How to: Install Windows 10/11 Using the Media Creation Tool
In this article, we will help you through the process of installing Windows 10 and Windows 11 using the Media Creation Tool.
- Why Reinstall Windows?
- Step 1: Download the Media Creation Tool
- Step 2: Prepare a Bootable USB Drive
- Step 3: Boot from the USB Drive
- Step 4: Install Windows
- Step 5: Complete the Setup
Why Reinstall Windows?
Installing a new copy of Windows on your computer can be an important task, whether you're setting up a new device, installing a new operating system drive, or fixing issues on your existing system
This guide will walk you through the steps of a clean installation process, rather than upgrading from an older version of Windows. We do not recommend cloning your existing Operating System drive to a new drive, as this can cause issues when booting from the new drive.
Step 1: Download the Media Creation Tool
Visit the official Microsoft website to download the Media Creation Tool for the Windows version you want to install:
- For Windows 10: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
- For Windows 11: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
Click the "Download tool now" button to download the tool for the desired version of Windows.
Step 2: Prepare a Bootable USB Drive
- Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage into your computer.
- Launch the Media Creation Tool by double-clicking the downloaded file.
- Accept the license terms.
- Select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" and click "Next."
- Choose the desired language, edition, and architecture (32-bit, 64-bit, or both) for the Windows installation, then click "Next."
- Select "USB flash drive" and click "Next."
- Choose the USB drive you inserted earlier and click "Next." The tool will now download the Windows files and create a bootable USB drive. This process may take some time, depending on your internet speed and the performance of your computer.
Step 3: Boot from the USB Drive
- Insert the bootable USB drive into the computer where you want to install Windows.
- Restart the computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings.
This usually involves pressing a specific key (such as F2, F10, or DEL) during startup. Refer to your computer's documentation or search online for instructions specific to your device. - Locate the boot order settings and move the USB drive to the top of the list.
- Save your settings and exit the BIOS or UEFI. The computer should now boot from the USB drive.
Every motherboard has a different BIOS layout. Please check your BIOS/Motherboard manual to confirm where these settings are located.
Step 4: Install Windows
- When the Windows installation screen appears, select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method. Click "Next."
- Click "Install now."
- If you have a Windows product key, enter it. If not, click "I don't have a product key" to proceed. You can activate Windows later with a valid product key.
- Choose the Windows edition you want to install and click "Next."
- Accept the license terms and click "Next."
- Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)."
- Choose the drive or partition where you want to install Windows. If you need to create a new partition or format an existing one, use the available options. Be aware that formatting a partition will erase all data on it.
- Click "Next" to start the installation process. The computer may restart several times during the installation.
Step 5: Complete the Setup
After the installation is complete, you will be prompted to set up your preferences and create a user account. Follow the on-screen instructions to customize your Windows experience.