The best way to make windows 10 installation media for usb boot?

Tested 5 different ways and this one is the best for speed and quality:

https://www.techmodos.com/make-windows-10-installation-media

Now, my 12 years old Dell XPS is running Windows 10 quite well!

Certainly! If you want to make Windows 10 installation media for USB boot, you can do it manually by downloading the ISO and preparing the USB drive with open-source. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the official Microsoft website, and select "Download tool now" or directly download the ISO.
2. Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of space.
3.Using Vantoy
Download Vantoy.
Extract and run the Vantoy installer.
Select your USB drive and install Vantoy onto it (this will format the drive).
Copy the Windows 10 ISO file into the Vantoy USB drive.
Boot from the USB, and Vantoy will list the ISO for selection.

Creating bootable media manually can be tricky, but tools like Vantoy make Windows 10 installation media easier and more flexible without relying on Windows-specific tools.

When you plan to create a Windows 10 installation media (USB or DVD), pay attention to the following key points to ensure a smooth and successful installation:

1. System Requirements

Verify that your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 10:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: 1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
• Storage: 32 GB or more
• Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Display: 800×600 resolution or higher

2. Download the Correct Windows 10 Version

• Use the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool (download here) to avoid malware risks.
• Choose the correct edition (Home, Pro, Education, etc.).
• Select the right architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) based on your system.
• Ensure the language matches your preference.

3. USB Drive or DVD Selection

• USB flash drive: At least 8GB (preferably USB 3.0 for faster installation).
• DVD: A blank single-layer (4.7GB) or dual-layer (8.5GB) disc.
• Backup data on the USB/DVD, as it will be erased during creation.

By following these steps carefully, you can create a reliable Windows 10 installation media and avoid common pitfalls. Let me know if you need further clarification!

Method to Make Windows 10 installation media Using Windows Built-in Tools

Step 1: Download the Windows 10 ISO
Step 2: Insert your USB drive (preferably 8GB or larger).
Step 3: Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
Step 4: Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Step 5: Type the following commands: diskpart
           In DiskPart, list disks: list disk
           Identify your USB drive by size. Then select it: select disk X
           Clean the disk: clean
           Create a primary partition: create partition primary
           Format it as FAT32 (or NTFS if needed): format fs=fat32 quick
           Assign a drive letter: assign exit
Step 6: Mount the ISO and Copy Files
            Mount the Windows 10 ISO by double-clicking it or right-clicking and selecting Mount.
            Note the drive letter of the mounted ISO (e.g., D:).
           Copy all files from the ISO to your USB drive: xcopy D:\*.* X:\ /E /F /H
Step 7: Make Windows 10 installation media
         Open Command Prompt as Administrator again.
          Run the following commands: bootsect /nt60 X:
Step 8: Boot from USB
          Safely eject the USB.
          Insert it into the target PC and boot from USB (via BIOS/UEFI boot menu).

There are a few classic errors you want to dodge when making Windows 10 installation media. Here's the lowdown, straight-up style:

• Make sure it’s at least 8 GB and completely empty or at least has no important files. If you try to use a USB with stuff on it, the process will often fail or overwrite your data without warning.
• The Media Creation Tool usually handles this, but if you’re using other tools like Rufus, double-check you’ve got the right partition scheme (GPT/UEFI or MBR/Legacy BIOS) depending on your PC. Pick the wrong one, and your PC might not boot the USB.
• Stick to the official Microsoft site. If you go off-road, you risk getting corrupted or tampered files. Trust me, it’s not worth the headache.
• Once it starts making Windows 10 installation media, don’t turn off the PC or unplug the USB. Interrupting can corrupt the files, leaving your USB useless.
• Always get the latest version from Microsoft. If you try to install an older or mismatched ISO, it might cause activation or compatibility issues.
• Make sure your BIOS is set to boot from USB. Sometimes, you need to disable Secure Boot or enable Legacy mode depending on your hardware. Skipping this step can leave you stuck at boot time.

To make Windows 10 installation media free, follow these steps:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool:
   Click on Download tool now to get the Media Creation Tool.

2. Run the Media Creation Tool:
   Open the downloaded file.
   Accept the license terms.

3. Create Installation Media:
   Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
   Select language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit). You can usually leave these as recommended for your PC.

4. Choose Media Type:
    Select USB flash drive (at least 8GB of space, note that it will be formatted) or ISO file.
    If you choose ISO, you'll need to burn it to a DVD later.

5. Make Windows 10 installation media:
   Follow prompts to select your USB drive or save the ISO file.
   The tool will download Windows 10 files and create the bootable media.

6. Use the Media to Install Windows 10:
   Insert the USB or DVD into your target PC.
   Restart the PC and boot from the USB or DVD (you might need to change boot order in BIOS/UEFI).
   Follow on-screen instructions to install or repair Windows 10.

A valid Windows 10 product key is required for activation after installation, but you can install and use Windows 10 without activation with limited features.