How to Install Windows 10 from External Hard Drive: Simple GuideUpdated a month ago
Installing Windows 10 from an external hard drive requires creating a bootable installation drive and configuring your PC to boot from it. First, download the official Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s website.
Key Highlights: Install Windows 10 from an External Hard Drive
- Prepare Prerequisites:
Ensure you have a working PC, an external hard drive with at least 8GB of space, the Windows 10 ISO file, and a Windows 10 product key.
- Download the Windows 10 ISO:
Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to download the official Windows 10 ISO from the Microsoft website.
- Format the External Hard Drive:
Use NTFS file system to format the external hard drive and make space for the Windows 10 installation files.
- Create a Bootable External Hard Drive with Rufus:
Use the Rufus tool to make the external hard drive bootable by selecting the ISO file, the correct partition scheme, and starting the process.
- Boot from the External Hard Drive:
Restart the target PC, access the boot menu, and select the external hard drive to boot from.
- Install Windows 10:
Follow the installation prompts to install Windows 10, including entering the product key, selecting a partition, and setting up preferences.
- Complete the Setup:
After installation, finalize the setup by creating a user account, choosing privacy settings, and activating Windows.
This method provides a flexible way to install or reinstall Windows 10, especially when you don't have a USB drive or DVD available.