How to install Windows 10 from USB with step by step guide?

[Axelohu]

Hi,

I recently built a budget PC for my dad from used parts and I want to run Windows 10 on it. Here are the hardware specs:

• CPU: Intel i5-6500
• RAM: Crucial 8GB DDR4
• Storage: Kingston 250GB SSD
• Motherboard: ASUS Prime B350M

Currently, I have a Windows 11 laptop and MacBook Pro at home. How can I install Windows 10 from USB drive? It could be great if you shared me a step-by-step guide with screenshots in order to install Windows 10 on this PC.

Thank you

[#2]

To install Windows 11 from USB on a PC, the first step is to download Windows 10 ISO and make a bootable USB drive from the ISO image. After that, boot the PC from USB drive by opening the quick boot menu and start installing Windows 10 from USB drive.

[#3]

When you're planning to install Windows 10 from a USB drive, if you don't want to lose any important files during the installation process. please back up all your important data, whether it's on an external drive, in the cloud, or whatever method you prefer. Better safe than sorry! Check Windows' minimum requirements online. You'll usually need at least a 1GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and 20GB of free space. If you can, it's better to go above those specs for smoother performance.

When you restart your PC, hit the key that gets you into your BIOS/UEFI settings (usually F2, F10, ESC, or DEL—different for different PCs). Make sure to set the USB drive as the first boot option. Also, check if you need to turn off "Secure Boot" or switch from UEFI to Legacy Boot depending on how the USB was created

[#4]

When installing Windows 10 from a USB drive, the most critical part of the process is ensuring that the USB drive is properly created as a bootable drive. If the bootable USB doesn't contain the right files or isn't set up correctly, you won't be able to boot from it to start the installation of Windows 10.

Utilize the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. This tool not only downloads the Windows files but also formats the USB correctly and makes it bootable. Using third-party tools can be risky if they're not reliable.

[#5]

@Axelohu Windows 10 is still a popular choice for most people as Windows 11 needs high profile hardware. Most of the PCs are fully compatible with Windows 10 OS. And there are many step-by-step guides for install Windows 10 from USB with picture present.

One key step is to create a Windows 10 bootable USB. You can do this on a PC using the official Windows 10 Media Creation Tool or Terminal app on a Mac. You should prepare a fast physical USB drive with more than 8GB storage. Once you have a working Windows 10 bootable installer, then you can install Windows 10 from USB by booting from BIOS.

[#6]

Aside from creating the bootable USB, here are a couple of other important factors to keep in mind that can impact you install Windows 10 from USB:

• Make sure to access your BIOS/UEFI settings and adjust the boot order to prioritize the USB drive. This step is necessary so that your computer recognizes the USB drive as the bootable device.
  
  
• Before you start the installation, make sure to back up any important files and understand partition management, especially if you're formatting a disk or existing partition. Losing data can be a risk if you're not careful.
  
  
• If you plan on activating Windows 10, have your product key ready. While you can skip entering it during installation, it’s essential for activation after installation.

[#7]

@Axelohu I just installed Windows 10 from USB on my HP laptop and the most important part is to download Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft website. Please don't try the ISO images shared by us, which could contain virus, malware or spyware.

Download link: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10ISO

After that you can use the bootable USB software like Media Creation Tool or Rufus to make a Windows 10 bootable USB for installation. 

Next, connect the USB to the target computer and reboot it. Press the special key to open Boot Menu or enter into BIOS to set the USB as the first booting device. Once done, you will see the installation wizard and follow the prompt to install Windows 10 from USB. This is the step-by-step guide for installing Windows 10 on any PC.

[#8]

When you're in the Media Creation Tool, make sure to select the correct USB drive. Selecting the wrong drive can lead to accidentally wiping important data from another drive. The Media Creation Tool handles the formatting automatically, but if you're doing it manually, ensure it's formatted to FAT32. This is essential for UEFI systems, while NTFS can sometimes be used for BIOS systems, but FAT32 is more universally compatible. Good luck installing Windows 10 from USB.