Difference between revisions of "Install Windows from a USB Flash Drive"
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#Ensure that your flash drive is empty and has at least 4 GB of space. Any files on your flash drive will be deleted when the Windows installation files are added. Your USB drive will need to have at least 4 GB of storage in order to create the installer.<ref name="rf17135">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install</ref> | #Ensure that your flash drive is empty and has at least 4 GB of space. Any files on your flash drive will be deleted when the Windows installation files are added. Your USB drive will need to have at least 4 GB of storage in order to create the installer.<ref name="rf17135">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install</ref> | ||
#Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. This utility allows you to turn your flash drive into a Windows 10 installation drive. You don't need to be using Windows 10 to use this tool. You can download this tool for free from Microsoft at {{samp|microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10}}. | #Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. This utility allows you to turn your flash drive into a Windows 10 installation drive. You don't need to be using Windows 10 to use this tool. You can download this tool for free from Microsoft at {{samp|microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10}}. | ||
| − | #*Nearly all newer computers are 64-bit, but you can check to determine what version of Windows you are currently running in your System Properties window. [[Check | + | #*Nearly all newer computers are 64-bit, but you can check to determine what version of Windows you are currently running in your System Properties window. [[Check if Windows Is 32 Bits or 64 Bits|Click here]] for more details. |
#*You'll need to have administrator access to use this tool. | #*You'll need to have administrator access to use this tool. | ||
#Run the media creation tool and select "Create installation media for another PC". You'll be asked to select what version of Windows 10 you want to download. If you are upgrading from a Home or Starter version of Windows 7 or 8, select "Windows 10 Home". If you are upgrading from a Professional or Ultimate version of Windows 7 or 8, select "Windows 10 Pro". If you aren't upgrading from Windows 7 or 8, select whichever version of Windows you purchased a product key for. | #Run the media creation tool and select "Create installation media for another PC". You'll be asked to select what version of Windows 10 you want to download. If you are upgrading from a Home or Starter version of Windows 7 or 8, select "Windows 10 Home". If you are upgrading from a Professional or Ultimate version of Windows 7 or 8, select "Windows 10 Pro". If you aren't upgrading from Windows 7 or 8, select whichever version of Windows you purchased a product key for. | ||
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#Insert a USB drive with at least 4 GB of storage. Make sure that you've saved any important files elsewhere, as the process will erase all of the data on the USB drive. | #Insert a USB drive with at least 4 GB of storage. Make sure that you've saved any important files elsewhere, as the process will erase all of the data on the USB drive. | ||
#Run the Media Creation Tool and select the version you want. Make sure this version matches your Windows 8.1 product key, as you'll need the product key to install Windows. You cannot use a previous version's product key to install Windows 8.1. | #Run the Media Creation Tool and select the version you want. Make sure this version matches your Windows 8.1 product key, as you'll need the product key to install Windows. You cannot use a previous version's product key to install Windows 8.1. | ||
| − | #*Most users with newer computers can select the 64-bit version, but you can double-check in your System Properties window. [[Check | + | #*Most users with newer computers can select the 64-bit version, but you can double-check in your System Properties window. [[Check if Windows Is 32 Bits or 64 Bits|Click here]] for more details. |
#Select "USB flash drive". You will be prompted to choose which flash drive you want to use if you have multiple drives connected. | #Select "USB flash drive". You will be prompted to choose which flash drive you want to use if you have multiple drives connected. | ||
#Wait for the download to complete. The Windows 8.1 installation files will be downloaded and copied onto the flash drive. This process will likely take a while if you have a slow internet connection. You can monitor the progress in the main window. | #Wait for the download to complete. The Windows 8.1 installation files will be downloaded and copied onto the flash drive. This process will likely take a while if you have a slow internet connection. You can monitor the progress in the main window. | ||
