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Step-by-step guide to installing Windows from an ISO file
Step-by-step guide to installing Windows from an ISO file
Aug 01, 2025 am 01:10 AM
Download the Windows ISO from Microsoft’s official site. 2. Create a bootable USB using Media Creation Tool or Rufus with a USB drive of at least 8GB. 3. Boot from the USB by accessing the boot menu or adjusting BIOS/UEFI settings. 4. Install Windows by selecting custom installation, choosing the correct partition, and following the prompts. 5. Complete setup by configuring user preferences, installing updates, and adding drivers if needed. Always back up data before starting, ensure correct UEFI/Legacy settings, and use a wired connection for updates, with the entire process taking 20–45 minutes.
Installing Windows from an ISO file is a common task when upgrading, building a new PC, or troubleshooting. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to do it properly using a USB drive.
1. Download the Windows ISO File
- Go to the official Microsoft Windows ISO download page.
- Select your version of Windows (e.g., Windows 10 or Windows 11).
- Choose the edition (Home, Pro, etc.) and language.
- Click “Download” to get the ISO file.
?? Always download from Microsoft’s official site to avoid malware.
2. Prepare a Bootable USB Drive
You’ll need:
- A USB flash drive (at least 8GB)
- A working computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
Option A: Use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool (Windows only, easiest)
- Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
- Run the tool and accept the license terms.
- Choose "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC".
- Select language, edition, and architecture (64-bit recommended).
- Choose "USB flash drive" and plug in your USB drive.
- Wait for the tool to format the drive and copy files.
? This automatically creates a bootable USB.
Option B: Use Rufus (Manual method, works on any OS with third-party tools)
- Download Rufus from rufus.ie.
- Open Rufus (no installation needed).
- Plug in your USB drive.
- In Rufus:
- Device: Select your USB drive.
- Boot selection: Click "SELECT" and choose your downloaded ISO.
- Image option: Leave as "Standard Windows installation".
- Partition scheme: Choose GPT for UEFI systems (modern PCs), or MBR for older BIOS systems.
- File system: NTFS.
- Volume label: Optional (e.g., "Win11_Install").
- Click START and wait for completion.
? Rufus is fast and gives you control over boot settings.
3. Boot from the USB Drive
- Plug the USB into the target computer.
- Turn on the computer and press the boot menu key (commonly F12, F10, F2, ESC, or DEL — varies by brand).
- In the boot menu, select the USB drive.
- Or, enter BIOS/UEFI (via DEL or F2) and change the boot order to prioritize USB.
- Save and exit. The system should now boot into Windows Setup.
4. Install Windows
Once the installer loads:
- Select language, time, and keyboard preferences → Click Next.
- Click "Install now".
- Enter your product key (or choose "I don’t have a product key" to activate later).
- Choose the Windows edition (must match your ISO/license).
- Accept the license terms.
- Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)".
- Choose the drive/partition to install on:
- Delete existing partitions if needed (backup first!).
- Click "New" to create a partition, then Apply.
- Click Next. The installer will copy files, install features, and restart automatically.
? The PC may restart several times. Make sure not to boot from USB again after the first restart — let it continue from the internal drive.
5. Complete Setup
After installation:
- Go through initial setup (region, keyboard, sign in with Microsoft account or create local account).
- Wait for final updates and drivers to install.
- Install necessary drivers (if not auto-installed) from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website.
Tips & Notes
- Back up data before installing — the process erases the drive.
- For dual-booting, shrink your current partition first using Disk Management.
- Use a wired internet connection during setup for smoother updates.
- If you get “Windows cannot be installed to this disk (GPT/MBR)”, check UEFI vs Legacy BIOS settings in firmware.
That’s it — you now have Windows installed from an ISO. The whole process takes 20–45 minutes depending on hardware.
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