How to Install Windows 10 From a UEFI Bootable USB

To install Windows 10 on a UEFI PC, create a bootable USB with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool or write a Microsoft ISO to a USB with Rufus. Then start the target computer from the USB entry labeled UEFI and follow Windows Setup. A blank USB drive with at least 8 GB is required, and creating the installer erases everything on it.

Back up the target PC before a clean install. Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025: it still runs, but Microsoft no longer provides standard security updates, feature updates, or technical support. Consider Windows 11 if the PC supports it.

Option 1: Create the USB with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool

This is the simpler route because the tool downloads Windows 10 and writes the installer directly to the USB. Use a working Windows PC with internet and administrator access. Microsoft recommends a blank USB of at least 8 GB; its contents will be erased.

1. Open the Microsoft Windows 10 download page and select Download tool now. Run the downloaded tool as an administrator and accept its license terms.
2. On What do you want to do?, choose Create installation media for another PC, then select Next.

3. Choose the Windows language, edition, and architecture that match the target PC and its license. If the choices should differ from the working PC, clear Use the recommended options for this PC first.
4. Choose USB flash drive, select Next, then carefully choose the correct removable drive from the list. If several drives are connected, identify the USB by its capacity or label before proceeding.

5. Allow the tool to download and create the media. Keep the PC connected to the internet and do not remove the USB until the tool says it is finished.

Option 2: Write a Windows 10 ISO with Rufus

Use Rufus if you have a Windows 10 ISO and want to set the USB’s partition scheme. To make an ISO, choose ISO file in Media Creation Tool and save it. Download Rufus from its official website.

1. In Rufus, confirm the USB under Device. Under Boot selection, choose SELECT and open the Windows 10 ISO.
2. Keep Image option at Standard Windows installation. Set Partition scheme to GPT and Target system to UEFI (non CSM); confirm those values before writing.
3. Leave the file system and other format settings at their defaults unless the PC manufacturer’s instructions require a change. Select Start, review the USB-erasure warning, and continue only after confirming that the selected drive contains nothing you need.
4. Wait for Rufus to show that writing is complete, then close it and safely eject the USB.

Boot the PC from the UEFI USB and install Windows

1. Insert the installer into the PC where Windows will be installed and restart it. Immediately press the manufacturer’s one-time boot-menu key; common keys include F12, F2, Esc, or Delete, but the correct key varies by model. Choose the entry that begins with UEFI: and names your USB drive.

2. When Windows Setup appears, choose the language and keyboard layout, select Next, and then Install now. Enter a product key when prompted. If this PC already has a digital license for the same Windows 10 edition, you can select I don’t have a product key and let Windows activate online later. Choose the edition that matches the license, such as Home or Pro.
3. For a clean installation, choose Custom: Install Windows only. At the drive list, select the intended destination. On a new, empty drive, select its unallocated space and choose Next; Setup creates required partitions. If the drive contains files or another Windows installation, verify the backup and target disk before deleting or formatting partitions, which permanently erases data.

If you want to keep installed apps and personal files while upgrading an existing Windows PC, start setup.exe from the USB while Windows is running instead of booting from it. A booted clean install follows a different path.

If the USB does not appear in the boot menu

• Try another USB port and reopen the boot menu with the PC maker’s key.
• Recreate the media with Microsoft’s tool or confirm Rufus uses UEFI (non CSM) and GPT.
• If Setup reports a partition-style mismatch, check that you booted the UEFI: USB. Do not switch to Legacy/CSM or alter partitions until you have backed up the target disk; conversion or formatting can erase data.

Microsoft’s installation-media guide covers USB creation and booting from the media. Its Windows 10 end-of-support notice explains the current support status.