A bootable USB drive allows you to install or reinstall Windows 10 or 11 on a computer. This guide will walk you through the steps using the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool.
Before you begin:
Back up your important files: Creating a bootable USB drive will erase any data on the chosen drive.
USB drive requirements:
Minimum 8GB of storage space.
Blank USB drive recommended (existing data will be erased).
Internet connection: Required to download the Windows installation files.
Instructions:
Download the Media Creation Tool:
Visit the Microsoft software download website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2021-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658
Select your desired Windows version (10 or 11).
Click the "Download now" button for the Media Creation Tool.
Run the Media Creation Tool:
Double-click the downloaded file (MediaCreationTool.exe) to launch the tool.
If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click "Yes" to allow the application to run.
Accept the License Terms:
Read the license terms carefully and click "Accept" to proceed.
Choose creation options:
Select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" and click "Next."
Select language, edition, and architecture:
Choose the language, edition (e.g., Home, Pro) of Windows you want to install, and the architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) that matches the target computer.
Unsure about the architecture? Choose 64-bit for most modern computers.
Click "Next" to continue.
Select media type:
Choose "USB flash drive" and click "Next."
Select the USB drive:
Ensure your USB drive is plugged in and select it from the list.
Click "Refresh drive list" if your drive doesn't appear.
Important: Creating the bootable media will erase all data on the selected drive.
Click "Next" to confirm.
Download and create the media:
The tool will download the Windows installation files and create the bootable USB drive. This process may take some time depending on your internet speed.
Finish:
Once complete, you'll see a message indicating the bootable USB drive is ready.
Click "Finish" to exit the tool.
Using your bootable USB drive:
Boot the target computer from the USB drive:
Insert the bootable USB drive into the target computer.
Restart the computer.
The boot sequence may vary depending on the computer model. You might need to press a specific key (e.g., F12, Del) during startup to access the boot menu and select the USB drive as the boot device. Consult your computer's manual for specific instructions.
Follow the on-screen instructions:
The Windows installation process will begin. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Additional notes:
This guide is for creating bootable media for Windows 10 and 11. The specific options and screens may vary slightly depending on the Windows version you choose.
For detailed information and troubleshooting steps, refer to the official Microsoft documentation: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d
By following these steps, you can successfully create a bootable USB drive and use it to install or reinstall Windows 10 or 11 on your computer.
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