Installing Windows using a USB drive can be a lifesaver, especially when you don’t have access to a CD/DVD drive or when you want to install the latest version of the operating system. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of installing Windows using a USB drive, complete with images that will help you follow along easily. Let’s get started!

Prerequisites:

Before we begin, here are a few things you’ll need:

  1. A desktop or laptop computer.
  2. Windows ISO file: Make sure you have downloaded the Windows ISO file for the version you want to install.
  3. USB Drive: Select a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space. Ensure it doesn’t have any important files, as all data will be erased during the installation process.
  4. Rufus: Download and install Rufus, a free and lightweight tool used for creating bootable USB drives. You can find it at https://rufus.ie/.

Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive

  1. Connect the USB drive to your computer.
  2. Launch Rufus, and you should see the USB drive listed in the
  3. “Device” dropdown menu. Select it.

Step 2: Select the Windows ISO File

  1. Click the “Select” button next to the “Boot Selection” field.
  2. Navigate to the location where you have saved the Windows ISO file and select it.
  3. Check that the “Partition scheme” is set to “MBR” (if your computer has BIOS firmware) or “GPT” (if your computer has UEFI firmware).
  4. Leave the “File system” as “FAT32” and the “Cluster size” as “Default”.

Step 3: Start the USB Creation Process

  1. Click on the “Start” button to begin creating the bootable USB drive.
  2. You will see a warning message that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. If you have any important files on the drive, make sure to back them up before proceeding.
  3. Rufus will now format your USB drive and extract the contents of the Windows ISO file onto it. This process may take a few minutes.

Step 4: Booting from the USB Drive

  1. Once Rufus has finished creating the bootable USB drive, close the program.
  2. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing the specified key during the boot process. The key to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings varies depending on your computer manufacturer. Common keys include F2, F10, Delete, or Escape.
  3. In the BIOS or UEFI settings, look for the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section and set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
  4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings. Your computer will now restart.

Step 5: Installing Windows

  1. As your computer restarts, it should boot from the USB drive.
  2. The Windows installation process will begin. Follow the on-screen instructions to select the language, time zone, and keyboard layout.
  3. On the next screen, click on “Install Now” to start the installation.
  4. Enter your Windows product key if prompted.
  5. Accept the license terms and click “Next”.
  6. On the next screen, select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.
  7. Choose the partition where you want to install Windows. If there are no partitions, click on “New” to create one.
  8. Select the newly created partition and click “Next”.
  9. Windows will now begin the installation process. This may take some time, so be patient as the files are copied and the system is configured.
  10. Once the installation is complete, your computer will restart.
  11. Follow the on-screen prompts to personalize your Windows settings, such as creating a username and password.
  12. After the setup process is finished, you will be greeted with the Windows desktop.

Conclusion:

  1. Congratulations! You have successfully installed Windows using a USB drive. Being able to install Windows using a USB drive provides convenience, especially when dealing with devices without CD/DVD drives or when you want to use the latest Windows version. Just make sure to follow the steps carefully, and you’ll have a fresh installation of Windows up and running in no time. Enjoy your new operating system!

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