A Windows 10 boot disk should be kept on hand by every Windows user at all times. It can save you time and money if you have computer problems in the future.
Microsoft’s decision to create an operating system that works on both touch and non-touch computers resulted in Windows 8.Microsoft’s Windows 10 is a substantial update to the Windows NT operating system. It was released to production on July 15, 2015, and extensively released for the general public on July 29, 2015. It is the successor of Windows 8.1, which was launched nearly two years prior. Windows 10 was released as a free update for retail copies of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 customers via the Windows Store, and to Windows 7 users via Windows Update. Windows 10 receives new releases on a regular basis, which are free to consumers, as well as extra test versions of Windows 10, which are only available to Windows Insiders. Enterprise devices can receive these upgrades at a slower rate or employ long-term support milestones, which only receive crucial updates, such as security patches, throughout the course of their ten-year lifecycle.
We’re covering Windows 10 from all angles, with articles on whether or not to update, evaluations of the operating system, how-to guides, troubleshooting assistance, and much more. As a result, consider this website to be your starting point for understanding everything about Windows 10. We’ll be adding to it on a regular basis, so come back often. When Windows 10 was first released, it garnered mostly good feedback. Microsoft’s choice to give a desktop-oriented interface, in contrast to Windows 8’s tablet-oriented approach, was welcomed by critics, while Windows 10’s touch-oriented user interface mode was condemned for including regressions from its predecessor’s touch-oriented interface. Improvements to Windows 10’s included software over Windows 8.1, Xbox Live integration, the functionality and capabilities of the Cortana personal assistant, and the replacement of Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge were highly commended by critics. Media publications, on the other hand, have panned the changes to operating system behavior, citing required update installation, privacy worries over data collecting by the OS for Microsoft and its partners, and adware-like methods used to promote the operating system’s introduction.
Troubleshooting an old, sluggish PC isn’t enjoyable, but it’s also something you can tackle at home on your own. Aside from looking for frequent problems, you should also make a bootable USB stick. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes I was a little nervous when I first heard the words “bootable USB.” It’s OK if you do as well. Creating the drive appears to be a difficult process that needs a high level of technical knowledge, but in reality, it simply takes a few mouse clicks and a stable internet connection to finish. Do not be intimidated in the least. I’ll keep my word.
If you ever need to reinstall Windows, backup discs can save you both time and aggravation. And if you’re putting together a gaming PC, this is one of the last things you’ll need.
It is feasible to construct a Windows 10 boot disk on a Mac, but the procedure is time-consuming and needs knowledge of Terminal, the Mac’s command-line interface. For the ordinary user, it’s not a method I’d suggest. Despite my limited experience with Terminal, I discovered that building my first gaming PC on a Windows machine was a safer and easier approach.
Use Microsoft’s media creation tool
Microsoft has a dedicated tool that you can use to download the Windows 10 system image (also referred to as ISO) and create your bootable USB drive.
1. Go to this page, scroll down to Create Windows Installation Media and click on Download tool now.
2. Once the download finishes, double-click the file called MediaCreationToolxxxx to run it. (The last four digits of the file name indicate the version number of Windows 10. Right now, the filename is MediaCreationTool21H1, but that will change as newer versions are released.) The file should be in your Downloads folder.
3. When the program opens, accept Microsoft’s terms and conditions, then select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, and click Next.
4. You’ll be asked to select the language, edition and architecture you want to use. By default, the tool will use the best options for the PC you’re creating the boot drive on. You can change any of the options by unchecking the box next to Use the recommended options for this PC and using the drop-down options. If you’re unsure about whether you need a 64-bit or a 32-bit architecture, select Both from the Architecture drop-down.
Note, that according to Microsoft’s support page, if you plan on using this tool to flash a different edition of Windows 10, such as Windows 10 Pro (or vice versa) on a different PC, it will be included when you select Windows 10 as the Edition. In fact, basic Windows 10 is the only option, so don’t stress yourself looking for a Pro option.
5. Click Next when you’ve adjusted the options, leave USB flash drive selected, and plug your USB drive into your computer. Select Next to continue.
6. Finally, select the USB drive from the list. If you have more than one drive connected to your computer and are unsure which one to pick, disconnect the extra drives. Picking the wrong drive could be catastrophic, as this process erases everything on the drive during the process. With the right drive selected, click Next.
Microsoft’s tool will take care of the rest from there. Go get a drink, take a walk or browse the internet while the tool does its job. The process should take about 30 minutes, give or take, depending on your internet speed.
When the tool is done, click Finish and remove the USB drive from your computer. Going forward, if you need to install or reinstall Windows, you can connect the drive to your computer and reboot it. Your PC should boot to the drive, giving you the option to install Windows.
If it doesn’t automatically boot to the drive, you’ll need to reboot your computer into its BIOS firmware — usually done by pressing Esc, F2, or a similar key while the computer is starting up — and change the boot drive or “bootmenu” to your flash drive. The process for each computer (or motherboard if you’re building a gaming PC) will be different. When you first turn on your computer, there’ll be a small line of text telling you which button to press to enter BIOS. If you don’t see it, or it goes away too fast, I suggest consulting your manual for instructions.
You can also use the media tool to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, following these instructions. After getting Windows 10 installed, here are some tips to help get you started. If reinstalling Windows 10 feels like too much, use these tips to troubleshoot and speed it up.
