Install Windows 10
Install Windows 10: a reader asks…
I’m about to build my next computer, and will need to install Windows 10 on it. Can you tell me the best way to go about this?
I previously wrote about this in my article Win10 Recovery USB. The same process for creating a recovery USB thumbdrive is used to create a Windows install thumbdrive (it’s really the same thing). Basically, you’re going to get a thumbdrive, download an app, then run the app to setup the thumbdrive as a boot drive with everything needed to install Windows 10 on a computer’s hard drive.
First, you need to obtain a blank thumbdrive (or reuse one you already have). You can buy these almost anywhere, and I suggest you get one that’s both USB 3.0 (with the blue wafer inside the plug), and is at least 8gb in size (16gb would be safest). If you already have a thumbdrive, you don’t need to worry about erasing it beforehand as the Media Creation Tool (see below) will take care of that for you.
In a computer that’s currently running Windows, insert the thumbdrive. Wait a few seconds for it to be recognized, and then:
Click this link: MediaCreation Tool to download the app that will format and create the installation thumbdrive- Double-click the file you downloaded to run the program.
- Accept the EULA and then choose the option to create installation media for another PC. The next screen should be pre-selected for your system, so just click the Next button and it will create your thumbdrive.
Click this link: When you’ve finished, you should label the thumbdrive and put it someplace safe, so you don’t accidentally use it for something else. One last thing to remember, this thumbdrive will install Windows 10 on a compatible computer, but does not include an activation key. You’ll still need to buy a license key to run Windows 10 legally.
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Author: Chris Gardner
Your Tech Coach at PosiTek.net
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