It’s a good idea to copy Windows 10 to USB and make it bootable with 3 effective methods. The best practice is to create a bootable copy of Windows 10, NOT just an installation USB for quick migration.
Instead of relying on old DVDs or factory recovery partitions, copying Windows 10 to USB and making it bootable creates a bootable USB, which is one of the most useful tools to install, repair, or troubleshoot Windows quickly and anywhere.
Here are 3 methods to copy Windows 10 USB and make it bootable.
🤝 What Do You Need:
✔ A USB 3.0 with at least 8GB, preferably 16GB or larger. Opt for reputable brands such as SanDisk, Samsung, PNY, etc.
✔ Backup your important files on the USB drive, or you’ll lose the data permanently. The USB will be formatted.
✔ A stable internet connection is required to download the Windows 10 ISO file.
The Microsoft Media Creation Tool is the easiest method to copy Windows 10 to USB and make it bootable.
Step 1. Download Windows 10 MediaCreationTool from Microsoft. Run it and accept the license agreement.
Step 2. Check Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO) for another PC and click Next.
Step 3. Select your language, edition, and architecture - Windows 10 64-bit or 32-bit edition.
Step 4. Select the USB flash drive and click Next.
Step 5. Select your USB drive from the list and let the tool download and copy all the needed files.
If you already have a Windows 10 ISO file or want more control over boot settings, you can create a Windows 10 bootable USB using Rufus.
Step 1. Download the Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft. Install and open Rufus as well.
Step 2. Plug in your USB drive and let Rufus detect it. Then, under Device, select your USB drive.
Step 3. Under Boot selection, select Disk or ISO image. Then, click SELECT to choose the Windows 10 ISO file.
Step 4. Wait for Rufus to detect the ISO type. Optionally, enable the advanced features to bypass Secure Boot and TPM, or Microsoft account requirements.
Step 5. Click Start and OK to be sure you want to copy Windows 10 to USB and make it bootable. Note that all data on the target USB will be deleted during this process.
This method manually prepares a bootable USB using built-in Windows tools. It’s useful when the Media Creation Tool or Rufus is not available, or you’re working on offline systems.
Step 1. Insert your USB drive (8GB or larger) and be sure it’s detected. Type cmd in the Start menu, select Command Prompt, and Run as administrator.
Step 2. Type diskpart and press Enter to open this tool.
Step 3. Type these commands one after another. Remember to press Enter.
Step 4. Download the Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft. Then, right-click it and select Mount. It appears as a new drive.
Step 5. Copy and paste all mounted ISO files to your USB drive.
The following table summarizes the pros and cons of each method for your reference:
|
Tool |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Media Creation Tool |
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|
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Rufus |
|
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Diskpart |
|
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Testing Windows 10 bootable USB drive ahead of time is a good idea to make sure it will work when you really need it. The steps are largely the same for all computers.
Step 1. Plug the USB into your computer and restart the PC. Press the BIOS key (e.g., F12, F10, F2, ESC, etc) to access the BIOS/UEFI settings window.
Step 2. Under the Boot tab, find your USB drive and set it as the first boot option.
Step 3. Press F10 to save changes and reboot. It will navigate you to the Windows Setup window. If not, the bootable USB is not working.
AOMEI Backupper Standard is a universal tool that can help you create a Windows 10 bootable USB and a full copy of Windows 10, programs, settings, and your personal data, with minimal manual intervention. You can then restore computer to a good status when needed, all without any downtime.
Step 1. Download, install, and launch AOMEI Backupper Standard on a working PC. Then, go to Tools >Create Bootable Media.
Step 2. Check the USB Boot Device. Then, select your USB drive from the drop-down menu and click Create.
Step 1. Switch to the Backup tab, click System Backup. It will automatically select all the boot-related partitions required to start Windows.
Step 2. Click the PC icon to select the backup destination. It can be an external drive, USB flash drive, network drive, etc.
Step 3. Optionally, click Schedule to set a schedule backup, such as daily, weekly, monthly, etc., or event triggers, minimizing heavy human intervention. Confirm the backup settings and click Start Backup.
1. Can I reuse the USB later?
Yes. After installation, format the USB in File Explorer (right-click > Format > FAT32 or exFAT). All Windows setup files will be erased, and the drive returns to normal use.
2. Does this keep my files?
3. Can I install Windows on a new PC or blank SSD?
Yes. The bootable USB works on any compatible PC or blank SSD. You need to set the USB as the first boot option and restart. Be sure to select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” and specify the blank SSD to store the installation files during setup.
Copying Windows 10 to USB and making it bootable is essential for repairs, reinstalls, and troubleshooting Windows issues. It allows you to boot into Windows Setup without a working OS, fix bootloaders, or perform clean installs. It’s best to keep one ready for emergencies.
In addition, it’s suggested to create a bootable copy of Windows 10, not just installation USB, with universal tool - AOMEI Backupper. When the computer is failing or corrupted, it allows you to transfer everything from HDD to SSD, including Windows, apps, system files, personal data, etc., without any downtime.