How to Install Windows 10 on USB Drive
Installing Windows 10 on a USB drive is a convenient way to have a portable operating system that you can carry around with you. Whether you need it for troubleshooting, running a second operating system, or simply for convenience, this guide will walk you through the steps to install Windows 10 on a USB drive.
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Materials
Before you begin, you will need the following materials:
– A USB drive with at least 16GB of storage space.
– A Windows 10 ISO file.
– A computer with an internet connection.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive
The first step is to create a bootable USB drive. You can use a tool like Rufus to do this. Follow these steps:
1. Download Rufus from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Insert your USB drive into your computer.
3. Open Rufus and select your USB drive from the “Device” dropdown menu.
4. Click on the “Select” button next to the “Boot selection” field and navigate to the Windows 10 ISO file you downloaded earlier.
5. Ensure that the “Partition scheme” is set to “MBR (Master Boot Record)” and the “File system” is set to “FAT32”.
6. Click on the “Start” button to begin the process.
Step 3: Install Windows 10 on the USB Drive
Once your USB drive is bootable, you can proceed to install Windows 10 on it. Follow these steps:
1. Insert the USB drive into a computer that you want to install Windows 10 on.
2. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key (such as F2, F10, or DEL) during the boot process.
3. Change the boot order so that the USB drive is selected as the first boot device.
4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings.
5. The computer will now boot from the USB drive and display the Windows 10 setup screen.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10 on the USB drive.
Step 4: Finalize the Installation
After the installation process is complete, you will need to finalize the installation by formatting the USB drive. Follow these steps:
1. Restart the computer and boot from the USB drive.
2. Once the Windows 10 setup screen appears, click on “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.
3. Select the USB drive as the installation location and click “Next”.
4. Click on “Format” and then “OK” to format the USB drive.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Conclusion
Installing Windows 10 on a USB drive is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following this guide, you can have a portable operating system that you can use on any computer with ease.
