Need to install Windows 10 but don’t have a DVD drive? A bootable USB drive is your solution. Creating a bootable USB can seem complicated, especially with command-line tools.
But don’t worry! Diskpart, a built-in Windows tool, makes it easy to create a bootable USB drive in just a few steps. This guide will walk you through the entire process from start to finish, explaining each step in simple terms anyone can understand.
Key Takeaways
- Diskpart is a powerful command-line tool built into Windows that requires no downloads
- You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage for Windows 10
- The process involves cleaning, partitioning, and formatting the USB drive
- After preparing the USB with diskpart, you’ll need to copy Windows installation files
- This method works for Windows 10 and other operating systems
- Always back up important data before creating a bootable USB, as the process will erase everything on the drive
What You’ll Need Before Starting?
Before you create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10, make sure you have everything ready:
- A USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage space
- A Windows computer with administrator access
- A Windows 10 ISO file (you can download this from Microsoft’s website)
- About 30 minutes of time
The USB drive will be completely erased during this process, so make sure to back up any important files before you begin. Also, ensure your computer is plugged in or has enough battery life to complete the process without interruption.
How to Access Diskpart on Your Windows Computer?
Diskpart is a built-in Windows tool, but you need administrator rights to use it. Here’s how to access it:
- Click the Start button
- Type “cmd” in the search box
- Right-click on Command Prompt in the results
- Select “Run as administrator”
- Click “Yes” on the security prompt that appears
- Type “diskpart” and press Enter
You’ll now see a “DISKPART>” prompt, which means you’re ready to start creating your bootable USB drive.
Safety tip: Be very careful when using diskpart. It’s a powerful tool that can erase data permanently if you select the wrong disk. Always double-check your selections before executing commands.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Bootable USB Using Diskpart
Now let’s go through the process of creating bootable USB using diskpart. Follow these steps exactly:
1. First, list all the disks on your computer by typing: list disk.
This will show all the storage devices connected to your computer. Identify your USB drive by its size.
2. Select your USB drive by typing (replace X with your USB disk number): select disk X
For example, if your USB is disk 3, you would type “select disk 3”.
3. Clean the USB drive by typing: clean
(This command will erase all data on the USB drive.)
4. Create a new partition by typing: create partition primary
5. Select the new partition by typing: select partition 1
6. Make the partition active by typing: active
7. Format the partition using NTFS file system by typing: format fs=ntfs quick
(This will quickly format the partition)
8. Finally, assign a drive letter to the partition by typing: assign
9. Type “exit” to leave diskpart, but keep the Command Prompt open.
You’ve now completed the process of creating bootable USB with diskpart. The USB drive is partitioned and formatted correctly, but it’s not yet bootable. We’ll fix that in the next section.
Example: When I created a bootable USB for my friend’s computer, I followed these exact steps. The USB drive was 16GB, showed up as disk 2 in the list, and took about 5 minutes to format completely.
How to Copy Windows Files to Your Bootable USB?
Now that you’ve prepared the USB drive, it’s time to make it a proper bootable flash drive for Windows 10 by copying the installation files:
- If you haven’t already, download the Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s website.
- Right-click the ISO file and select “Mount”. This will create a virtual drive with the Windows files.
- Open File Explorer and note the drive letter of both your mounted ISO and your USB drive.
- Go back to your Command Prompt (which should still be open from the previous steps).
- Type the following command (replace X with your ISO drive letter and Y with your USB drive letter): xcopy X:*.* Y:\ /E /F /H (For example, if your ISO is mounted as drive E: and your USB is drive F:, you would type “xcopy E:*.* F:\ /E /F /H”.)
- Wait for the files to copy. This may take 10-20 minutes depending on your computer’s speed.
Once the files are copied, you’ll have a complete bootable USB drive for Windows 10. You can now use this to install Windows on any compatible computer.
Data point: According to Microsoft, the Windows 10 installation files take up about 4.5GB of space, which is why an 8GB or larger USB drive is recommended for creating a bootable USB drive.
How to Boot From Your New USB Drive?
Now that you’ve created your bootable USB, you need to know how to use it. Here’s how to boot from a USB drive:
- Insert the bootable USB drive into the computer where you want to install Windows.
- Restart the computer.
- As the computer starts, press the key to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. This key varies by manufacturer but is often F2, F10, F12, or Delete.
- In the BIOS/UEFI, find the boot order settings.
- Move the USB drive to the top of the boot order list.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI.
The computer will now restart and boot from the USB drive. You’ll see the Windows installation screen, where you can follow the prompts to install Windows.
In some cases, you might need to run diskpart from bootable USB if you encounter issues during installation. This can be done by opening a command prompt from the Windows installation screen and typing “diskpart” to access the tool again.
Pro tip: If you’re having trouble accessing the BIOS/UEFI, look for a message during startup that says “Press [key] to enter setup” or something similar. This will tell you which key to press.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
USB Not Showing Up in Boot Menu
- Make sure the USB is properly inserted
- Try a different USB port
- Check if the USB was created correctly (try it on another computer)
- Some older computers may not support booting from USB3 ports – try a USB2 port
Boot Error Messages
- “Bootmgr is missing”: This usually means the boot files aren’t properly copied. Try recreating the bootable USB.
- “No bootable device”: The BIOS/UEFI settings might be incorrect. Double-check that USB is set as the first boot device.
Windows Installation Fails
- Make sure you have enough free space on the target drive
- Check that your computer meets the minimum requirements for Windows 10
- Try creating a new bootable USB with a different ISO file
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not running Command Prompt as administrator
- Selecting the wrong disk in diskpart (this can erase important data!)
- Using a USB drive that’s too small (less than 8GB)
- Not safely ejecting the USB drive after creating it
Frequently Asked Questions
What size USB do I need for Windows 10 bootable drive?
You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space for a Windows 10 bootable drive. The Windows 10 installation files take up about 4.5GB, but having extra space ensures everything fits properly and allows for future updates or additional files. If you’re creating a bootable drive for multiple versions of Windows or additional tools, consider using a 16GB or 32GB USB drive for extra space.
Can I create a bootable USB without formatting the entire drive?
Unfortunately, no. To create a proper bootable USB drive, you need to format the entire drive and create a specific partition structure. This process erases all data on the USB drive. That’s why it’s crucial to back up any important files from your USB drive before you start creating a bootable USB. After the Windows installation is complete, you can reformat the USB drive to use it for regular storage again.
Why is my bootable USB not working?
There are several reasons why your bootable USB might not work. First, make sure you followed all steps correctly, especially running Command Prompt as administrator. Second, check that your BIOS/UEFI is set to boot from USB devices. Some older computers may have compatibility issues with USB3 ports, so try using a USB2 port if available. Finally, the USB drive itself might be faulty – try creating the bootable USB on a different drive to see if that solves the problem.
Do I need to clean the USB before making it bootable?
Yes, using the “clean” command in diskpart is essential when creating a bootable USB. This command removes all partition and formatting information from the USB drive, allowing you to start with a completely clean slate. Without this step, you might encounter issues with the partition structure or file system, which could prevent the USB drive from being properly bootable. Remember that the “clean” command will erase all data on the drive, so back up any important files first.
Can I use diskpart on Mac to create a Windows bootable USB?
No, diskpart is a Windows-specific command-line tool and isn’t available on macOS. To create a Windows bootable USB on a Mac, you’ll need to use alternative methods such as Boot Camp Assistant (for Macs that support Windows), or third-party tools like UNetbootin or Rufus (if running Windows on a virtual machine). These tools provide similar functionality to diskpart but are designed to work within the macOS environment.
What’s the difference between diskpart and other bootable USB tools?
Diskpart is a built-in Windows command-line tool that gives you precise control over disk partitions and formatting. It’s free and requires no downloads. Other bootable USB tools like Rufus, UNetbootin, or Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool are graphical user interface (GUI) applications that automate the process. These tools are often more user-friendly for beginners but may offer less control than diskpart. Diskpart is also useful when you need to create bootable media in environments where you can’t install additional software.
How long does it take to create a bootable USB with diskpart?
The time it takes to create a bootable USB with diskpart varies depending on your computer’s speed and the size of your USB drive. The diskpart commands themselves take just a few minutes to complete. The most time-consuming part is copying the Windows installation files, which typically takes 10-20 minutes. In total, you should expect the entire process to take about 15-30 minutes from start to finish. Faster computers and USB3 drives will complete the process more quickly than older equipment.
Conclusion
Creating a bootable USB using diskpart might seem technical at first, but it’s actually a straightforward process when you follow the steps carefully. With just a few commands, you can create a reliable bootable USB drive for installing Windows 10 or other operating systems.
The diskpart method gives you precise control over the process and doesn’t require any additional software downloads. Next time you need to install Windows on a computer without a DVD drive, you’ll know exactly how to create a bootable USB drive using diskpart. Have you tried this method before, or do you have questions about the process? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below!
