How to Download Windows on a Pen Drive
A pen drive, also known as a USB flash drive, is a small and portable device that can store data and transfer it between computers. It can also be used to install or reinstall Windows on your PC, which can be handy if you don't have a DVD drive or want to save time and avoid errors.
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In this article, we will show you two methods to download Windows on a pen drive and make it bootable, meaning that you can use it to start your PC and install Windows. You will need a pen drive with at least 8 GB of space, a reliable internet connection, and a product key for the version of Windows you want to install.
Method 1: Using Media Creation Tool
The Media Creation Tool is the easiest method to create a bootable Windows pen drive. It is an official Microsoft tool that allows you to download the latest version of Windows and create an installation media with just a few clicks. Here are the steps to follow:
Open the and click the Download now button under the "Create Windows Installation Media" section. Save the file on your PC.
Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch the tool and click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
(Optional) Clear the "Use the recommended options for this PC" option and select the correct language and edition of Windows.
Select the USB flash drive option and click the Next button.
Select your pen drive from the list and click the Next button. If your pen drive is not in the list, click the Refresh drive list option to make it available.
The tool will download the necessary files and create a bootable Windows pen drive. This may take some time depending on your internet speed and pen drive performance.
When the process is complete, click the Finish button and safely eject your pen drive from your PC.
Method 2: Using Rufus
Rufus is another tool that can help you create a bootable Windows pen drive. It is a free and lightweight program that can download Windows files from Microsoft servers or use an existing ISO file that you have downloaded before. Rufus also offers more options and features than the Media Creation Tool, such as choosing different file systems, partition schemes, cluster sizes, etc. Here are the steps to use Rufus:
Open the and download the latest version of Rufus. You don't need to install it, just run it after downloading.
Connect your pen drive to your PC and select it from the Device drop-down menu in Rufus.
If you have an ISO file of Windows, click the Select button next to Boot selection and browse for your ISO file. If you don't have an ISO file, check Download under Boot selection and click the Download button.
A new window will open where you can select the version of Windows you want to download. Choose your preferred edition, language, architecture, and edition from the drop-down menus and click Download.
Rufus will start downloading the ISO file for you. You can see the progress in the status bar at the bottom of Rufus.
Partition scheme matches your PC's BIOS or UEFI mode.
Click the Start button to begin creating the bootable Windows pen drive. Rufus will warn you that all data on the pen drive will be erased. Click OK to confirm and proceed.
Rufus will format your pen drive and copy the Windows files to it. This may take some time depending on your pen drive speed and ISO file size.
When the process is done, you will see a Ready message in the status bar. Click the Close button and safely eject your pen drive from your PC.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you have successfully created a bootable Windows pen drive using either the Media Creation Tool or Rufus. You can now use it to install or reinstall Windows on any compatible PC. To do so, you need to plug in your pen drive to the PC, restart it, and press the appropriate key to enter the boot menu. Then, select your pen drive as the boot device and follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows.
Creating a bootable Windows pen drive is a useful skill that can save you time and trouble in case of a system failure or upgrade. It can also help you test different versions of Windows without affecting your current system. We hope this article has helped you learn how to download Windows on a pen drive and make it bootable. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if my PC supports UEFI or BIOS mode?
A: UEFI and BIOS are two different types of firmware that control how your PC boots up. UEFI is newer and more advanced than BIOS, and it offers more features and security. To check which mode your PC supports, you can use one of these methods:
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Open the System Information app on Windows and look for the BIOS Mode entry under System Summary. It will show either UEFI or Legacy (BIOS).
Restart your PC and enter the firmware settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del). Look for an option that says UEFI or BIOS, or something similar.
If you have already created a bootable Windows pen drive using Rufus, you can check the GPT or MBR label next to it in Rufus. GPT means UEFI mode, while MBR means BIOS mode.
Q: How do I find my product key for Windows?
A: A product key is a 25-digit code that activates your copy of Windows and proves that you have a genuine license. You need a product key to install or reinstall Windows on your PC. You can find your product key in one of these ways:
If you bought Windows from an authorized retailer, you should have received a physical or digital receipt with the product key on it.
If you bought a new PC with Windows preinstalled, you should have received a certificate of authenticity (COA) sticker with the product key on it.
If you upgraded to Windows 10 from an earlier version of Windows, you don't need a product key as long as you are using the same PC and Microsoft account.
If you have already installed Windows on your PC, you can use a third-party tool like to retrieve your product key from the registry.
Q: How do I change the boot order on my PC?
A: The boot order is the sequence of devices that your PC tries to boot from when it starts up. You can change the boot order to make your PC boot from your pen drive instead of your hard drive or other devices. To do so, you need to enter the firmware settings (UEFI or BIOS) by pressing the appropriate key during startup (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del). Then, look for an option that says Boot or Boot Priority, and use the arrow keys or +/- keys to move your pen drive to the top of the list. Save and exit the settings, and your PC will boot from your pen drive.
Q: Q: How do I install Windows from my pen drive?
A: After you have created a bootable Windows pen drive using one of the methods above, you can use it to install Windows on any compatible PC. Here are the general steps to follow:
Plug in your pen drive to the PC you want to install Windows on and turn it on.
Press the appropriate key to enter the boot menu and select your pen drive as the boot device. If you don't see the boot menu, you may need to change the boot order in the firmware settings (UEFI or BIOS).
Wait for the Windows setup screen to appear and select your language, time, and keyboard preferences. Click Next.
Click Install now and enter your product key when prompted. Click Next.
Accept the license terms and click Next.
Select the type of installation you want: Upgrade or Custom. Upgrade will keep your files and settings, while Custom will erase everything and start fresh.
Select the drive where you want to install Windows and click Next. If you don't have enough space or want to create a new partition, click Drive options (advanced) and follow the instructions.
The installation will begin and your PC will restart several times. Wait for it to finish and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Windows account and preferences.
Q: How do I update Windows on my pen drive?
A: If you have created a bootable Windows pen drive using the Media Creation Tool, you can update it to the latest version of Windows by running the tool again and selecting your pen drive as the destination. The tool will download the latest files and overwrite the existing ones on your pen drive. If you have created a bootable Windows pen drive using Rufus, you can update it by downloading the latest ISO file of Windows and using Rufus to create a new bootable pen drive with it. You can also use Rufus to check for updates by clicking the CHECK FOR UPDATES button at the bottom of Rufus. 44f88ac181
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