Installing Windows 10 can be a bit daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. But with the right tools and instructions, it’s not too difficult to do. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of installing Windows 10 on your PC using a flash drive.
Step 1: Download and Create a Bootable USB Drive for Windows 10
The first step in installing Windows 10 is to download and create a bootable USB drive for the installation. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Microsoft website and click on the “Download now” button to download the Windows 10 installation media tool.
- Run the tool and accept the license terms and conditions.
- Choose “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”.
- Select the language, architecture, and edition of Windows 10 you want to install and click “Next”.
- Choose “USB flash drive” and click “Next”.
- Select the USB drive you want to use as the bootable drive and click “Next”.
- Wait for the tool to download and create the bootable USB drive.
Once you’ve created the bootable USB drive, you’re ready to install Windows 10 on your PC.
Step 2: Install Windows 10
To install Windows 10 on your PC, follow these steps:
- Insert the bootable USB drive into your PC.
- Restart your PC and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the key indicated on the screen during startup (usually F2 or Delete).
- In the BIOS settings, change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
- Save and exit the BIOS settings.
- Your PC will now boot from the USB drive and you’ll see the Windows Setup screen.
- Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method and click “Next”.
- Click “Install now”.
- Enter the product key or skip this step if you don’t have one.
- Accept the license terms and conditions and click “Next”.
- Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.
- Select the partition or hard drive you want to install Windows 10 on and click “Next”.
- Wait for the installation process to complete.
- Your PC will restart several times during the installation process. Make sure to remove the USB drive during the first restart.
- Set up Windows 10 by following the on-screen instructions.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully installed Windows 10 on your PC using a USB drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I backup my data before installing Windows 10?
Before installing Windows 10, it’s important to backup your data to ensure that you don’t lose anything important during the installation process. Here’s how to backup your data:
- Connect an external hard drive or USB drive to your PC.
- Click on the “Start” button and select “Settings”.
- Select “Update & Security” and then “Backup”.
- Click “Add a drive” and select the external hard drive or USB drive you want to use for the backup.
- Select “More options” and choose what files and folders you want to backup.
- Click “Back up now” to start the backup process.
Once the backup is complete, you’re ready to install Windows 10 on your PC.
What do I do if I don’t have a product key for Windows 10?
If you don’t have a product key for Windows 10, you can still install and use Windows 10 on your PC. However, there will be some limitations, such as not being able to change the wallpaper or customize the appearance of Windows 10. Here’s how to install Windows 10 without a product key:
- Follow steps 1-8 in the “Step 2: Install Windows 10” section above.
- When prompted to enter a product key, click “I don’t have a product key”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully installed Windows 10 without a product key.
Video Tutorial
For a visual guide on how to install Windows 10 using a USB drive, check out the video below:
