How to Create Windows 10 Installation Media
1. Windows Media Creation Tool
The first and most obvious choice for creating Windows 10 installation media is the Windows Media Creation Tool. This application allows you to download the Home or Pro versions of Windows 10, and you can pick from the 32-bit or 64-bit version for both. Following your selections, you can choose to install directly to a USB drive or download a single or dual-use ISO to install to a disc at a later time.
Download the Windows Media Creation Tool. Once downloaded, run the application and select Create installation media for another PC. Windows 10 will download within the application, ready for you to choose your version, system architecture, and which versions you'd like to include in your Windows 10 installation media.
If you choose to install directly to a USB or disc, follow the onscreen instructions to complete your installation. If you're installing Windows 10 further down the line, read the next section on how to create bootable media.
Download Windows 10 ISO Direct From Microsoft
You can download Windows 10 direct from Microsoft without the Windows Media Creation Tool. The Windows 10 ISO was available from the Microsoft Tech Bench Upgrade Program for a long time, although this option is no longer available.
However, there is an alternative method for downloading a Windows 10 ISO.
- Head to the Windows 10 ISO
- Press F12 to open the Developer Options.
- Press CTRL + Shift + M to open the Toggle device toolbar, which appears above the webpage. From the dropdown menu, select Responsive, then press F5 to refresh the page.
- When the page reloads, select the latest edition of Windows 10 from the dropdown, then Confirm the download.
After the ISO finishes downloading, head to the section below.
2. Make Windows 10 Installation Media
If you downloaded a Windows 10 ISO to install later, you need to create bootable Windows 10 installation media using an ISO burning tool. You can burn the Windows 10 ISO to a USB flash drive or a disc. You'll find instructions for both options below.
Windows 10 USB Installation Media
To create USB installation media, you'll need ISO to USB burning tool. I'm using Rufus for this tutorial, but there many other ISO to USB burning tool options.
- Download and install Rufus.
- Select the target USB Device from the dropdown menu, then Select the Windows 10 ISO. Rufus will update the properties and burning options automatically.
- Press Start to burn the Windows 10 ISO to the USB drive.
The burning process will vary depending on your computer but usually takes around 10-15 minutes.
Windows 10 Disc Installation Media
You don't have to use a USB to create your installation media. Many people prefer the traditional disc approach, and there are numerous free applications to help you get the job done. For this example, I'm going to use ImgBurn.
- Download and install ImgBurn.
- Now, select Write image file to disc.
- On the next window, select the Browse for file icon, which looks like a folder, then browse to and select your Windows 10 ISO.
- Set the Destination using the dropdown menu, then set the Write Speed to MAX.
- When you're ready, hit the ISO to disc icon to start the burn process.
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