How to install Windows 10 from USB with UEFI support
These tools help create a compatible USB flash drive and install Windows 10 on a UEFI-based PC.
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When preparing toinstall a fresh copy of Windows 10, you typically use a USB flash drive to launch the"Windows Setup"wizard to continue with the process. However, on a device that has a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) instead of the legacy Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), it is crucial to use the correct media for the firmware type to start and complete the installation successfully.
OnWindows 10, you can use at least two tools to create a bootable USB flash drive. You can use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to download the files onto a removable drive with support for both firmware types (UEFI and legacy BIOS). You can also use Rufus, a third-party tool that makes creating a flash drive installer easy with support for UEFI.
In thishow-to guide, I will walk you through creating a Windows 10 USB flash drive with support for UEFI using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.
How to create Windows 10 UEFI boot media with Media Creation Tool
The Media Creation Tool is the best option for creating a bootable USB media for performing an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows 10.
To create a Windows 10 USB media, connect a flash drive of at least 8GB of space, and then use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the Media Creation Tool will download the files and will create a bootable USB flash drive that you can use to install Windows 10 on computers with support for UEFI and BIOS.
How to create Windows 10 UEFI boot media with Rufus
If the Media Creation Tool does not work or you do not want to use it, you can try Rufus, a popular free third-party tool that allows you to create installation media with support for UEFI devices. The utility offers two ways to create the installation media, including using an existing ISO file or downloading the image from the Microsoft servers directly from the app.
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Create a flash drive with existing Windows 10 ISO
To create a USB media with an existing Windows 10 ISO file, connect a flash drive of at least 8GB of space and use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Rufus will create a USB flash drive to install Windows 10 on a device using UEFI.
Create flash drive downloading Windows 10 ISO
The tool also has a feature to download the Windows 10 ISO file, which you can then use to create a USB flash drive to install Windows 10.
To create an install media with UEFI support with Rufus, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Rufus will run the automated script to download the Windows 10 ISO file from the Microsoft servers and create a bootable media to install the operating system on a UEFI device without needing the Media Creation Tool.
When you have the USB boot media with support for UEFI systems, you can launch the “Windows Setup” wizard to perform aclean installation of Windows 10or an in-place upgrade.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
