How to Install Windows 10 Using USB Flash Drive?

Install Windows from a USB Flash Drive

If you are still using Windows 7 and not upgraded yet to Windows 10, we recommend that you upgrade it today or you may install Windows 10 using USB flash drive with this step-by-step guide in this following article.

Windows 10 is one of the most used operating systems nowadays after the popularity of Windows 7.

Windows 10 is a highly enhanced operating system by Microsoft that contains lots of features as compared to older versions of the OS (like Vista, Windows 7 and 8.1).

You can accept voice commands with the help of Cortana. All of the settings are in one place and many more.

How to Install Windows 10 Using a Pen Drive?

What do you need?

• Working Windows PC with high speed internet
• 8 GB of Flash/Pen drive with free space
• Windows 10 ISO image, download here
• Media creation tool (to create a bootable USB), download here

Once you collect all the above, we need to create a flash drive bootable for Windows 10 that we can use to install Windows 10 instead of Windows disk.

Insert flash drive into working windows PC. Make sure you are on the same computer where you have downloaded Windows 10 ISO

Then, watch the below video tutorial to create a USB flash drive bootable. The video is dedicated to Windows 11 but the same steps will work for Windows 10. You just need to select Windows 10 ISO instead.

Once the USB flash drive is created as bootable, unplug it and insert it into the computer in which you want to install Windows 10.

Caution: For safety purposes, before we start the Windows 10 installation process, we recommend that you back up your personal or important data to any external drive and disconnect that external hard drive.

Windows 10 Installation with Pictures

Follow the steps given below to install windows 10 using a USB flash drive. Do not skip any steps and be patient while installation is in progress.

Step 1. Select the first boot device on the flash drive:

1. Now you need to access its boot menu in order to boot from the USB flash drive for the first time only.
   Boot menus can be accessed with F12 & F10 key for most of the manufacturers or may vary.
   Restart your PC and keep tapping F12 & F10 keys together.
2. If doesn’t work for you Press the Del or Delete key to go into BIOS settings and change the first boot order to a flash drive.
   Then, press the F10 key to save the settings and reboot the PC.

Step 2. It will initiate the Windows 10 installation process from a USB flash drive and will show you the Start Windows.

Wait until the next option comes up on your screen.

Step 3. Here’s, the Windows setup will start and it comes with an option to choose the language to install.

No need to change anything if preferred English language, just click on the Next button given.

Step 4. Click on Install now button to continue the Windows 10 installation.

Step 5. On the next screen, it can ask you for the Windows product key. The product key is a license for you to use Microsoft products.

If you have that 25-digit alphanumeric key, you may type and click Next to continue or you can Skip and will activate later by using the Windows activator (available at the end of this article).

Step 6. You will see another screen that is asking you which type of installation you want?

Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) to continue.

Step 7. Here, you will see your hard drive partitions. Select the hard drive and click the next button to continue the Windows 10 installation.

Step 8. The Windows 10 installation will start and it will start copying files and other features. You just need to wait.

Important Note:

If you have changed the boot order to USB from BIOS settings (Step 1 –> option 1) then, its mandate to make BIOS setting default on its first restart while installing Windows 10.

Otherwise, it will keep running the same process in the loop.

While the installation is in process, your computer will restart 2-3 times automatically so, don’t worry and let it be done the task automatically.

It will take around 30-35 minutes to do the complete installation.

Finally, you will be navigate to the initial setup screen to configure your user account’s security, location, WiFi, language, and so on.

Finally, it will start to personalize your settings and prepare your desktop screen and that’s all.

Lastly, if you have not used any product keys to license your Windows 10 OS. You can install Windows 10 using a USB flash drive in the manner described in this article.

You may now activate Windows 10 using the Windows 10 activator, download it here.

[Read: How to Install Windows 7 with USB Drive?]