Use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool to create Windows 10 installation media directly on a USB flash drive. You’ll need a blank drive with at least 8 GB of capacity; the tool erases its contents. Afterward, start the target PC from the USB in the firmware mode that matches your installation plan and target disk.
Before you begin
- A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of capacity. Microsoft says creating the media deletes everything on the drive, so copy off any files you want to keep first. Microsoft’s Windows 10 download instructions specify this minimum.
- A working Windows PC with internet access to download and run the Media Creation Tool.
- A backup of important files on the PC where you plan to install or reinstall Windows. Installing Windows can affect data on the target computer; Microsoft advises backing up before proceeding. Microsoft’s installation-media guidance covers this precaution.
Create the USB with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool
This is the official direct-to-USB route. The tool downloads Windows 10 installation files and writes the installation media to the selected flash drive; copying an ISO file onto a USB is not the workflow described by Microsoft.
- On a Windows PC, open Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page and download the Media Creation Tool.
- Run the tool as an administrator and accept its license terms.
- When asked what you want to do, choose Create installation media for another PC.
- Select the language, edition, and architecture for the installation media, then continue.
- Choose USB flash drive, connect the blank USB drive, and select it from the list. Check the drive carefully: its contents will be deleted.
- Let the tool download and create the media. When it finishes, safely eject the USB drive.
Use an ISO instead when you need an alternate workflow
The Media Creation Tool also offers an ISO-file option. Choose ISO file instead of USB flash drive if you need to save the image for another media workflow. An ISO saved to a PC is not itself a bootable USB; the Windows 10 download instructions describe these as separate choices. This article does not assume that simply copying the ISO onto a flash drive will make it bootable.
Choose UEFI or Legacy BIOS on the target PC
UEFI and Legacy BIOS are firmware boot modes. Microsoft generally recommends UEFI for installing Windows because it includes more security features than Legacy BIOS. The target PC must support the mode you choose, and Windows Setup’s boot mode must work with the partition style of the disk where Windows will be installed.
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| Boot choice | What to check | Practical guidance |
|---|---|---|
| UEFI | The PC offers UEFI boot, and the target disk layout is compatible with installing Windows in UEFI mode. | Usually the preferred choice for a new installation. Boot the USB entry marked UEFI when the firmware presents separate entries. |
| Legacy BIOS compatibility | The PC offers Legacy BIOS or compatibility support, and the target disk layout is compatible with that mode. | Use when required by the PC or the installation plan. Do not assume that changing firmware mode alone will make an existing disk layout suitable. |
Microsoft’s boot-mode documentation describes the separate UEFI and Legacy BIOS paths. Its MBR/GPT installation guidance explains that the mode used to start Windows Setup and the target disk’s partition style need to be compatible. Avoid reducing this to an unconditional rule that every UEFI installation must use GPT or every Legacy installation must use MBR: check Microsoft’s guidance for the situation and the computer maker’s instructions.
Start the target PC from the USB
- Insert the installation USB into the target PC, then restart or power it on.
- Open the PC’s one-time boot menu and select the USB device. The key varies by manufacturer; consult the computer’s documentation for the key and available boot entries.
- If the menu lists the USB twice, select the entry matching your intended mode, such as UEFI. If there is no one-time menu or the USB does not appear, open firmware setup and change the boot order or check the available boot settings.
- Confirm that Windows Setup starts. Before changing partitions or formatting a disk, verify that the selected mode is appropriate for the intended target disk and that important files are backed up.
Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page advises using the boot menu or changing boot order in BIOS/UEFI if the PC does not start from the USB automatically.
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If Windows Setup will not install to the target disk
A firmware-mode and disk-layout mismatch can prevent Setup from installing as intended. Stop before deleting or reformatting partitions: reformatting erases the selected disk. Review Microsoft’s partition-style instructions and confirm that the USB was started in the mode you intend to use.
If a disk needs conversion, Microsoft documents MBR2GPT as an option for converting a disk from MBR to GPT. Conversion is not a substitute for checking the target PC’s firmware support and following the documented prerequisites. Reformatting is another possible route but erases the selected disk, so back up first. Consult the computer manufacturer’s instructions before changing firmware settings.
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