Creating a Bootable USB Drive for Installing Windows 10 via Rufus
In today’s digital age, having a reliable way to install Windows on a new computer is crucial. One popular method to achieve this without downloading the operating system is by creating a bootable USB drive using Rufus. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a bootable Windows 10 installation from an ISO file.
What You Need:
– A computer with internet access
– Rufus (Download Rufus from [www.rufus.exe](http://www.rufus.exe))
– An ISO image of the Windows 10 you want to install (you can download it from Microsoft’s official website)
– A blank USB drive (at least 4GB in size)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Download Rufus: If you haven’t already, download Rufus from its official website.
Launch Rufus and Set Up the Drive: Open Rufus and set the USB drive as the boot device. Click on “Start” and select your computer’s port (usually the primary IDE or SATA port). Then, click “Next” to continue.
Select ISO File: In the next step, you’ll be prompted to choose the ISO file of Windows 10 that you want to install. Select it from your system’s desktop or any other accessible location where the file is stored.
Browse for Additional Files (Optional): If you need additional files like drivers, you can browse and add them manually here.
Format the USB Drive: Choose a format type as “Quick Format” if desired. This option will wipe all data on the drive before creating the bootable installation media.
Write the Boot Sector: Click Start to begin writing the ISO file. Rufus will scan for any existing partitions and identify them, then proceed with writing the image onto the USB drive.
Verify Booting from the USB Drive: After completion, verify that your computer boots from the USB drive by selecting it in Rufus during the boot process. If everything is set up correctly, you’ll see a bootable installation of Windows 10 on your new USB drive.
Install Windows 10: Once you’ve successfully created a bootable USB drive for Windows 10, you can install the operating system using the built-in Installation Media option in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings (Windows 10 defaults to UEFI, but this may vary based on your computer manufacturer).