How to Make a Windows 10 Bootable USB: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 14, 2025

Whether you’re planning to install Windows 10 on a new computer, fix a corrupted system, or perform a clean installation, creating a Windows 10 bootable USB is an essential skill. It’s one of the fastest, most reliable, and easiest ways to install or repair your operating system — no DVDs required.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to make a Windows 10 bootable USB step-by-step, using official Microsoft tools and alternative methods. Even if you’ve never done this before, don’t worry — we’ll make it simple and beginner-friendly.

What Is a Bootable USB?

A bootable USB is a flash drive that contains the necessary installation files for Windows 10 and allows your computer to boot directly from the USB instead of your hard drive.

Think of it as a portable Windows installer. When your PC starts up, it can load the Windows setup files from the USB drive, even if there’s no operating system currently installed.

🔍 Why You Need a Bootable USB Drive

A Windows 10 bootable USB can be used for multiple purposes, such as:

  • Installing Windows 10 on a new or reformatted computer

  • Repairing system startup issues

  • Reinstalling Windows for performance improvement

  • Recovering data or accessing advanced troubleshooting tools

Compared to DVDs, bootable USBs are faster, reusable, and more convenient — perfect for modern PCs that lack optical drives.

⚙️ System Requirements for Windows 10 Installation

Before you create a bootable USB, make sure your PC meets the basic system requirements for Windows 10:

Component Minimum Requirement
Processor (CPU) 1 GHz or faster
RAM 1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Storage 20 GB of free space
Graphics Card DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
Display 800×600 resolution or higher
USB Drive Minimum 8 GB capacity

💬 Tip: Use a USB 3.0 flash drive for faster setup speed.

🧰 What You’ll Need Before You Start

Here’s a quick checklist of what you’ll need:

✅ A USB flash drive (8GB or larger)
✅ A stable internet connection
✅ A Windows 10 ISO file or Media Creation Tool
✅ A Windows PC to create the bootable USB

🪄 Step 1: Download the Windows 10 ISO File

The ISO file is a digital image of the Windows 10 installation disc. Microsoft offers a free, official download.

To Download the ISO:

  1. Go to Microsoft’s official website: Windows 10 Download Page.

  2. Click Download tool now to get the Media Creation Tool.

  3. Alternatively, if you want just the ISO, scroll down and choose Download Windows 10 Disk Image (ISO file).

  4. Select your edition and language, then download the file.

💡 Note: Always download from Microsoft’s official site — avoid third-party sources to prevent malware or corrupted files.

⚙️ Step 2: Download the Windows Media Creation Tool

Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool is the easiest way to create a bootable Windows 10 USB.

How to Download:

  1. Visit the same Microsoft page as above.

  2. Click Download tool now.

  3. Once downloaded, double-click the file MediaCreationTool.exe to launch it.

This official tool automatically downloads the latest version of Windows 10 and writes it to your USB drive.

💽 Step 3: Create a Bootable USB Using the Media Creation Tool

Now let’s make your USB drive bootable.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Insert your USB flash drive into your computer.

  2. Open the Media Creation Tool.

  3. Accept the license terms.

  4. Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC → click Next.

  5. Select your preferred Language, Edition, and Architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) → click Next.

  6. Choose USB flash drive as the media to use → click Next.

  7. Select your USB drive from the list → click Next.

The tool will start downloading Windows 10 and automatically create the bootable USB.
This may take 15–30 minutes, depending on your internet speed.

Once complete, you’ll see a message:

“Your USB flash drive is ready.”

🎉 Congratulations — you now have a Windows 10 bootable USB ready to use!

💡 Alternative Method: Use Rufus to Create a Bootable USB

If you prefer more control or already have a Windows 10 ISO, you can use Rufus, a lightweight third-party tool.

Step-by-Step Guide with Rufus:

  1. Download Rufus from rufus.ie.

  2. Plug in your USB flash drive.

  3. Open Rufus (no installation needed).

  4. Under Device, select your USB drive.

  5. Under Boot selection, click SELECT → choose your downloaded Windows 10 ISO file.

  6. Choose the correct Partition scheme (see next section).

  7. Leave File system as NTFS (default).

  8. Click Start → confirm when prompted.

Rufus will format the USB and copy all the necessary files.
Once it says READY, your bootable USB is complete.

🧩 Choosing the Right Partition Scheme: MBR vs GPT

Selecting the correct partition type is critical — it determines whether your PC can boot properly from the USB.

Partition Scheme Works With BIOS Mode
MBR (Master Boot Record) Older PCs Legacy BIOS
GPT (GUID Partition Table) Modern PCs UEFI

How to Check Your BIOS Type:

  1. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.

  2. Look for BIOS Mode:

    • If it says UEFI, choose GPT.

    • If it says Legacy, choose MBR.

💬 Using the wrong partition type can prevent your PC from booting correctly.

💻 How to Boot From a Windows 10 USB Drive

Once your bootable USB is ready, you’ll use it to install or repair Windows 10.

Here’s How:

  1. Insert the USB into your PC.

  2. Restart your computer.

  3. As it boots, press the BIOS key (usually F2, F12, Delete, or Esc).

  4. Enter the Boot Menu and select your USB drive as the boot device.

  5. The Windows Setup screen will appear.

Now, you can choose to install, repair, or reinstall Windows 10.

⚠️ Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Error Cause Solution
USB not detected Faulty port or drive Try a different USB port or drive
“Windows cannot be installed on this disk” Wrong partition scheme Switch between MBR and GPT
ISO file corrupted Incomplete download Re-download ISO from Microsoft
Boot loop issue Wrong boot order Reset BIOS boot order to USB first

🧠 Tips for a Successful Windows Installation

  • Backup your data before reinstalling Windows

  • Use a USB 3.0 port for faster setup

  • Disconnect unnecessary peripherals (like extra drives or printers)

  • Always download the latest ISO version

  • Keep your product key handy if needed for activation

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make a Windows 10 bootable USB on a Mac?

Yes. You can use tools like UNetbootin or Terminal commands on macOS to create a Windows bootable USB.

2. How big should my USB drive be?

At least 8 GB — but 16 GB or more is recommended for future updates.

3. Can I reuse my bootable USB?

Yes, you can reformat and use it again for other purposes or future installations.

4. Do I need a product key to install Windows 10?

You can install Windows 10 without a key, but you’ll need one to activate it later for full features.

5. Is Rufus safe to use?

Absolutely. Rufus is a trusted, open-source tool widely used by IT professionals and home users alike.

📋 Key Takeaways

Step Action Description
1 Download ISO Get official Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft
2 Get Media Creation Tool Use Microsoft’s tool to create bootable USB
3 Choose Partition Scheme MBR for Legacy, GPT for UEFI
4 Boot from USB Install or repair Windows 10 easily

🏁 Conclusion

Creating a Windows 10 bootable USB is one of the most useful things you can do as a Windows user. It’s your go-to solution for system crashes, installations, and troubleshooting — all packed into one handy flash drive.

By following this step-by-step guide, you now know how to use both Microsoft’s official Media Creation Tool and the versatile Rufus method. With your bootable USB ready, you can install or repair Windows 10 anytime, anywhere.

💬 Final Tip: Keep your bootable USB in a safe place — it’s your lifeline when your system fails unexpectedly.

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