Before you begin: Back up important data if you can, read through the whole guide first, and stop if the repair starts feeling outside your comfort level.
Skill level: Advanced
Risk level: High (full data wipe on target drive)
Tools needed: 8GB+ USB drive, Windows Media Creation Tool, working internet connection
Last reviewed: April 2026
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Installing Windows 10 or 11 from a USB drive is a straightforward process. Before you begin, make sure you have a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage.

This guide includes two sets of instructions: basic and advanced. Most people will find the basic instructions sufficient, but if you need more detail, feel free to explore the advanced sections.

Basic Install Instructions

Create a UEFI-bootable USB drive

  1. Download the Windows 10 or Windows 11 Media Creation Tool directly from the Microsoft website.
  2. Run the Media Creation Tool.
  3. Read and accept the license terms, then click Next.
  4. Leave the Use the recommended options for this PC box checked, then click Next.
  5. Select USB flash drive when asked to choose which media to use, then click Next.
  6. Choose the correct USB drive from the list.
WARNING: THIS ACTION WILL FORMAT ALL THE DATA ON THE SELECTED DRIVE. ENSURE YOU HAVE SELECTED THE CORRECT ONE AND HAVE THE DATA BACKED UP BEFORE CONTINUING.
  1. Click Next, and the tool will download and create a bootable Windows USB drive.

Prepare your computer

  1. Turn off your computer.
  2. Ensure the installer USB and the drive you are going to install Windows on are installed in the PC.
  3. Unplug all other HDDs, SSDs, or USB Drives from your PC to prevent accidentally formatting them.
  4. To bring up the boot menu, press the appropriate function key immediately after turning the PC back on. Refer to the table below.
ManufacturerBoot Menu Hotkey(s)
AcerF12, F9, F2, ESC
ASUSF8, ESC
DellF12
HPF9, ESC
LenovoF12, Novo Button, F8, F10
SonyF11, F12, ESC, F8
SamsungESC, F12, F2
ToshibaF12
AppleHold Option key
IntelF10
MSIF11
GigabyteF12
FujitsuF12, F2
  1. In the boot menu, select your USB drive and press Enter.

Install Windows

  1. Wait for the Windows setup screen to appear.
  2. If prompted, select the appropriate language, time/currency format, and input method, then click Next.
  3. Click Install now.
  4. If you have the license key or have the sticker, enter it now. If not, click on I don't have a product key to continue.

You can enter the key later, after installation.

  1. Choose the Windows edition you want to install and click Next.
  2. Read and accept the license terms, then click Next.
  3. Select the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.
  4. Locate the target drive where you wish to install Windows.

Generally, only two drives will be displayed: the USB and your target disk. The target disk may show 2-3 partitions. If the target is a new drive or you've cleaned it using diskpart, it'll be the one with the most unallocated space.

  1. On the target drive, select each partition one by one and click Delete. Continue until only the USB drive and unallocated space remain.
WARNING: THIS ACTION WILL FORMAT ALL THE DATA ON THE SELECTED DRIVE. ENSURE YOU HAVE SELECTED THE CORRECT ONE AND HAVE THE DATA BACKED UP BEFORE CONTINUING.
  1. Click Next and the installation process will begin. Your computer may restart several times. Be patient.

Complete the Setup

  1. After the installation, Windows will guide you through the setup process.
  2. Customize your settings, connect to Wi-Fi, and create or sign in with a Microsoft account.

Logging in with a Microsoft account is the best way to store a digital license key for Windows on your account.

  1. After setup has been completed and the system has rebooted, you'll be at the Windows desktop.

Install Drivers and Updates

  1. Connect to the internet, if you haven't already.
  2. Use Windows Update to install any necessary drivers for your computer's hardware.

If the drivers for Wi-Fi/Ethernet aren't loading, you may have to visit the manufacturer's support website for the motherboard model and download applicable drivers.

  1. Check for Windows updates by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and clicking Check for updates. Install any available updates.

Your Windows installation is now complete. You can remove the USB drive and start using your computer.

Custom Install Procedures

Using Rufus to Make a USB Bootable

  1. Download the Windows 10 or Windows 11 Media Creation Tool.
  2. Run the Media Creation Tool as administrator and accept the license terms.
  3. Choose Use the recommended options for this computer and click Next.
  4. Select ISO file and click Next.
  5. Choose a location to save the ISO.
  6. Download and run Rufus.
  7. For Device at the top, choose the USB drive you want to use.
WARNING: THIS ACTION WILL FORMAT ALL THE DATA ON THE SELECTED DRIVE.
  1. Click on the SELECT button to open the file manager and select the newly created ISO.
  2. Ensure the partition scheme is GPT for UEFI systems or MBR for BIOS systems.
  3. Click Start to continue. You may have pop-ups that require acknowledgment.
  4. The next step is to prepare your computer (see above).

Using Diskpart to Clean Drive

You must have completed up to but not started Install Windows to proceed with this section.

  1. Wait for the Windows setup screen to appear.
  2. Press SHIFT + F10 keys. A command prompt window will open.
  3. Enter the following commands, pressing Enter after each line:
diskpart
list disk
IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE THAT DISK 0 IS THE CORRECT DISK TO CLEAN. THIS ACTION IS IRREVERSIBLE.
select disk 0
clean
convert gpt
create part efi size=260
format fs=fat32 quick label=System
create part msr size=16
create part pri
shrink minimum=500
format fs=ntfs quick label=Windows
create part pri
format fs=ntfs quick label=Recovery
set id="de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac"
gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001
list volume
exit
  1. You may close the command prompt window and continue the installation at the Install Windows section above.

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