Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10  

PassionateMatt said:

Complete newbie here. Just built my own PC and am kinda confused on which step to use. One questions step one formats your USB drive and makes it bootable correct? So right after step one I am good to go for installing on my fresh pc?

Hi, firstly thanks, Brink, for really clear instructions, I'll let you know how I get on :)

I've read elsewhere that 4gb usb is sufficient for this, but wonder if that is correct? Seems awfully small, somehow. I'd rather pay a bit more and get a bigger drive to be safe, if that's what's needed.

Thanks,
Jay

jayarte said:

Hi, firstly thanks for really clear instructions, I'll let you know how I get on :)

I've read elsewhere that 4gb usb is sufficient for this, but wonder if that is correct? Seems awfully small, somehow. I'd rather pay a bit more and get a bigger drive to be safe, if that's what's needed.

Thanks,
Jay

Hello Jay, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

Yes, a 4GB USB is fine as long as you are only using a single version and edition ISO file.

Brink said:

Hello Jay, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

Yes, a 4GB USB is fine as long as you are only using a single version and edition ISO file.

Strange, Shawn. I tried using a 4 GB USB drive (way back when) but was told it didn't have enough space on it. Wonder what the difference was?

I use Rufus and 8 GB drives now.

So far, I've not had any problems using my 4GB with Rufus for a 64-bit ISO.

It just depends on how large the ISO is. I think 3.8 GB is about the limit for a 4GB USB. Of course it also depends on if the USB is actually giving you the full advertised 4GB or not.

That would probably be best anyways. This way you'll have room to keep your driver installation files and anything else you may want on the USB as well.

Crap I forgot to mention RUFUS has updated again, to version 2.5...


Version 2.5 (2015.10.26)

• Add SHA-256 checksum verification
• Add a cheat mode to disable exclusive USB drive locking (Alt - ,)
• Add digital signature check on update downloads
• Add Azerbaijani translation, courtesy of Elvin Məlikov
• Add Persian translation, courtesy of Seyed Zia Azimi (ziaa)
• Fix an issue where the update settings dialog may not display properly
• Report Windows build number in the log (Windows 8 or later)
• Many localization improvements and fixes, especially for right-to-left languages
• Additional translation updates

Cliff S said:

Crap I forgot to mention RUFUS has updated again, to version 2.5...


Version 2.5 (2015.10.26)

• Add SHA-256 checksum verification
• Add a cheat mode to disable exclusive USB drive locking (Alt - ,)
• Add digital signature check on update downloads
• Add Azerbaijani translation, courtesy of Elvin Məlikov
• Add Persian translation, courtesy of Seyed Zia Azimi (ziaa)
• Fix an issue where the update settings dialog may not display properly
• Report Windows build number in the log (Windows 8 or later)
• Many localization improvements and fixes, especially for right-to-left languages
• Additional translation updates

And this time I won't get rid of the last version, although that wouldn't have helped. :)