There are a lot of articles out there on how to install Windows 10, but not all of them are suited for beginners. In this article, we will walk you through the process step-by-step, making it easy for you to install Windows 10 even if you have never done it before. Whether you are installing Windows 10 on a PC or a Macbook, we have got you covered!
Installing Windows 10 on a PC
Before you begin, you will need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage, and a valid Windows 10 product key. You can purchase a product key from the Microsoft Store or use an existing one if you have one on hand. Once you have those things, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create a Bootable USB Drive
The first step is to create a bootable USB drive using the Windows 10 ISO file. Here is how to do it:
- Download the Windows 10 ISO file from the Microsoft website.
- Insert the USB drive into your PC.
- Open the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool and select the ISO file you downloaded in step 1.
- Select USB device as the media type and choose the USB drive you inserted in step 2.
- Click “Begin copying” to start creating your bootable USB drive.
Step 2: Boot From the USB Drive
Now that you have a bootable USB drive, it is time to boot from it. Follow these steps:
- Insert the bootable USB drive into your PC.
- Restart your PC.
- While your PC is restarting, press the key it prompts you to in order to enter the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings (usually F12, Del, or Esc).
- Once you are in the firmware settings, navigate to the boot options menu and select the USB drive as the boot device.
- Save your changes and exit the firmware settings.
- Your PC will now boot from the USB drive, and you will see the Windows 10 installation wizard.
Step 3: Install Windows 10
Now that you have booted from the USB drive, follow these steps to install Windows 10:
- Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method.
- Click “Install now” to begin the installation process.
- Enter the product key when prompted.
- Accept the license terms and click “Next”.
- Choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” to perform a clean installation.
- Select the drive where you want to install Windows and click “Next”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Step 4: Set Up Windows 10
Once the installation process is complete, you will need to set up Windows 10. Follow these steps:
- Choose your privacy settings and click “Accept”.
- Set up your account by entering your email address and password, or create a local account if you prefer.
- Choose your theme and desktop background.
- Set up your Windows preferences, such as location and language.
- Click “Next” and your PC will now be set up and ready to use!
Installing Windows 10 on a Macbook
If you have a Macbook and you want to install Windows 10, you can do so using Boot Camp Assistant. Here is how to do it:
Step 1: Check Your Macbook’s Compatibility
Before you begin, you will need to check whether your Macbook is compatible with Boot Camp Assistant and Windows 10. Here are the requirements:
- A Macbook with an Intel processor.
- At least 55GB of free disk space on your startup drive.
- A USB flash drive with at least 16GB of storage.
- The latest version of macOS.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive
The next step is to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 10 ISO file. Here is how to do it:
- Insert the USB flash drive into your Macbook.
- Open Boot Camp Assistant from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
- Select “Create a Windows 10 or later version install disk” and click “Continue”.
- Select your Windows 10 ISO file and click “Continue”.
- Select the USB flash drive as the destination disk and click “Continue”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create your bootable USB drive.
Step 3: Install Windows 10
Now that you have a bootable USB drive, it is time to install Windows 10. Follow these steps:
- Restart your Macbook and hold down the Option key.
- Select the USB flash drive as the startup disk and click “Enter”.
- Select “Install Windows” and click “Continue”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.
- When prompted, select the BOOTCAMP partition as the destination drive for Windows.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Step 4: Set Up Windows 10
Once the installation process is complete, you will need to set up Windows 10. Follow these steps:
- Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout.
- Enter the product key when prompted.
- Accept the license terms and click “Next”.
- Create a user account and password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Windows preferences.
- Click “Finish” and your Macbook will now be set up and ready to use!
FAQs
Q: Can I install Windows 10 on an older PC?
A: It depends on the age and specifications of your PC. You will need a PC with at least a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM for the 32-bit version and 2GB of RAM for the 64-bit version, and 16GB of free disk space for the 32-bit version and 20GB for the 64-bit version. You can check whether your PC is compatible with Windows 10 using the Windows 10 specifications page.
Q: Can I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free?
A: No, the free upgrade offer ended on July 29, 2016. However, you can still purchase a Windows 10 license from the Microsoft Store or other retailers.
Video Tutorial
Here is a video tutorial on how to install Windows 10:
Conclusion
Installing Windows 10 may seem daunting at first, but it is actually a straightforward process if you follow these steps. Whether you are installing Windows 10 on a PC or a Macbook, you now have the knowledge to do it yourself. If you have any further questions, feel free to consult the Microsoft Support website or other online resources for more information.
