Have you ever needed to reinstall Windows 10 or install it on a new computer, only to realize you don’t have a DVD drive? The good news is — you don’t need one! You can easily create a Windows 10 bootable USB drive using just a few simple tools.
A bootable USB is the fastest and most convenient way to install or repair Windows 10. Whether you’re upgrading, building a new PC, or troubleshooting a system that won’t start, this guide will walk you through exactly how to make a Windows 10 bootable USB drive — step by step.
What Is a Bootable USB Drive?
A bootable USB drive is a USB flash drive that contains an operating system (OS) installation image — in this case, Windows 10 — and is configured to start (or “boot”) your PC.
When you insert a bootable USB into your computer and power it on, your PC reads the files from the USB and allows you to install or repair the operating system, even if no OS is currently installed.
Think of it as your digital rescue tool — it lets you bring a dead or corrupted system back to life.
Why Create a Windows 10 Bootable USB?
There are several reasons why you might want to make a bootable USB drive for Windows 10:
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💾 Install Windows 10 on a new computer without an optical drive.
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⚙️ Reinstall Windows 10 after a system crash or corruption.
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🧰 Repair startup issues using advanced recovery tools.
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🚀 Upgrade from an older version like Windows 7 or 8.1.
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💡 Portable installation tool — handy for technicians or IT professionals.
The process is fast, free, and straightforward once you have the right tools.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 💽 Windows 10 ISO file | You can download it officially from Microsoft’s website. |
| 🔌 USB flash drive | Minimum 8GB (16GB recommended). All data on it will be erased. |
| 🖥️ Windows PC | To download tools and create the bootable USB. |
| 🌐 Internet connection | For downloading Windows and updates. |
Option 1: Create a Windows 10 Bootable USB Using the Media Creation Tool
The easiest and most reliable way to make a Windows 10 bootable USB is by using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
Here’s how to do it step by step:
Step 1: Download the Media Creation Tool
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Visit Microsoft’s official page: Download Windows 10.
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Click “Download tool now” under Create Windows 10 installation media.
Step 2: Run the Tool
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Once downloaded, open the file
MediaCreationTool.exe. -
Accept the license terms.
Step 3: Choose “Create installation media”
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Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file).
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Click Next.
Step 4: Choose Language, Edition, and Architecture
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Pick your preferred language, Windows 10 edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
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Usually, 64-bit is the right choice for modern PCs.
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Click Next.
Step 5: Select USB Flash Drive
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Choose USB flash drive as the media type.
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Plug in your USB and select it from the list.
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Click Next.
Step 6: Wait for the Process to Complete
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The tool will download Windows 10 and automatically create the bootable USB.
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This may take 15–30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
Step 7: Safely Remove the USB
Once done, you’ll see a message saying “Your USB flash drive is ready.”
Click Finish, and eject the USB safely.
✅ Congratulations — you now have a Windows 10 bootable USB ready for installation!
Option 2: Create a Bootable USB Using Rufus (Manual Method)
If you already have a Windows 10 ISO file, you can use a third-party tool called Rufus to create your bootable USB manually.
Step 1: Download Rufus
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Visit the official website: https://rufus.ie.
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Download and run the latest version — no installation required.
Step 2: Plug in Your USB Drive
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Insert your USB flash drive (8GB or more).
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Back up any important data because Rufus will erase the drive.
Step 3: Configure Rufus Settings
In the Rufus main window, set the following:
| Option | Recommended Setting |
|---|---|
| Device | Your USB drive |
| Boot selection | Choose Disk or ISO image |
| Select | Browse and choose your Windows 10 ISO file |
| Partition scheme | GPT (for UEFI) or MBR (for Legacy BIOS) |
| File system | NTFS or FAT32 (for older systems) |
Step 4: Start the Process
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Click Start.
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Rufus will warn you that all data will be deleted — click OK.
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Wait for it to finish (usually 10–20 minutes).
Step 5: Verify the USB
Once the status says READY, your bootable Windows 10 USB drive is complete.
You can now use it to install or repair Windows on any compatible computer.
How to Boot from the USB Drive
Creating the bootable USB is just step one. To use it, you’ll need to boot your computer from the USB drive instead of the hard disk.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Insert the bootable USB into your computer.
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Restart your PC.
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Press the boot menu key during startup — usually F2, F12, Esc, or Del (depends on your PC brand).
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From the boot menu, select your USB drive.
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Press Enter.
Your PC will now load the Windows 10 setup from the USB drive.
💡 Tip: You can also change the boot order permanently from the BIOS/UEFI settings by setting USB as the first boot device.
How to Install Windows 10 from a Bootable USB
Once your PC boots from the USB, installing Windows 10 is simple.
Step-by-Step Installation:
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Select your language, time, and keyboard layout → Click Next.
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Click Install now.
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Enter your Windows product key, or skip if you plan to activate later.
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Accept the license terms → Click Next.
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Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
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Select the partition where you want to install Windows.
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You can delete old partitions for a clean install (make sure you’ve backed up data!).
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Click Next, and Windows installation will begin.
Once the process completes, your computer will restart several times. Then, you’ll go through the initial setup (language, account, Wi-Fi, etc.).
Common Issues and Fixes
Even simple processes can have hiccups. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:
| Issue | Possible Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| USB not detected | Faulty port or drive | Try another USB port or replace the drive |
| ISO file corrupted | Incomplete download | Re-download the ISO from Microsoft |
| Boot menu not showing USB | Secure Boot or Legacy mode conflict | Check BIOS settings (enable USB boot, disable Secure Boot) |
| “Windows cannot be installed on this disk” | Partition format mismatch | Convert between GPT and MBR using DiskPart |
Tips for a Smooth Windows 10 Installation
To make your installation process as seamless as possible:
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✅ Use a high-quality USB 3.0 drive for faster setup.
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✅ Keep your device plugged into power to avoid interruptions.
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✅ Backup important data before reinstalling Windows.
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✅ Disconnect external devices (printers, drives) to prevent driver conflicts.
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✅ Use the latest ISO version from Microsoft to ensure all updates are included.
FAQs
1. Can I use an 8GB USB for creating a Windows 10 bootable drive?
Yes, 8GB is the minimum requirement. However, using a 16GB USB is recommended for better reliability.
2. Is Rufus safe to use?
Yes. Rufus is a trusted, open-source tool widely used by professionals and IT experts.
3. Do I need a product key to install Windows 10?
You can skip the product key during installation and activate Windows later through Settings.
4. What’s the difference between GPT and MBR partition schemes?
GPT is used for modern UEFI-based systems, while MBR works with older BIOS-based systems.
5. Can I create a Windows 10 bootable USB on a Mac?
Yes, you can use tools like Boot Camp Assistant or UNetbootin on macOS to create one.
Summary – Key Takeaways
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Download the Windows 10 ISO or Media Creation Tool |
| 2. | Use Media Creation Tool or Rufus to make the USB bootable |
| 3. | Choose GPT for UEFI or MBR for Legacy BIOS |
| 4. | Boot from USB via BIOS/boot menu |
| 5. | Follow on-screen prompts to install Windows 10 |
✅ Final Thoughts
Learning how to create a Windows 10 bootable USB gives you the power to install, repair, or upgrade your PC anytime — without needing a DVD drive or professional help.
Whether you use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool for simplicity or Rufus for flexibility, the process is fast, free, and foolproof.
With your bootable USB ready, you can now install Windows 10 on any computer and keep it running smoothly whenever problems arise.