Do you want to install or reinstall Windows 10 on your computer? Not sure how to prepare the bootable USB of Windows 10 without using third-party tools? In this step-by-step, we will see how to prepare the bootable USB of Windows 10 using the Command Prompt.
Although one can always use tools like Rufus to prepare the bootable USB, why use a third-party tool when you can create the bootable USB using the built-in Command Prompt?
The method is straightforward, and you can use it without any hassles. Needless to say that your motherboard should support the USB Boot feature to make use of the bootable USB drive. And if your PC doesn’t support booting from USB, you can still install Windows from USB by following our how-to install Windows 7/8 from a USB drive even if your PC doesn’t support the USB boot feature.
How to install Windows 10 from the USB drive guide might also interest you.
Preparing Windows 10/8/7 bootable USB
Requirements:
- USB Flash Drive (Minimum 4GB)
- Windows 10/8/7 installation files.
Follow the below steps to create bootable Windows 10/Windows 7 USB drive using which you can install Windows 10/8/7 easily.
Procedure:
Step 1: Plug-in your USB flash drive to the USB port and move all the contents from the USB drive to a safe location on your system.
Step 2: Open Command Prompt with admin rights. Use any of the below methods to open Command Prompt with admin rights.
*Type cmd in Start menu search box and hit Ctrl+ Shift+ Enter.
Or
*Go to Start menu > All programs > Accessories, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Step 3: You need to know about the USB drive a little bit. Type in the following commands in the command prompt:
First, type DISKPART and hit enter to see the below message.
Next type the LIST DISK command and note down the Disk number (ex: Disk 1) of your USB flash drive. In the below screenshot, my Flash Drive Disk no is Disk 1.
Step 4: Next, type all the below commands one by one. Here I assume that your disk drive no is “Disk 1”.If you have Disk 2 as your USB flash drive, then use Disk 2.Refer to the above step to confirm it.
So below are the commands you need to type and execute one by one:
SELECT DISK 1
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS Quick
(In the above command, replace NTFS with FAT32 if your system supports UEFI)
(Format process may take few seconds)
ASSIGN
EXIT
Don’t close the command prompt as we need to execute one more command at the next step. Just minimize it.
Step 5: Next, insert your Windows 10/8/7 DVD into the optical drive and check the drive letter of the DVD drive. In this guide, I will assume that your DVD drive letter is “D,” and the USB drive letter is “H” (open my computer to know about it). If you have an ISO image of Windows 10/8/7, mount the ISO file by right-clicking on it and then clicking the Mount option. It will now show up in File Explorer.
Step 6: Maximize the minimized Command Prompt in the 4th step.Type the following command now:
D: CD BOOT and hit enter. Where “D” is your DVD drive letter or the drive letter of the mounted ISO file.
CD BOOT and hit enter to see the below message.
Step 7: Type another command given below to update the USB drive with BOOTMGR compatible code.
BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:
Where “H” is your USB drive letter. Once you enter the above command, you will see the below message.
Step 8: Copy your Windows 10/8/7 contents to the USB flash drive. If you mounted an ISO file, open up the drive and copy all the files to the USB drive.
Step 9: Your USB drive is ready to boot and install Windows 10/8/7. The only thing you need to change the boot priority at the BIOS to USB from the HDD or CD ROM drive. I won’t explain it as it’s just the matter the changing the boot priority or enabling the USB boot option in the BIOS.
Note: If you are not able to boot after following this guide means you haven’t set the BIOS priority to USB. If you got any problems following this guide, feel free to ask questions by leaving a comment.
Update: If you find this guide difficult to follow, please use the easy-to-use Rufus software to create a bootable USB. Make sure you follow all steps correctly and launch the Command Prompt with admin rights (as given in the guide) to avoid errors. Good luck!
