Microsoft has brought out a lot of welcome refinements and improvements over the years with Windows You should probably create a Windows 10 bootable USB stick or DVD as a backup these are also known as a boot drive, boot disc or bootable discespecially if you purchased your copy online or lost the original installation media.
If you have a huge issue with your current install or are facing a new machine without an installed OShaving a bootable USB or DVD can be a lifesaver. Here's how to find your Windows 10 product key and how to activate Windows 10 to get you started.
Once Windows 10 is installed, make sure you check out our collection of how to guides to help you get the most out of the new operating system. Perhaps the easiest option for create a backup install drive is via USB. Keep in mind that anything currently on the drive will be erased in the process, so it's advisable to backup anything you may have saved on your drive of choice before you get started.
Alternatively, you can create a backup install disc with a DVD if your computer happens to have an optical drive on board. Either way you go, you'll need a third-party program to get the job done. Finally, you'll need your Windows 10 product key at the ready as well.
You should be able to locate it in your confirmation email if you purchased online, in your Windows 10 box if you purchased at retail, or somewhere on your machine if you bought a PC with Windows 10 out of the box. We recommend downloading and running a tool called Belarc Advisor, which can show you your product key as well.
The main file we're going to be working with here is the Windows 10 ISO. There are a number of places where you can snag the ISO files online if you look hard enough, but we'd recommend sticking with an official download from Microsoft.
From here, you will be given the option to select the edition you want, one with the latest May Update or one with the older October Update. For USB, insert your flash drive into a port on your computer and simply load up Rufus. From the main screen, make sure that your flash drive is selected under "device.
The process should take about 10 minutes or so. From there, select "write image file to disc," then make sure your DVD drive is selected as the destination. Under the "source" header, select your ISO file and then click the start icon. Keep in mind that this process may take a while to complete.
When your manufacturer logo comes on the screen, press F12 or F2 this varies by manufacturer to jump into the boot menu. This is where you'll tell the computer to go ahead and boot from your install disk, rather than loading Windows as it normally does.
From here, the Windows 10 installer should load up, and you'll be well on your way to that fresh install. Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Once the Windows 10 installer loads up, select your language settings and click next.