file (sources\install.wim) to the USB drive (use drag-and-drop or this command, where D: is the mounted ISO and E: is the USB flash drive):

The command translates to: robocopy D: E: /s /max:3800000000 This command copies all files and subdirectories from drive D: to drive E:, excluding junction points, and limits the maximum file size to 3,800,000,000 bytes.

Split the Windows image file into smaller files and place the smaller files onto the USB drive:

Dism /Split-Image /ImageFile: D:\sources\install.wim /SWMFile: E:\sources\install.swm /FileSize:3800 This command translates to: DISM /Split-Image /ImageFile: D:\sources\install.wim /SWMFile: E:\sources\install.swm /FileSize:3800

< strong >2. Unable to download the Windows 10 ISO file

You might encounter an error akin to Windows 11 KB5026446, which prevents you from downloading Windows ISO files. Issues with VPN configurations, insufficient disk space, USB file system problems, and other factors could hinder the ISO file download. You can address these potential causes individually.

Installing Windows 10 from a USB drive can be a complicated process. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out to the technical support team through live chat or email: support@tools.com

How to Boot Windows 10 from USB Flash Drive

If you wish to install Windows or run the same OS on various devices, follow this guide to create a bootable USB and boot Windows 10 from a USB flash drive.

Conclusion

This article presents two methods for installing Windows 10 from a USB drive: utilizing a bootable USB to install Windows 10 and employing the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. With tools Partition Master, you can conveniently create a bootable USB and burn the Windows ISO files onto it, enabling a smooth installation process.

Furthermore, if you want to install Windows without using USB, you can also utilize Partition Master工具 to migrate the operating system to HDD/SSD. If your computer encounters boot issues, Partition Master provides various additional fixes, such as repairing the MBR. Download it now and give it a try!

"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Installing Windows 10 from a USB Drive"

If you have any other questions regarding installing Windows 10 from USB, please refer to the following answers to address them individually.

< strong >1. How do I install Windows 11 on a new PC?

On a new PC, you can install Windows 11 using one of three methods:

Translate the following text into English: - Migrate the OS to SSD/HDD to install Windows 11 on a new PC. - Install Windows 11 by burning the Windows ISO to a USB. - Install using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool.

Use the latter two methods if you intend to install Windows 11 on a USB device. The straightforward steps to utilize the Windows Media Creation Tool are as follows:

• Step 1. Format the USB drive and set its primary partition as the active partition.
• Step 2. Write the Windows ISO file to the USB drive.
• Step 3. Installing Windows 11 on the new machine simply involves following the on-screen instructions.

< strong > 2. Why does a blue screen occur while installing Windows from USB?

When installing Windows from a USB drive, you might encounter issues like a black screen or a blue screen. This could be due to a hardware issue or a missing driver. To resolve this, you can try integrating the necessary components into the USB drive. Alternatively, you can initiate an automatic repair through BIOS.

**3. What is the best Windows 10 bootable USB tool?**

A Windows 10 bootable USB tool should be capable of burning the Windows ISO image to a USB drive. If you're seeking a tool specifically for creating a bootable USB for Windows 10, consider using Partition Master. It provides the functionality to create a bootable USB and burn ISO images. It saves more time compared to the Windows Media Creation Tool and enables you to create a portable Windows 10 on a USB drive more efficiently.