How to create bootable USB media from ISO for Windows 10

How to create bootable USB media from ISO for Windows 10

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While most of us may have reserved a copy of the free Windows 10 upgrade for our computers, there may be some who may want to go for a clean install, using a Windows 10 ISO image. In this post, we will see how to download the ISO image, burn it to a USB drive and create a bootable USB media from ISO for Windows 10 installation.

First of all, you will have to download it from its official link at Microsoft. The latest version available as of date is Insider Preview Build 10130, available here. We will update this link once the final version is released

Create bookable USB media from ISO for Windows 10

Once you have done this, you can use it to create a bootable USB or Flash Drive. To do this, you will have to take help of some software like Windows USB/DVD Download Tool, Rufus, ABUSB, ESET SysRescue Live, WinToFlash, Windows USB Installer Maker or Windows Installation Media Creation Tool.

In this post, I am using Rufus as an example. It also offers a portable version, which I have used. After you have downloaded this freeware, insert your USB and then click on Rufus to open its main window. Do note that, you will require a 4 GB USB for the 32-bit version and a 8 GB for the 64-bit version of Windows 10.

You may give a New volume label and browse to the location of your downloaded Windows 10 ISO image. To browse to the location, under Format Options, you will see Create a bootable disk using option. Click on the small icon on the right side and browse to the folder, and select the ISO file.

The rest of the options, you may leave at their default values. When you use MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI, under Partition scheme and target system type, the bootable USB will be suitable for devices using BIOS as well as UEFI.

Once you have done this, simply click on Start and wait for the process to get over. Remember that when you click Start, all data preset on this USB will be deleted, so if you need to, you may back up your data first before using it.

Once the process is completed, you will have a bootable Windows 10 installation USB media in your hands, which you can use to install Windows 10. If you feel the need, you may check if the USB is bootable.

You can also use the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to create Installation media.

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