How to Create a Windows 10 Boot USB on Your Computer

What a boot USB does and why you need one

A boot USB is a flash drive that holds the Windows 10 installer. When you plug it into a computer and restart, the computer boots from the USB instead of the hard drive, letting you install Windows 10 from scratch, repair a broken installation, or run Windows 10 without installing it at all.

You need a boot USB if your computer won't start, if you're installing Windows 10 on a new machine, or if you want to do a clean install on an existing one. The process takes about 20 minutes and requires a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space — the drive will be erased, so use one that's empty or that you don't mind losing files from.

You'll create the boot USB on a working computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux), then move it to the computer where you want to install Windows 10.

Key Takeaways

You need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and a working computer to create the boot drive.
Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, which handles downloading the installer and writing it to the USB.
The Media Creation Tool will erase your USB drive, so back up any files on it first.
After creation, plug the USB into the computer where you want to install Windows 10 and restart it.

Getting the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Microsoft provides a free tool called the Media Creation Tool that downloads Windows 10 and writes it to your USB drive automatically. Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 in your web browser on a working computer.

Click the button labeled "Download tool now". This downloads a file called MediaCreationTool.exe (if you're on Windows) or MediaCreationTool.pkg (if you're on Mac). Save it to your desktop or Downloads folder — you'll run it in the next step.

If you're on Linux, the Media Creation Tool doesn't work. Instead, download the Windows 10 ISO file from the same page (look for the "Download Windows 10 Disc Image" section), then use a tool like Balena Etcher or GNOME Disks to write it to the USB.

Running the Media Creation Tool and selecting your USB drive

Plug your USB drive into your computer. Open the Media Creation Tool file you downloaded. On Windows, double-click MediaCreationTool.exe. On Mac, double-click MediaCreationTool.pkg and follow the installer.

The tool will ask what you want to do. Select "Create installation media for another PC" — this is the option for making a boot USB. Click Next.

The tool will ask you to choose the language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) for Windows 10. The defaults are usually correct — Windows 10 Home, your system language, and 64-bit. If you're not sure, leave them as they are. Click Next.

The tool will ask whether you want to use a USB flash drive or an ISO file. Select "USB flash drive". Click Next. The tool will show you a list of USB drives connected to your computer. Select the one you want to use — this is the moment to double-check you're erasing the right drive, because the next step will wipe it completely. Click Next.

Waiting for the download and write process

The Media Creation Tool will now download Windows 10 (this can take 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed) and write it to the USB drive. You'll see a progress bar. Do not unplug the USB drive or close the tool while this is happening.

When the process finishes, the tool will tell you the USB is ready. You can close the Media Creation Tool and unplug the USB drive.

Using the boot USB to install or repair Windows 10

Plug the USB drive into the computer where you want to install Windows 10. Restart that computer. As it's starting up, you'll need to enter the boot menu — the key to press varies by manufacturer. Common keys are F12, F2, Esc, or Del. Look for a message on the startup screen that says "Press [key] to enter boot menu" or "Press [key] to select boot device".

Once you're in the boot menu, select your USB drive from the list. The computer will restart and boot from the USB. Windows 10 setup will begin, and you can follow the on-screen steps to install Windows 10, repair an existing installation, or run Windows 10 without installing it.

Troubleshooting when the computer won't boot from the USB

If the computer starts normally instead of booting from the USB, you either didn't press the boot menu key in time, pressed the wrong key, or the USB wasn't selected in the boot menu. Restart the computer and try again, watching the startup screen more carefully for the prompt.

If you're still having trouble, restart the computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings instead — usually by pressing F2, Del, or F10 during startup. Look for a setting called "Boot Order" or "Boot Priority" and move your USB drive to the top of the list. Save and exit. The computer should now boot from the USB on the next restart.

If the USB drive itself isn't showing up in the boot menu, try a different USB port on the computer, or try creating the boot USB again on a different USB drive — the drive itself may be faulty or incompatible.

Keeping the boot USB for future use

Once you've finished installing or repairing Windows 10, you can leave the boot USB as is or erase it and use the drive for regular file storage. If you want to keep it as a boot USB for future repairs or installations, just store it somewhere safe. The Windows 10 installer on it doesn't expire.

If you want to erase the USB and use it for files, plug it into any computer, right-click the drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and select Format or Erase. Choose a file system — NTFS for Windows, exFAT if you want to use it on both Windows and Mac — and confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a boot USB on a Mac and use it on a Windows computer?

Yes. The Media Creation Tool works on Mac and creates a USB that will boot on any Windows computer. Just download and run the Mac version of the tool, select your USB drive, and wait for it to finish.

What if my USB drive is smaller than 8 GB?

The Windows 10 installer is about 5.5 GB, so technically it might fit on a smaller drive, but Microsoft requires 8 GB to account for temporary files during installation. Use an 8 GB drive or larger to avoid errors.

Do I need a Windows 10 product key to create the boot USB?

No. You can create the boot USB and install Windows 10 without a product key. Windows will ask for a key during or after installation, but you can skip that step and install without one. You'll be prompted to enter a key later if you want to activate Windows.

Can I use the same boot USB on multiple computers?

Yes. Once you've created the boot USB, you can use it to install Windows 10 on as many computers as you want. Just plug it in, boot from it, and follow the installation steps on each machine.

What happens to files on my USB drive when I create the boot USB?

The Media Creation Tool erases the entire USB drive before writing Windows 10 to it. Back up any files you want to keep before you start the process.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.