Can't install windows from a USB


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows
       #1

    Can't install windows from a USB


    Went into advance system start up, formatted windows from cmd. I try to boot from the USB to install windows, however it then says automatic system repairing, diagnosing pc and takes me to the system start up. Usb was formatted on FAT32 and I used Rufus to set make it bootable. I have tried it with uefi on and off. Please help asap 😭
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

    Hi, make sure you followed that exactly when creating your bootable USB drive.

    Now follow this:
    Clean Install Windows 10
    - noting it links to this:
    Boot from USB Drive on Windows 10 PC

    - a guide to how to boot from a USB bootable drive- here:
    Here's How:

    1. If you have not already, you will need to create a bootable Windows 10 installation USB.

    2. Temporarily disconnect all non OS hard drives until Windows installation has finished. This is to avoid Windows Setup from installing files or partitions on other hard drives by mistake.

    3. Boot from the USB flash drive on your computer.
    Please post back with any specific questions about that procedure, referring to the appropriate tutorial.
    Thanks.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I've done all of this but when I select the USB in boot options it takes me to automatic system repair and then back to advanced stsrtup
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Hi,
    You need to identify whether the problem is your disk.. or your BIOS settings, as you know.
    So take the problem apart.

    a. Is your USB drive bootable on any other Windows machine?
    Put another way, people make mistakes creating these.

    And/or
    b. Do you have a known usable bootable USB of any sort you can use to check it boots on your problem PC?

    Here's another way to create a bootable USB drive:
    Creating a bootable USB drive.

    with thanks to @NavyLCDR
    To reliably make a bootable USB flash drive from an ISO file, do this:

    Plug the drive into a USB port of a functioning Windows PC.

    Open a command prompt.
    Run diskpart.

    Once diskpart is running, enter the following commands in sequence:

    list disk
    select disk #
    - replace # with the actual disk number of the USB flash drive
    clean
    - this will erase the selected drive, make sure it is the USB flash drive!
    create part pri
    format fs=fat32 quick
    active
    exit
    exit

    Then mount your ISO file.
    (By default you can simplyright click the iso file, and click Mount. However, Mount will not be available if iso files have been associated with a different program).

    Copy all the files and folders from the mounted ISO file to the USB flash drive.

    (If stuck you can open the iso with 7-zip, a free program).

    Discussion here:
    - includes content of flash drive.

    OR use Rufus (freeware)
    See Option 2
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I'm using the same bootable USB that I used last time. Could it possibly still be it? Should I format in NTFS?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Ok, if that worked last time and you've not overwritten it, then the only question would be which Win 10 build it is. It could be an older build depending e.g. on the date.

    So then it's a matter of getting the BIOS settings right.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #7

    The problem is the PC isn't booting from the USB disk, which should be independent of the internal disk, unless there's a really big hardware problem.

    See:
    post #2 (and any discussion following for more perhaps) from the tutorial I quoted:
    Boot from USB Drive on Windows 10 PC

    Check your UEFI/BIOS settings to make sure that any "Allow USB at boot" type setting is enabled.
    You could take a photo of your BIOS settings for someone to look at.
    But first best to check some other PC can boot from it.
      My Computers


 

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