How to install Windows 10
Here’s what you need to know when it comes installing Windows 10
A computer cannot function without an operating system, so installing Windows 10 is a critical step that every non-Mac user should know how to do.
Of course, most
devices come pre-configured out of the box, which means Windows is preinstalled
and you don’t need to worry about adding the OS manually. However, there are
occasions when you might need to install Windows 10 yourself.
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Perhaps your device
is running an outdated version of Windows, and you need to upgrade to Windows
10. Or maybe you want to perform a clean installation as your operating system
is experiencing issues. Or you could simply want to add Windows 10 to a new PC
or laptop.
Whatever your reason, you can use our guide on how to perform a full Windows 10 installation. We've also included a walkthrough for upgrading from a previous version of Windows. ease close pop-out player to resume
It’s worth noting
that installing Windows 10 can be a lengthy process, so make sure you have
enough time to wait it out.
How to install Windows 10: Full installation
Before we get into
the installation walkthrough, it’s worth noting that installing Windows 10 can
be a lengthy process. Make sure you have enough time to wait it out.
If
your computer is lacking in terms of specs, then check out our roundup of
the best laptops. or get a beastly
machine by choosing one of out best gaming PCs.
2. Create USB installation media. Visit
Microsoft's Windows 10 download page and select
“Download tool now” under the “create Windows 10 installation media” section.
Transfer the downloaded installer tool to a USB drive.
3. Run the installer tool. Open the installer tool by clicking on
it. Accept Microsoft’s terms, and then select “Create installation
media for another PC” on the “What do you want to do?” page.
After selecting which language you want Windows 10 to run in, and which edition
you want as well (32-bit or 62-bit), you’ll be asked what type of media you
want to use.
Installing from a USB
drive is definitely the preferred option but you can also install from a CD or
ISO file. Once you choose your device, the installer tool will download the
required files and put them onto your drive.
4. Use your installation media. Insert your
installation media into your device and then access the computer’s BIOS or
UEFI. These are the systems that allow you to control your
computer’s core hardware.
The
process of accessing these systems is unique to each device, but the
manufacturer’s website should be able to give you a helping hand here.
Generally, you'll need to press the F2, F12 or Delete
keys as your computer boots up.
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5. Change your computer's boot order. Once you have access
to your computer’s BIOS/UEFI you’ll need to locate the settings for boot order.
You need the Windows 10 installation tool to be higher up on the list than the
device’s current current boot drive: this is the SSD or HDD that your existing
OS is stored on. You should move the drive with the
installer files to the very top of the boot order menu. Now,
when you restart your device the Windows 10 installer should load up
first.
How to install Windows 10: Upgrading from an older version of Windows
2. Run installer tool. You can just upgrade your version of
Windows directly from the installer tool, without creating separate
installation media. When you reach the “what do you want to do?”
section, select “Upgrade this PC now.”
3. Complete Windows 10 installation. Now the installer
tool will guide you through the rest of the process. Just follow the steps to
complete the installation process and you'll have Windows 10 installed on your
device at the end of it.