How to Install Windows 10 from a USB: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

I’ve installed Windows 10 on thousands of different computers, and in this guide, I’ll show you my go-to method for installing Windows 10 from a USB flash drive. This guide is beginner-friendly, so anyone can install Windows 10 regardless of their computer knowledge. Plus, I’ll mention alternative methods throughout the guide, just in case my go-to method doesn’t work for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Learn how to create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 10.
  • Understand how to navigate potential installation issues.
  • Discover alternative methods for downloading the Windows 10 ISO file.
How to Install Windows 10 from USB – ULTIMATE Step-by-Step Guide!

Requirements

Before we start, you’ll need the following:

  • A blank or formattable USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space.
  • A working computer to create the Windows 10 bootable flash drive.
  • Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge installed on your computer.

Creating a Bootable USB Flash Drive

Search and Download Windows 10 ISO

First, we need to create a bootable USB flash drive with the Windows 10 ISO file on it.

  • Open Google Chrome and search for “download Windows 10.”
  • Click on the Microsoft website link to go to the Windows 10 downloads page.
  • You won’t find an option to download the Windows 10 ISO file directly. Instead, you’ll need to use the Windows 10 media creation tool.

For detailed instructions, check out my guide on How to Download Windows 10 ISO File from Microsoft.

Screenshot of the Microsoft Windows 10 download page showing the option to download the media creation tool.

Use Developer Tools to Download ISO Directly

If the media creation tool causes issues, try this alternative method:

  • Press F12 on your keyboard to open Developer Tools in Chrome.
  • Click on the three dots next to the settings icon, then go to “More Tools” and select “Network Conditions.”
  • Uncheck the “User Agent” box and change the dropdown menu to “BlackBerry BB10” or “Chrome OS.”
  • Reload the page, and now you’ll see the option to download the Windows 10 ISO file directly.

For detailed instructions, check out my guide on How to Download the Windows 10 ISO Without Media Creation Tool.

Chrome Developer Tools window with network conditions settings highlighted.

Alternative Method with Microsoft Edge

If Chrome doesn’t work, you can use Microsoft Edge:

  • Press F12 to open Developer Tools.
  • Click on the three dots next to the settings icon, then go to “More Tools” and select “Network Conditions.”
  • Uncheck the “User Agent” box and change the dropdown menu to “BlackBerry BB10” or “Chrome OS” then reload the page to download the ISO.
Microsoft Edge Developer Tools with network conditions settings highlighted.

Choose the Correct ISO and Language

  • Scroll down to select the Windows 10 multi-edition ISO.
  • Choose your preferred language. I usually select “English United States.”
  • Select the 64-bit download option since most users will be using a 64-bit system.
Windows 10 ISO download options with language and 64-bit selected.

Using Ventoy to Create a Bootable USB

While the ISO is downloading, let’s prepare the USB flash drive:

  • Navigate to the Ventoy GitHub page and download the latest release of Ventoy for Windows.
  • Extract the downloaded files and run “Ventoy2Disk.”
  • Connect your USB flash drive, refresh the Ventoy window if needed, and click “Install.”
  • Copy the Windows 10 ISO file to the root of the Ventoy USB flash drive.
Ventoy installation screen with USB drive options displayed.

Ventoy isn’t the only option for creating a bootable USB flash drive. If you’re looking for alternatives, check out these guides:


Installing Windows 10

Prepare the Installation Drive

Identify the correct drive for installation:

  • Access “Disk Management” by searching in Windows.
  • If you have multiple drives, rename a partition on the drive where you want to install Windows to something identifiable, like “Delete Me.”
Disk Management screen showing multiple drives and partitions.

Boot from USB and Select Installation Options

After setting up the bootable USB:

  • Shut down your computer and connect the USB flash drive.
  • Boot your computer and access the boot menu using the key specific to your motherboard (e.g., F12, ESC).
Screenshot from the video showing the most common boot menu keys from different computer and motherboard manufacturers.
  • Choose the “UEFI” option if available, or select the legacy boot option for older hardware.
Boot menu options displaying UEFI and legacy boot modes.

If you encounter a secure boot error when trying to boot from the Ventoy USB flash drive, check out my guide on how to add Ventoy as a secure boot option.

Running the Windows Installation

Once you’ve successfully booted from the USB flash drive, you’ll be greeted by the Windows setup screen. This is where the installation process truly begins. Let’s walk through it step-by-step to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Step 1: Set Your Time and Currency Format

When the Windows setup screen appears, the first thing you’ll need to do is set your time and currency format. This ensures that your system is configured according to your regional settings.

  • On the initial screen, leave “United States” selected for both time and currency format if you’re in the U.S. If you’re in a different region, select the appropriate option from the dropdown.
  • Click on Next, and then on the following screen, click Install Now.
Windows setup screen with time and currency format options.

Step 2: Activate Windows (Optional at This Stage)

The next screen will prompt you to enter your Windows product key. If you don’t have a product key right now, or if you plan to activate Windows later:

  • Click on I don’t have a product key. This will allow you to proceed without entering a key, and you can activate Windows after the installation is complete.
Windows activation screen with options to enter a product key or skip.

Step 3: Choose the Windows Version to Install

Now, you’ll be asked to choose which version of Windows 10 you want to install. Here’s what to do:

  • If you have a product key for a specific version, select that version from the list. For instance, if you have a key for Windows 10 Pro, select Windows 10 Pro.
  • If you’re unsure, always select a version without the “N” suffix, as the “N” versions are stripped of certain features.
  • After selecting your version, click Next.
Windows version selection screen showing multiple editions of Windows 10.

Step 4: Accept the License Terms

You’ll now see the Windows license terms. To continue:

  • Check the box to accept the terms.
  • Click Next to proceed.
License terms screen with a checkbox to accept terms and conditions.

Step 5: Choose Custom Installation

When you reach the installation type screen, you’ll have two options: Upgrade or Custom. Since we’re performing a fresh install:

  • Click on Custom: Install Windows only (advanced). This option allows you to perform a clean installation on a specific drive.
Installation type selection screen with options for upgrade and custom installation.

Step 6: Select the Drive and Prepare It for Installation

Now comes the critical part where you select the drive on which to install Windows. Here’s how to ensure you’re selecting the correct drive:

  • You’ll see a list of all drives connected to your computer, displayed as “Drive 0,” “Drive 1,” etc.
  • Scroll through the list to find the drive where you want to install Windows. In my case, I’ve identified Drive 1 because it contains the “Delete Me” partition I labeled earlier.
  • Begin deleting the partitions on this drive. Start with the bottom-most partition and work your way up. Select each partition, click Delete, and confirm by clicking OK. Continue this process until the entire drive shows as unallocated space.

If you encounter a ‘No Drives Detected‘ error during the installation, check out my guide on how to fix ‘No Drives Detected’ in Windows 10/11 installation.

Drive selection screen showing multiple drives and partitions.

Step 7: Start the Installation

With all partitions on the selected drive deleted and the space showing as unallocated:

  • Select the unallocated space on your chosen drive.
  • Click Next to begin the Windows installation.

At this point, the installation will start copying files to the drive, and you’ll just need to be patient. The time it takes will vary depending on whether you’re installing on an SSD or a traditional hard drive.

Windows installation in progress on a drive with unallocated space.

Completing the Installation

After Windows 10 has finished installing, you’ll be guided through the final setup process. This section will walk you through each step to ensure your system is set up correctly and ready to use.

Step 1: Select Your Region

Once the installation is complete, the first screen you’ll see will ask you to select your region. This is important for setting the correct time, date, and regional preferences on your system.

  • On the region selection screen, choose your country from the dropdown menu. For this guide, I’ll leave “United States” selected.
  • Click on Yes to confirm your selection.
Windows 10 region selection screen with United States selected.

Step 2: Choose Your Keyboard Layout

Next, you’ll be prompted to select your keyboard layout. This ensures that your keyboard input matches your regional language settings.

  • On the keyboard layout screen, select the appropriate layout. Again, I’ll leave it set to “United States.”
  • Click on Yes to continue.
  • If you need a second keyboard layout, you can add it now. If not, simply click Skip to proceed.
Windows 10 keyboard layout selection screen with United States layout selected.

Step 3: Bypass Network Connection (Create a Local Account)

Windows will now prompt you to connect to a network. This is typically where you’d set up a Microsoft account, but I recommend creating a local account instead for more control and privacy.

  • On the network connection screen, you’ll see a list of available Wi-Fi networks if you’re on a laptop or have a Wi-Fi card installed.
  • Instead of connecting to a network, click on the I don’t have internet option at the bottom of the screen.
  • On the next screen, click on Continue with limited setup to bypass the Microsoft account setup and create a local account.
Windows 10 network connection screen with "I don’t have internet" option highlighted.

Step 4: Create a Local User Account

Now that you’ve opted for a limited setup, it’s time to create your local user account.

  • Enter your desired username in the provided field. For this guide, I’ll use “Memory” as the username.
  • Click on Next to proceed.
  • You can create a password for your account on the next screen. If you’d prefer not to use a password, simply leave the fields blank and click Next.
Windows 10 user account creation screen with username "Memory" entered.

Step 5: Configure Privacy Settings

Windows 10 will now prompt you to adjust privacy settings. These settings control how much information is shared with Microsoft.

  • On the privacy settings screen, I recommend turning off all the sliders for maximum privacy.
  • After adjusting the settings, click on Accept to continue.
Windows 10 privacy settings screen with all sliders turned off.

Step 6: Cortana Setup (Optional)

You’ll be asked if you want to use Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant. If you don’t plan to use it:

  • Click on Not now to skip the setup.
Windows 10 Cortana setup screen with "Not now" option selected.

Step 7: Finalizing the Setup

After completing these steps, Windows 10 will finalize the setup process, and you’ll be taken to the desktop.

  • Once you see the desktop screen, congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Windows 10 on your computer.
  • However, we’re not done yet—next, we’ll need to install the latest Windows 10 updates and drivers to ensure your system runs smoothly.
Windows 10 desktop screen after successful installation.

Post-Installation Setup

Connect to the Internet and Install Updates

  • Once on the desktop, connect to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
  • Open “Settings,” go to “Update & Security,” and check for updates.
  • Install all available updates, including optional driver updates.

For detailed instructions, check out my guide on How to Install or Update Drivers on Windows 10 & 11.

Windows 10 update screen with pending updates listed.

Install Essential Software

To make your Windows 10 experience smoother, install essential programs:

  • Use Ninite.com to install multiple programs at once, like Google Chrome, VLC, and Malwarebytes to name a few examples.
  • Set your default apps in “Settings” under “Apps” > “Default Apps.”
Ninite installer window showing selected apps for installation.

After installing Windows 10, there are several tweaks you can apply to optimize your system and enhance your user experience. These adjustments are easy to implement and can make a noticeable difference in performance and privacy. Here’s a concise guide to my recommended tweaks:

Create a Shortcut for This PC:

  • Open File Explorer, click on “This PC,” and drag it to your desktop to create a shortcut.
  • Pin this shortcut to the taskbar for quick access.
Windows 10 File Explorer with "This PC" being dragged to the desktop to create a shortcut.

Disable Notifications:

  • Go to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions and turn off all unnecessary notifications.
Windows 10 Notifications & Actions settings with unnecessary notifications turned off.

Disable Tablet Mode:

  • Go to Settings > System > Tablet and set it to “Never use tablet mode.”
Windows 10 Tablet settings with tablet mode set to "Never use."

Set Default Apps:

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and choose your preferred default applications for web browsing, music, photos, and videos. For example, set Google Chrome as the default browser, iTunes for music, FastStone for photos, and Media Player Classic or VLC Media Player for videos.
Windows 10 Default Apps settings showing selected default applications like Google Chrome and Media Player Classic.

Disable Unnecessary Startup Items:

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable any startup items you don’t need, such as Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft Edge.
Windows 10 Startup settings with unnecessary startup items disabled.

Adjust Sign-in Options:

  • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and uncheck the option to automatically reopen apps after restarting your computer.
Windows 10 Sign-in options with the "Reopen apps after restart" option unchecked.

Disable Xbox Game Bar (Optional):

  • Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it off if you don’t plan to use it. You may also disable Game Mode if preferred.
Windows 10 Gaming settings with Xbox Game Bar disabled.

Adjust Privacy Settings:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy and turn off all unnecessary sliders under General, Speech, Inking & Typing, and Diagnostics & Feedback.
  • Change Diagnostics to “Required” and set Feedback frequency to “Never.”
  • Under Activity History, uncheck “Send my activity history to Microsoft” and clear your activity history.
Windows 10 Privacy settings with all sliders turned off.

Disable Background Apps:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps and turn off all background apps to free up system resources.
Windows 10 Background Apps settings with all background apps turned off.

Turn Off App Diagnostics:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy > App diagnostics and turn off the app diagnostics feature.
Windows 10 App Diagnostics settings with the app diagnostics feature turned off.

These recommended tweaks will help you optimize your Windows 10 experience, ensuring better performance, enhanced privacy, and a more streamlined system overall.

Activate Windows

Ensuring your Windows 10 is activated is crucial for accessing all features and receiving updates. Here’s how to check and activate your copy:

  • From the Windows 10 desktop, right-click the Start button and select Settings.
  • Navigate to Update & Security and then click on Activation.
  • Confirm that Windows 10 is activated with a digital license.
Checking Windows 10 activation status after installation.

If your copy of Windows isn’t activated or you need more detailed instructions, be sure to check out my detailed guide on how to activate Windows 10 & 11.

How to Activate Windows 10/11 and Remove Watermark (Legal & Easy)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Windows 10 on your computer. With the system up and running, be sure to install all the latest updates and drivers to keep your PC performing optimally. Don’t forget to customize your settings to make the OS work best for you. If you plan to play games or need to optimize Windows 10 for better performance, check out my Windows 10 optimization guide.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I download the Windows 10 ISO without the Media Creation Tool?

You can use Chrome or Edge with Developer Tools to change the user agent and download the Windows 10 ISO directly.

What should I do if the installation process gets stuck?

Try unplugging any unnecessary USB devices, and ensure your installation media is not corrupted.

How do I activate Windows 10 after installation?

You can use a digital license or product key. Follow this guide for more details.

Can I use this method to install Windows 10 on a Mac?

Yes, you can create a bootable USB on a Mac using similar steps, but the installation process will differ.

What are the benefits of using Ventoy over other tools?

Ventoy allows you to boot multiple ISO files from a single USB, making it versatile for different installations.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *