To install Windows 10, create a bootable USB drive with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, start the PC from that drive, choose Custom: Install Windows only, select the drive to install on, and follow the setup screens. It takes 30 to 60 minutes on most PCs. Before you start, note that Windows 10 no longer gets free security updates, so if your PC can run Windows 11, that’s the better choice for a fresh install. The full process is below, step by step.
Before you begin
- Know the trade-off. Microsoft ended free Windows 10 updates and security fixes on October 14, 2025. Home users who enrolled in Extended Security Updates get fixes until October 12, 2027. After that, a Windows 10 PC is unprotected against new threats. See how to enroll in Windows 10 Extended Security Updates.
- Back up your files. A clean install erases the drive you install on.
- Get a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. Everything on it will be deleted.
- Check your license. If the PC ran an activated copy of Windows 10 before, it usually has a digital license and reactivates automatically. Otherwise, have a product key ready.
- Minimum hardware: a 1 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage for the 64-bit version.
Step 1: Create the installation USB
- On any working Windows PC, go to Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page and click Download Now under “Create Windows 10 installation media.”
- Run the downloaded tool as an administrator and accept the license terms.
- Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
- Choose the language, edition, and architecture. Leave Use the recommended options for this PC ticked if you’re installing on the same PC. Pick 64-bit for any modern PC.
- Choose USB flash drive, select your drive, and click Next. The tool downloads Windows and creates the drive. This can take 20 minutes or more.
For more detail, see how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.
Step 2: Boot from the USB drive
- Plug the USB drive into the PC you’re installing on.
- Turn the PC on and immediately press the boot menu key repeatedly. It’s often F12, F11, F9, or Esc, depending on the manufacturer.
- Choose the USB drive from the list.
If the PC starts Windows normally instead, open the firmware (BIOS/UEFI) settings, usually with F2 or Delete, and move the USB drive to the top of the boot order. See how to boot from USB in Windows 10.
Step 3: Install Windows 10
- On the Windows Setup screen, choose your language, time format, and keyboard, then click Next and Install now.
- On Activate Windows, enter your product key, or click I don’t have a product key if the PC had Windows 10 before. It will activate once you’re online.
- If asked, choose the edition that matches your license, usually Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.
- Accept the license terms and click Next.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
- Select the drive to install on. For a completely clean install, select each partition on that drive and click Delete until it shows as Unallocated Space, then select it and click Next. Double-check you’re deleting the right drive if the PC has more than one.
- Windows copies files and restarts several times. Remove the USB drive when it restarts for the first time, or it may boot into the installer again.
Step 4: Set up Windows
- Choose your region and keyboard layout.
- Connect to Wi-Fi or plug in an Ethernet cable.
- Sign in with a Microsoft account, or choose the offline or local account option if it’s offered. See how to create a local account on Windows 10.
- Create a PIN and choose your privacy settings. Turning off options you don’t need, like advertising ID, is fine.
- When the desktop appears, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all available updates.
After installing
- Check activation: Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Install drivers: most install through Windows Update. For graphics, Wi-Fi, or audio problems, download drivers from your PC maker’s website.
- Restore your files from your backup, and reinstall your apps.
Troubleshooting
“Windows cannot be installed to this disk”
Usually the disk’s partition style doesn’t match the boot mode. Delete all partitions on that drive so it’s unallocated and try again. Setup will create the right layout.
The PC doesn’t see the USB drive
Try a different USB port (a USB 2.0 port often works better on older PCs), re-create the drive, or check that the boot mode in the firmware settings is set to UEFI.
Windows isn’t activated
Connect to the internet and wait a while. If it still isn’t activated, make sure you installed the same edition as your license (Home or Pro), or enter your product key under Activation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 10 still free to download?
The download and Media Creation Tool are still available from Microsoft. You still need a valid license to activate it.
Should I install Windows 11 instead?
If your PC meets the requirements, yes, because Windows 11 still gets security updates. See how to do a clean install of Windows 11.
Can I reinstall Windows 10 without a USB drive?
Yes, if Windows still starts. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and click Get started under Reset this PC.
Summary
Make a USB drive with the Media Creation Tool, boot from it, choose Custom install, pick the drive, and finish setup. Then run Windows Update. If your PC supports it, consider Windows 11, since Windows 10’s security updates are ending.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.