How to Install Windows 10 from a Bootable USB Stick - Step-by-Step Guide

What You Need for the Installation

Installing Windows 10 from a bootable USB stick is a simple and effective way to upgrade or install a fresh copy of Windows. Before you begin, here’s what you need:

• A USB stick with at least 8GB of space.
• A working computer with an internet connection.
• A copy of the Windows 10 ISO file, which you can download from the official Microsoft website.
• A tool to create the bootable USB stick, such as the Windows Media Creation Tool or third-party software like Rufus.

Once you’ve gathered all the required materials, you’re ready to start the installation process!

Creating a Bootable USB Stick

The first step in installing Windows 10 from a bootable USB stick is to create the bootable drive. This is where the Windows Media Creation Tool comes in handy. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and launch the Windows Media Creation Tool.
2. Choose "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC."
3. Pick the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for your Windows 10 installation.
4. Select “USB flash drive” and choose the correct drive letter corresponding to your USB stick.
5. Allow the tool to download the necessary files and create the bootable USB stick. This process may take some time depending on your internet speed.

Alternatively, you can use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB stick manually if you prefer more control over the process.

Booting from the USB Stick

Once the bootable USB stick is ready, it’s time to boot your computer from the USB. Here’s how to do it:

1. Insert the bootable USB stick into a USB port on your computer.
2. Restart your computer and immediately press the designated key to access the BIOS or boot menu (this is usually F2, F12, or Esc depending on your PC).
3. In the BIOS or boot menu, select your USB drive as the primary boot device and save your settings.
4. Your computer should now boot from the USB stick and the Windows 10 installation process will begin.

Be sure to back up your files before proceeding, as installing Windows will erase everything on the drive you’re installing it to.

Installing Windows 10

With the computer now booted from the USB, the installation process begins. Here’s what to expect:

1. Select your language, time, and keyboard preferences.
2. Click "Install Now" to begin the installation.
3. Enter your product key or choose to skip it if you’re reinstalling Windows 10 (Windows will ask for the key later).
4. Select the partition where you want to install Windows. If you’re doing a fresh installation, you can delete the existing partition and create a new one.
5. Click "Next" and let Windows install. This may take some time depending on your hardware.

Once the installation is complete, your computer will restart and the setup process will continue. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your Windows 10 environment, including user accounts and privacy settings.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you run into any issues during the installation, here are some helpful troubleshooting tips:

• If the installation process fails to start, double-check that the USB stick is properly created and the BIOS is set to boot from the USB.
• If you encounter errors during installation, try unplugging any unnecessary peripherals, such as external hard drives or printers, and then attempt the installation again.
• If the USB is not recognized, try using a different USB port or re-creating the bootable USB stick.

For more in-depth troubleshooting or if you continue to have problems, visit the official Ninja Stik website for additional resources and support.