Install Windows from a USB Flash Drive

If you're trying to install Windows on a laptop that doesn't have a DVD drive, or you want a portable installation tool that you can use on a lot of computers, creating a bootable USB Windows installation drive may be the answer you're looking for. All modern versions of Windows can be easily installed from a USB drive, as long as you have a valid Windows product key. You'll need a USB flash drive that has at least 4 GB of storage. For Windows 7 and Vista, you'll need an installation disc or an ISO image file of the installation disc as well.

Steps

Windows 10

1. 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.
2. 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 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. Click here for more details.
   • You'll need to have administrator access to use this tool.
3. 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.
   • Upgrading from Windows 7 or 8 is free until July 2016.
4. Select "USB flash drive". This will allow the tool to automatically format your flash drive so that you can boot from it and install the Windows files. Any files already on the flash drive will be deleted, so make sure you've saved anything important.
5. Wait for the download and creation process to complete. The tool will need to download nearly 4 GB of data, which can take a significant amount of time on slower connections. Click "Finish" after the download is complete.
6. Upgrade a Windows 7 or 8 computer to register before installing Windows 10 (upgrading only). If you're creating this flash drive to install Windows 10 on a computer that is currently running Windows 7 or 8 in order to take advantage of the free upgrade, you must use the Upgrade utility first before performing a clean install. This registers your computer with Microsoft to make up for the fact that you don't have a product key. If you don't upgrade first, you won't be able to activate Windows 10 unless you purchase a product key or reinstall your old version of Windows and try again.
   • Run the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool on the computer that you want to upgrade to Windows 10.
   • Select "Upgrade this PC now" and follow the prompts to install Windows 10. You won't lose any of your files. After upgrading to Windows 10, you can use your new flash drive to perform a clean install at any time on that PC.
7. Insert the flash drive in the computer you want to install Windows on. Once your flash drive is ready, you can use it to start installing Windows 10. Make sure that if you're trying to upgrade an older version of Windows, you have a valid Windows 10 product key or have already registered the computer using the free upgrade method in the previous step.
8. Boot your computer from the USB drive. The process for this varies a lot depending on the computer that you are using. Traditionally, you would open the BIOS menu and change the order of drives in the BOOT menu. Newer computers use UEFI instead of BIOS, which needs to be accessed in a special way if you're using Windows 8.
   • Reboot your computer and look for the BIOS or BOOT menu key when the manufacturer logo appears. Press this key to open the menu and change your boot order. The setup key is typically F2, F10, F11, or Del. Make sure that the USB drive is listed as the primary boot device.
   • If your computer boots directly into Windows 8 without showing the manufacturer logo, open the Charms bar (⊞ Win+C) and select "Settings". Click the "Change PC settings" option and then select "Update and recovery". Select the "Recovery" option and click "Restart now" under "Advanced Startup". In the boot menu, select "Troubleshoot" and then "Advanced options". Click the "UEFI Firmware Settings" to open your UEFI menu. You can then open the BOOT menu and change the order so that the USB drive is the primary drive.
9. Press a key to start the installation. You'll see a message on your screen prompting you to press a key to boot from "CD or DVD". This is correct, and will display if you've selected your USB drive as the primary boot device.
10. Select your language and input settings. Before Windows 10 installs, you'll be prompted to select your language and keyboard settings. The language that you install will be your default base language.
11. Click "Install now" to begin installation. The installation process will begin.
12. Skip the product key window if installing a computer that already upgraded. When prompted to enter a product key, click the "Skip" or "Do this later" option. After installation, Windows 10 will automatically check with Microsoft to see if the Windows 10 upgrade was activated for that computer. If you purchased a product key for Windows 10, enter it now.
13. Select "Custom" as the installation type. This will allow you to completely format the partition and install a fresh copy of Windows. Installing Windows this way will delete anything that is currently on the drive.
14. Select the hard drive partition that you want to install Windows on. If you're replacing an existing version of Windows, select the partition that it was on. It can be difficult to get multiple versions of Windows working together correctly, so it's recommended that you only have one version of Windows installed.
    • You can delete and extend existing partitions to create a new partition for your Windows installation. This will delete any data on the existing partitions.
    • It is recommended that you install Windows 10 on a partition at least 20 GB in size.
15. Proceed through the Windows installation. Most of the installation process is hands-off. You will be asked to set a few privacy options. Read each option carefully before moving on to the next screen. You can change these settings later from the Settings menu.
16. Start using Windows 10. After the installation process is complete, you'll be taken to your new Windows 10 desktop. Long-time Windows users will find things in familiar spots, but a lot has changed. Use-Windows-10.
    • If your screen is stretched or doesn't fit your monitor, you'll need to install drivers from your graphics card manufacturer. The three main manufacturers are Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. Refer to your computer's documentation to determine which company made your graphics card. Windows Update may be able to install these drivers for you, but it has the hardest time with graphics drivers.

Windows 8.1

1. Download the Media Creation Tool. Microsoft provides a free utility that will automatically download the Windows 8.1 installation files and create the USB drive for you. You can download the utility for free here.
   • If you already have a Windows 8.1 ISO file, follow the method in the next section.
2. 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.
3. 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. Click here for more details.
4. Select "USB flash drive". You will be prompted to choose which flash drive you want to use if you have multiple drives connected.
5. 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.
6. Insert the USB drive into the computer you want to install Windows 8.1 on. After the Media Creation Tool has finished creating the flash drive, it is ready to use to install Windows 8.1 Insert it into the USB drive of the computer you are installing Windows 8.1 on.
7. Set the computer to boot from the USB drive. This process will vary depending on the manufacturer of the computer. When you restart the computer, you'll see the BIOS or BOOT key on the screen with the manufacturer's logo. Press this key as the computer is starting up to open the BIOS menu and change the boot order. The setup key is typically F2, F10, F11, or Del.
   • Once you're in the BIOS, open the BOOT menu and change the order so that the USB drive is the primary boot device. This will ensure that the computer tries to boot from the USB device before it boots from the hard drive.
8. Press a key to start the Windows installation. You'll be prompted to press a key to boot from the USB drive (it may say CD or DVD) and begin the installation.
9. Choose your language and keyboard layout. The language you choose here will be the installed default language in Windows.
10. Enter your key. Windows 8.1 will prompt you for your product key before installation can begin. You must enter a valid Windows 8 or 8.1 key in order to proceed with the installation. If the key is in use by another computer, you won't be able to activate after installing.
11. Select the "Custom" installation option. This will allow you to install a fresh copy of Windows 8.1. If you choose to install over a partition that contains data, all of the data on the partition will be lost. It is recommended that you select this option if you are troubleshooting Windows, are upgrading from an older version to 8.1, or are installing on a new computer.
12. Select the partition that you want to install on. A list of your available partitions will be displayed. You can delete existing partitions and combine or separate your unallocated space. Deleting an existing partition will delete all of the data on it. If you're upgrading from a previous version of Windows, select the partition that Windows was installed on originally to replace it.
13. Wait for Windows to install. After selecting the partition, Windows will begin installation. This process usually takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.
14. Set your personalization options. After your computer reboots, Windows 8.1 will start and ask you to select your color scheme. You can also give your computer a name here, which is how it will appear on the network.
15. Set your privacy settings. Windows 8.1 will offer an express or custom option for your privacy settings. Review the first screen to see if there's anything you want to change. If there isn't, click "Use express settings". If you do want to change something, click "Customize" and follow the prompts.
16. Sign in with your Microsoft Account. Your Microsoft Account allows you to sync your files and settings with your other Windows devices. You'll need it to access your account's OneDrive storage. If you don't have an account, you can create one from here.
17. Start using Windows 8.1. You'll be taken to your new desktop once you're finished configuring your settings. You can now start using Windows 8.1. Use-Windows-8 for tips on getting the most out of Windows 8.1.

Windows 8, 7, and Vista

1. Obtain an ISO file of a Windows installation disc. If you have a Windows installation DVD, you can create the ISO file yourself. If you don't have the disc but have your product key, you can download the ISO directly from Microsoft [1] here. To create an ISO from your own DVD:
   • Download and install ImgBurn (imgburn.com). This is a free program that will allow you to create ISO files, but make sure to decline any offers while installing it.
   • After installing ImgBurn, insert your Windows DVD into your computer and start the program.
   • Select "Create image file from disc". Make sure that the drive containing your Windows disc is selected in the drop-down menu in the next window.
   • Click the folder icon to set a destination for the completed file. Give it a name to help you recognize it (i.e. "Windows7Home").
   • Click the big button in the bottom-left corner to begin creating the ISO file. This will likely take several minutes to complete. Avoid performing other tasks on the computer while the ISO file is being created.
2. Download the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. You can download it for free from wudt.codeplex.com/. It may be labeled "Windows 7", but will work for Windows 8 and Vista as well.
   • You'll need the .NET Framework files installed to use this tool. You can install them for free from msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa496123.
3. Insert a USB flash drive that you want to use. Make sure that it has at least 4 GB, and that you have saved any important files elsewhere. All of the data on the drive will be deleted.
4. Run the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. You'll be taken through four steps to create the bootable USB drive.
5. Select your ISO file. On the first screen, browse for your newly-created or downloaded ISO file.
6. Select "USB device" as the media type. This will format your USB drive and allow you to boot from it to install Windows. You'll be asked to select your USB flash drive from a drop-down menu. It will need to have at least 4 GB of storage.
7. Wait for the USB installation drive to be created. This will take a few minutes as the file is copied over and the drive is formatted properly.
8. Insert the USB drive into the computer you are installing Windows on and boot from it. Once the drive is complete, you can insert it into the computer you want to install Windows on and boot from it to start the installation. To boot from the USB drive, you'll need to open the BIOS or BOOT menu as your computer starts up. You'll see the key displayed on the screen with the manufacturer's logo when the computer starts. The setup key is typically F2, F10, F11, or Del.
   • In your BIOS menu, open the BOOT section and change the order so that the USB drive is the primary boot drive.
9. Press a key to start the installation. You'll see a message on your screen prompting you to press a key to boot from "CD or DVD". Although you're booting from the USB, the system thinks it's a DVD, press any key to start the installation process.
10. Select your language and region options. Before installation will begin, you'll need to select the language you want to install and the keyboard layout you want to use.
11. Enter your product key (Windows 8). If you are installing Windows 8, you will be prompted for your product key now. Other versions of Windows will prompt you for the key after installation.
12. Choose a "Custom" installation. This will allow you to wipe the drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. All of the data on the drive you install to will be deleted. It is recommended that you perform a custom, or "clean", installation whenever you're troubleshooting computer problems or upgrading to a new version of Windows.
13. Delete an existing partition. Most users will only want one version of Windows installed at a time. Select the partition that contained your old Windows installation and delete it. This will delete all of the data on the partition. If you're installing Windows on a new computer, you can use the Unallocated Space, or you can divide the drive up into new partitions and then select the one you want to install Windows on.
14. Wait for Windows to install. Windows will work for a while copying files and setting up Windows. You can leave it be, as this process usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
15. Create a user account. After installation is complete, you'll be prompted to create a user account for Windows. You can add additional users later from the Control Panel.
    • A password is optional but highly recommended, especially for laptops.
16. Enter your product key. You need a valid product key in order to install Windows. You'll need to enter the product key for the version of Windows that you are installing.
    • If you're upgrading from an older version of Windows to one of the versions in this method, you'll need a new product key. For example, if you are installing Windows 7 on a computer that used to have XP, you cannot use the XP key to activate Windows 7. You'll need to purchase a Windows 7 key from Microsoft or another retailer in order to install Windows 7.
17. Set your update preferences. It's recommended that you turn automatic updates on by selecting "Use recommended settings". This will ensure that your computer always has the latest security updates.
18. Start using Windows. After a few more screens, depending on the version of Windows you are installing, you'll be taken to your new desktop. You can start using Windows now, and it's recommended that you find and install the latest drivers for your hardware.

Related Articles

• Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive

Sources and Citations

See also

• Install Windows XP on a Windows Vista Computer
• Add an "Open With Notepad As Administrator" Shortcut to the Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows Vista
• Install Windows Vista Ultimate from a Vista Basic Installation Disk
• Bypass Windows Vista Activation
• Take a Screenshot with the Snipping Tool on Microsoft Windows
• Speed up Windows Vista
• Create Recovery Discs for Windows Vista in HP Recovery Manager
• Use Windows Photo Gallery
• Reinstall Vista
• Install Windows Vista

Read more ...

What links here

• Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive
• Speed up Your Laptop