Forum Discussion
Look for a good windows 10 media creation tool for os install
One of my backup PCs is still running the legacy Windows 7 Home edition. Unfortunately, many of the modern apps are not working well in Windows 7. I heard it could be better upgrading the PC to Windows 10.
What is best windows 10 media creation tool I can use in 2025? I can see a lot of bootable USB creator software no long work.
Best,
Cam
7 Replies
- IllinoisPrairieIron Contributor
I tried three different methods to create a Windows 10 bootable USB. This one is the best I have used:
https://www.techgizz.com/best-way-to-create-windows-10-installation-media
- DamkIron Contributor
Oscdimg Media Creation Tool for Windows 10. It is another command-line tool used to create bootable ISO image files from a folder containing Windows installation files. It is part of the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) and is commonly used for creating custom Windows installation media, recovery discs, or deployment images.
What Does Oscdimg Do:
Creates Bootable ISO Files: Converts a folder (e.g., extracted Windows installation files) into an ISO that can be burned to a DVD or flashed to a USB.
Supports BIOS & UEFI Boot: Generate ISOs that boot in Legacy (BIOS) or UEFI mode.
Used in Windows Deployment: Often used with tools like DISM and Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) for automated deployments.
Customizable Boot Setting: Allows setting boot sectors (etfsboot.com for BIOS, efisys.bin for UEFI).
How to Use Oscdimg:
Create Windows 10 installation media with this command with the help of this free media creation tool for Windows 10:
oscdimg -bootdata:2#p0,e,b"etfsboot.com"#pEF,e,b"efisys.bin" "C:\Win10Source" "C:\Win10_Install.iso"
- WalterttorIron Contributor
There are a few common pitfalls and errors you definitely want to dodge when using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
- If your USB stick is old, flaky, or has bad sectors, the creation process might fail, or the installer might crash during install. You can use a good-quality, freshly formatted USB (at least 8GB). I’ve had better luck with new or freshly wiped drives.
- Sometimes, if other USB devices are plugged in, like external drives or dongles, they can interfere or confuse the boot process. Just unplug anything unnecessary—stick only the installer USB and the keyboard/mouse.
- The Media Creation Tool downloads the latest Windows files. If your internet drops out mid-download, it can corrupt the ISO or cause errors. Use a stable connection, preferably wired, if possible.
- Some antivirus programs might interfere with the creation process, flagging it as suspicious. Temporarily disable antivirus software during creation (don’t forget to turn it back on afterward).
- After creating the media, if your PC isn’t set to boot from USB first, you’ll get stuck at boot or see errors. Double-check your BIOS/UEFI settings and set USB as the first boot device before rebooting.
- Not all old hardware supports Windows 10 Media Creation Tool well, and sometimes drivers aren’t available. Do a quick check that your PC meets Windows 10 requirements before starting.
- MichiganGreatLakeIron Contributor
You can use DISM to create a bootable Windows 10 installation USB drive or ISO by applying a Windows 10 image (.wim or .esd file) to a USB drive.
DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a command-line based free Windows 10 media creation tool used for servicing and preparing Windows images, including those used for Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment), Windows Recovery Environment, and full Windows installations. It allows you to mount, modify, and manage Windows image (.wim) or virtual hard disk (.vhd/.vhdx) files.
✅ Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
1. A working Windows PC.
2. A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage (preferably 16 GB or more).
3. A downloaded Windows 10 ISO file from the official Microsoft website.
4. Administrative privileges on your PC.✅ Step-by-Step Guide Using DISM:
Insert the Windows 10 ISO file into your system (or download it if you haven't already).
Right-click the ISO file and select Mount. This will assign it a drive letter (e.g., D:).
F:\sources\install.wim
Once the ISO is mounted, navigate to the sources folder. This is the image file you’ll use with DISM.
Now, use DISM to apply the install.wim image to the USB drive. Replace D: with your mounted ISO drive letter and E: with your USB drive letter.
dism /apply-image /imagefile:D:\sources\install.wim /index:1 /applydir:E:\
After applying the image, you need to make the USB drive bootable by copying the boot files:
bcdboot E:\Windows /s E: /f UEFI
Safely eject the USB drive. Insert it into the target PC. Boot from the USB drive (you may need to change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI). Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.
✅ Bonus Tip
You can also use DISM to capture and deploy custom Windows images, which is useful for system administrators or advanced users deploying Windows across multiple machines.
- JedidiahinIron Contributor
You're thinking about using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, huh? Honestly, I’ve played around with it a bunch, and for the most part, it’s pretty straightforward and safe if you follow the instructions.
From my experience, the main thing to watch out for is making sure you’re downloading it directly from Microsoft’s official site. If you grab it from somewhere shady, you risk getting a tampered version with malware or bugs. Also, before you do anything, backup your important stuff just in case—better safe than sorry.
Other than that, the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is designed to be pretty safe and user-friendly. It helps you create a bootable USB or ISO for installing or repairing Windows, and it usually does a good job without messing things up.
Just get it from Microsoft’s official page, back up your stuff, and follow the steps, and you should be good. No major dangers if you stick to the basics!
- CatherinemIron Contributor
The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (MCT) is an official Microsoft utility that allows users to:
✔ Download the latest Windows 10 ISO file.
✔ Create a bootable USB drive for installation.
✔ Upgrade an existing PC to Windows 10.It ensures you get a clean, up-to-date version of Windows 10 with all the latest updates.
The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is generally reliable, but users often encounter issues. Below are the most common problems and their solutions.
1. "Media Creation Tool Failed" or Crashes
✅ Run as Administrator
Right-click MediaCreationTool.exe → Run as administrator.
✅ Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily
Security software (like Norton, McAfee, or Windows Defender) may block the tool.
✅ Check Internet Connection
Use a stable wired connection (Wi-Fi drops can corrupt downloads).
Disable VPNs/proxies.
✅ Use a Different USB Port/Drive
Try USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0 (some systems have compatibility issues).
Use a different USB stick (some brands fail during writes).
✅ Clear Temporary Files
Press Win + R, type %temp% → Delete all files.
2. "We Couldn’t Download Windows 10"
✅ Restart the Tool & PCSometimes, a simple restart fixes download errors.
✅ Use a Different Network
Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet (or vice versa).
Try a mobile hotspot (some ISPs block Microsoft servers).
✅ Download the ISO Manually
Instead of Windows 10 media creation tool, download the ISO directly from Windows 10 download page.
Then use Rufus to make a bootable USB.
✅ Check Date & Time Settings
Incorrect system time can break HTTPS downloads.
Go to Settings > Time & Language > Sync now.
- NskdoIron Contributor
What is best Windows 10 media creation tool in 2025, the best and most reliable free tool is the Microsoft Media Creation Tool. It is officially provided by Microsoft and is regularly updated to support the latest Windows 10 versions.
Here's what you should do:
1. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool:
- Visit the official Microsoft website, click on "Download tool now" to get the latest version.
2. Create the installation media:
- Run the Media Creation Tool.
- Choose "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC".
- Select your language, edition, and architecture (64-bit is common).
- Choose USB flash drive (at least 8GB) or ISO file to burn later to a DVD.
3. Use a reliable USB creator if needed:
- The Media Creation Tool itself handles the process well.Ensure your USB drive is empty or contains no important data, as it will be formatted. Verify your PC's hardware compatibility with Windows 10 before upgrading. Backup your data before proceeding with the upgrade.