Forum Discussion
How can i create a bootable usb drive for windows 10 install?
Bought an used laptop from eBay and the seller has wiped the drive. Currently, there is no os on it. I was told to make a Windows 10 installation media to get the job done. The laptop is about 7 years old and here are the specs:
- Intel i5 7th Gen CPU
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- Nvidia 1060Ti graphics card
What is the best way to create bootable USB drive for Windows 10 clean install?
Thanks
7 Replies
- GracePerezIron Contributor
You can check out this simple guide for creating Windows 10 bootable USB on any PC:
https://www.pctipdaily.com/download-windows-10-iso-64-bit
- VaughnRamseyIron Contributor
Why not use Bootsect if you are going to You can create bootable USB drive for Windows 10?
- Download bootsect.exe from a trusted source (often included in Windows ADK or other tools).
- Alternatively, you can obtain bootsect.exe from a Windows installation ISO's sources folder.
- Copy bootsect.exe to your USB drive.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Navigate to the USB drive: X:
- Run the command: bootsect /nt60 X:
- This updates the boot sector to make it bootable for BIOS or UEFI systems.
And then, boot from USB:
- Restart your PC.
- Enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, DEL, or ESC during startup).
- Set the USB drive as the first boot device.
- Save settings and reboot.
- Your PC should now boot from the USB drive and start Windows 10 installation.
To create bootable USB drive for Windows 10. This manual method does not always guarantee a bootable drive for UEFI systems. For UEFI, ensure the ISO is UEFI-compatible, and your system supports UEFI boot.
- BlackrageIron Contributor
When creating a Windows 10 bootable USB, make sure your USB flash drive has at least 8GB of storage and is completely empty, as the Media Creation Tool will erase all existing data during the process. It's best to use a reliable, high-speed USB 3.0 drive for faster performance and fewer chances of errors during installation.
Check the firmware mode of the target computer whether it uses UEFI or Legacy BIOS as this affects how the USB should be formatted. Fortunately, the Media Creation Tool automatically creates a USB that supports both UEFI and BIOS boot modes, so you generally don't need to worry about partition schemes like GPT or MBR when using it for making a bootable usb drive for Windows 10.
Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection, as the tool downloads the latest Windows 10 setup files, which can be several gigabytes in size. If you're planning to install Windows 10 on a different PC, double-check the system requirements and have your Windows product key handy if needed, especially if the new PC hasn’t previously been activated with Windows 10.
- CComillekIron Contributor
How to create Windows 10 bootable USB? You can do so manually using tools like DiskPart and a Windows ISO file. Here's a step-by-step guide to create Windows 10 bootable USB:
- Download the Windows 10 ISO and insert your USB drive and Backup any data on it, as the process will erase all data.
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Use DiskPart to prepare the USB:
- Type diskpart and press Enter.
- List disks: list disk
- Identify your USB drive by size, then select it: select disk X (replace X with your USB disk number)
- Clean the drive: clean
- Create a primary partition: create partition primary
- Select the partition: select partition 1
- Format as FAT32 (or NTFS if FAT32 isn't supported): format fs=fat32 quick
- Assign a drive letter: assign
- Exit DiskPart: exit - Mount the ISO file:
- Right-click the ISO file and select Mount (Windows 8 and above).
- Note the drive letter assigned to the mounted ISO. - Copy files from ISO to USB:
- Use Command Prompt or File Explorer:
- For Command Prompt: xcopy D:\*.* E:\ /E /F /H . Replace D: with the ISO mount drive letter and E: with your USB drive letter. - Create Windows 10 bootable USB:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator again.
- Navigate to your USB drive: E: (or your drive letter)
- Run bootsect to make the USB bootable: bootsect /nt60 E:
- Download the Windows 10 ISO and insert your USB drive and Backup any data on it, as the process will erase all data.
- LightpurpleIron Contributor
Using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to create bootable usb drive for Windows 10 is generally a reliable and straightforward method, but there are a few potential disadvantages or limitations to consider:
1. Requires Internet Connection:
The tool needs to download the latest Windows 10 ISO, which can take time depending on your internet speed. If your connection is slow or unstable, it may prolong the process.2. Limited Customization:
The Media Creation Tool create bootable usb drive for Windows 10. If you want to include custom drivers, pre-installed software, or specific configurations, this method doesn't support that directly.3. Single ISO Version:
It downloads the latest Windows 10 version, which may include updates or features you don't need. If you want an older version or a specific build, you'll need to find alternative sources.4. No Support for Multiple Editions:
The tool generally downloads the edition matching your current system license. If you need a different edition (e.g., Windows 10 Pro vs. Home), you might need to manually select or modify the ISO afterward.5. Hardware Compatibility:
While rare, some older hardware may have compatibility issues with the latest Windows 10 version created via the tool, especially if BIOS/UEFI settings aren't configured properly. - MerrittIron Contributor
Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is the official solution to create bootable USB drive for Windows 10. helps users upgrade, reinstall, or create installation media for Windows 10.
How to Create Bootable USB for Windows 10
1. Double-click the downloaded file (MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe).
2. Click “Yes” when prompted for administrator permission.
3. Select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”
4. Either use the recommended options for your current PC, or uncheck the box to choose manually.
5. Choose your USB flash drive from the list. Be sure it’s the right one — all data will be erased. Click Next.
6. The tool will download Windows 10 and create the bootable USB.
7. This can take 15–60 minutes depending on your internet speed.
8. When finished, you’ll see: “Your USB flash drive is ready” Click Finish and safely eject the USB.
Now you can boot from the USB to install or repair Windows 10.
- BrendasterIron Contributor
How to create bootable usb drive for Windows 10? Think of it like making a backup copy of a movie or a game — as long as you're using the right tools and selecting the correct drive, things usually go smoothly. But if you pick the wrong drive or click the wrong button, you might wipe out some files you didn't mean to delete. So, double-check which drive you're using before hitting "start."
From my own experience:
I've set up bootable USBs dozens of times, and the only "danger" is messing up the source drive or accidentally formatting the wrong disk. Once you pick the right drive and follow the instructions (using tools like Rufus or Microsoft's Media Creation Tool), everything should be fine. Just make sure you back up any important files from the USB or drive you're using, because creating bootable usb drive for Windows 10 will wipe that drive clean.