Are you tired of dealing with a non-bootable Windows 10 installation DVD or CD? Do you want to create a bootable USB drive from another USB to install or repair your Windows 10 operating system? Look no further. In this article, we will walk you through the process of creating a Windows 10 bootable USB from another USB drive.
Why Create a Bootable USB Drive?
Before we dive into the process, let’s discuss why creating a bootable USB drive is a good idea. Here are a few reasons:
- Convenience: A bootable USB drive is more convenient than a DVD or CD, as it is smaller, faster, and more portable.
- Reliability: USB drives are less prone to damage than DVDs or CDs, making them a more reliable option for installing or repairing your operating system.
- Speed: USB drives are generally faster than DVDs or CDs, which means you can install or repair your operating system more quickly.
Requirements for Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Before you start creating a bootable USB drive, make sure you have the following requirements:
- A Windows 10 ISO file: You can download the Windows 10 ISO file from the official Microsoft website.
- A USB drive with at least 8GB of free space: The USB drive should have enough free space to hold the Windows 10 installation files.
- A computer with a working internet connection: You will need a computer with a working internet connection to download the Windows 10 ISO file and to create the bootable USB drive.
Downloading the Windows 10 ISO File
To download the Windows 10 ISO file, follow these steps:
- Go to the official Microsoft website and click on the “Download” button.
- Select the Windows 10 version you want to download (e.g., Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, etc.).
- Choose the language and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of the ISO file.
- Click on the “Download” button to start the download process.
Preparing the USB Drive
Before you create the bootable USB drive, make sure the USB drive is properly prepared. Here’s how:
- Insert the USB drive into a free USB port on your computer.
- Open the “Disk Management” tool on your computer. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “diskmgmt.msc” in the Run dialog box.
- In the Disk Management tool, find the USB drive and right-click on it.
- Select “Format” from the context menu.
- In the Format dialog box, select the file system (e.g., NTFS, FAT32, etc.) and allocation unit size.
- Click on the “Format” button to start the formatting process.
Creating the Bootable USB Drive
Now that you have the Windows 10 ISO file and the USB drive is prepared, you can create the bootable USB drive. Here’s how:
Method 1: Using the Media Creation Tool
The Media Creation Tool is a free tool provided by Microsoft that allows you to create a bootable USB drive from a Windows 10 ISO file. Here’s how to use it:
- Download the Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website.
- Run the Media Creation Tool on your computer.
- Accept the terms and conditions of the tool.
- Select the USB drive as the installation media.
- Choose the Windows 10 version and language.
- Click on the “Create” button to start the creation process.
Method 2: Using Rufus
Rufus is a free, open-source tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive from a Windows 10 ISO file. Here’s how to use it:
- Download Rufus from the official website.
- Run Rufus on your computer.
- Select the USB drive as the device.
- Choose the Windows 10 ISO file as the boot selection.
- Click on the “Start” button to start the creation process.
Method 3: Using the Command Prompt
You can also create a bootable USB drive using the Command Prompt. Here’s how:
- Open the Command Prompt on your computer. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “cmd” in the Run dialog box.
- Insert the USB drive into a free USB port on your computer.
- Type the following command to list the disk drives:
diskpart - Type the following command to select the USB drive:
select disk 1(replace “1” with the number of the USB drive) - Type the following command to clean the USB drive:
clean - Type the following command to create a primary partition:
create partition primary - Type the following command to select the primary partition:
select partition 1 - Type the following command to format the primary partition:
format fs=fat32 quick - Type the following command to assign a drive letter to the USB drive:
assign letter=z(replace “z” with the drive letter you want to assign) - Type the following command to copy the Windows 10 installation files to the USB drive:
xcopy d:\*.* z:\ /s /e /f(replace “d:” with the drive letter of the Windows 10 ISO file and “z:” with the drive letter of the USB drive)
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues during the creation process, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- USB drive not recognized: Make sure the USB drive is properly inserted into a free USB port on your computer.
- Windows 10 ISO file not found: Make sure the Windows 10 ISO file is properly downloaded and saved on your computer.
- Bootable USB drive not working: Make sure the bootable USB drive is properly created and that the USB drive is set as the first boot device in the BIOS settings.
Conclusion
Creating a bootable USB drive from another USB drive is a convenient and reliable way to install or repair your Windows 10 operating system. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a bootable USB drive using the Media Creation Tool, Rufus, or the Command Prompt. Remember to troubleshoot any common issues that may arise during the creation process.
What is a bootable USB and why do I need it?
A bootable USB is a USB drive that contains the necessary files to boot up a computer. It is essentially a portable version of a Windows installation disc. You need a bootable USB to install or reinstall Windows on your computer, or to troubleshoot and repair your existing Windows installation.
Having a bootable USB can be very useful in case your computer’s hard drive fails or you need to perform a clean install of Windows. It can also be used to boot up a computer that does not have a CD or DVD drive. Additionally, a bootable USB can be used to create a backup of your important files and settings.
What are the system requirements for creating a bootable USB from another USB?
To create a bootable USB from another USB, you need a computer with a working Windows installation, a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space, and another USB drive that contains the Windows installation files. Your computer should also have a USB port to connect the USB drives.
Additionally, your computer should meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 10, including a 64-bit processor, 2GB of RAM, and 20GB of free disk space. You should also have a valid product key for Windows 10 to activate the operating system after installation.
What type of USB drive do I need to create a bootable USB?
To create a bootable USB, you need a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space. The USB drive should be empty or have enough free space to hold the Windows installation files. You can use a USB flash drive, a USB hard drive, or a USB solid-state drive (SSD).
It’s recommended to use a USB drive with a fast read and write speed to speed up the boot process. You should also use a USB drive that is compatible with your computer’s USB port. If you’re using a USB-C port, make sure the USB drive is compatible with USB-C.
How long does it take to create a bootable USB from another USB?
The time it takes to create a bootable USB from another USB depends on the size of the Windows installation files and the speed of your computer and USB drives. On average, it can take around 30 minutes to an hour to create a bootable USB.
However, the time may vary depending on the complexity of the process and the speed of your computer. You should also make sure that your computer is connected to a power source and the USB drives are properly connected to avoid any interruptions during the process.
Can I use a bootable USB to install Windows on multiple computers?
Yes, you can use a bootable USB to install Windows on multiple computers. However, you need to make sure that each computer meets the minimum system requirements for running Windows 10 and has a valid product key.
You should also be aware that using a bootable USB to install Windows on multiple computers may require you to activate Windows on each computer separately. You should have a valid product key for each computer to activate Windows.
How do I troubleshoot issues with my bootable USB?
If you encounter issues with your bootable USB, you can try troubleshooting the problem by checking the USB drive for errors, ensuring that the USB drive is properly connected to your computer, and verifying that the Windows installation files are correct.
You can also try recreating the bootable USB using a different USB drive or a different computer. If the issue persists, you may need to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional technician.
Is it safe to create a bootable USB from another USB?
Yes, it is safe to create a bootable USB from another USB as long as you follow the proper steps and use a legitimate source for the Windows installation files. However, you should be aware of the risks of downloading malware or viruses from untrusted sources.
You should only download the Windows installation files from Microsoft’s official website or a trusted source. You should also ensure that your computer and USB drives are free from malware and viruses before creating the bootable USB.