How to Install Windows 10 from USB on Lenovo Laptop

Windows / By / February 18, 2024

Installing Windows 10 on a Lenovo laptop can be a straightforward process, especially when using a USB drive. Whether you are upgrading your operating system or performing a clean installation, having a bootable USB drive can make the process faster and more convenient. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps of installing Windows 10 from a USB drive on your Lenovo laptop.

What’s Needed

To install Windows 10 from a USB drive on your Lenovo laptop, you will need the following:

– A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage capacity.
– A Windows 10 ISO file or installation disc.
– A working Lenovo laptop with a USB port.
– An internet connection (optional but recommended for updates).

Video Tutorial:

What Requires Your Focus?

Before proceeding with the installation, it’s important to keep the following points in mind:

– Back up your data: Installing or upgrading an operating system always carries the risk of data loss. It is highly recommended to back up your important files and folders to an external storage device or cloud service.
– Check compatibility: Ensure that your Lenovo laptop meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 10. You can find this information on the official Microsoft website.
– Create a recovery drive: It is advisable to create a recovery drive for your current Windows installation before proceeding with the installation. In case anything goes wrong during the process, you will have a way to restore your system to its previous state.

Option 1. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive via Windows Media Creation Tool

To create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 10 on your Lenovo laptop, you can use the Windows Media Creation Tool. Follow the steps below:

1. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website and launch it.
2. Accept the license terms and select the "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" option.
3. Choose the language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of Windows 10 that you want to install.
4. Select the "USB flash drive" option and insert your USB drive into the computer.
5. Choose the USB drive from the list and click "Next" to start the process.
6. The tool will download the necessary files and create a bootable USB drive.
7. Once the process is complete, safely eject the USB drive from the computer.

Pros:
– The Windows Media Creation Tool is an official tool provided by Microsoft, ensuring reliability and compatibility.
– It simplifies the process of creating a bootable USB drive with just a few clicks.

Cons:
– It requires an internet connection to download the necessary files during the creation process.
– The tool may take some time to download and create the installation files.

Option 2. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive via Rufus

Alternatively, you can use a third-party software called Rufus to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 10 on your Lenovo laptop. Here’s how:

1. Download Rufus from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Launch Rufus and select your USB drive from the "Device" dropdown menu.
3. Choose the "MBR" partition scheme and "BIOS or UEFI" target system.
4. Select the Windows 10 ISO file or insert the installation disc into your computer.
5. In the "File system" dropdown menu, select "NTFS" for UEFI or "FAT32" for BIOS.
6. Enter a new volume label for the USB drive (optional).
7. Check the "Create a bootable disk using" option and select "ISO image" or "Disc" depending on your source.
8. Click on the small disk icon next to the dropdown menu and browse for the ISO file or disc drive.
9. Click "Start" and wait for Rufus to format the USB drive and copy the Windows 10 installation files.
10. Once the process is complete, safely eject the USB drive from the computer.

Pros:
– Rufus offers more customization options compared to the Windows Media Creation Tool.
– It supports various file systems and partition schemes, making it suitable for different scenarios.

Cons:
– It is a third-party software, so it may not be as user-friendly as the official Microsoft tool.
– There is a slight learning curve for first-time users.

Option 3. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive via Command Prompt

For advanced users or those who prefer using command-line tools, it is possible to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10 installation using Command Prompt. Here’s how:

1. Open Command Prompt with admin rights by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)".
2. Type the following command and press Enter: diskpart
3. In the DiskPart utility, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each command:
– list disk
– select disk X (replace X with the number corresponding to your USB drive)
– clean
– create partition primary
– select partition 1
– active
– format fs=ntfs quick
– assign
– exit
4. Insert your Windows 10 installation disc or mount the ISO file using a virtual drive.
5. Open another Command Prompt window (without admin rights) and navigate to the mounted ISO file or DVD drive using the "cd" command.
6. Type the following command and press Enter: xcopy *.* /s /e /f E: (replace E with the drive letter assigned to your USB drive)
7. Wait for the files to be copied to the USB drive.
8. Once the process is complete, safely eject the USB drive from the computer.

Pros:
– Command Prompt provides a command-line interface for those comfortable with executing commands.
– It allows for more control and customization compared to graphical tools.

Cons:
– It requires familiarity with Command Prompt and disk partitioning commands.
– There is a higher risk of making mistakes that could result in data loss or incorrect installations.

Option 4. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive via UNetbootin

UNetbootin is another popular tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 10 on your Lenovo laptop. Follow these steps:

1. Download UNetbootin from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Launch UNetbootin and select the "Diskimage" radio button.
3. Click the "…" button and browse for the Windows 10 ISO file on your computer.
4. Select your USB drive from the "Drive" dropdown menu.
5. Ensure that the "Type" dropdown menu is set to "USB Drive".
6. Click "OK" to start the process.
7. UNetbootin will format the USB drive and copy the Windows 10 installation files.
8. Once the process is complete, safely eject the USB drive from the computer.

Pros:
– UNetbootin is a user-friendly tool that simplifies the creation of a bootable USB drive.
– It supports various operating systems, making it versatile for different installations.

Cons:
– It can be slower compared to other tools due to the way it copies files.
– Compatibility issues may arise with certain USB drives or ISO files.

Why Can’t I Install Windows 10 from USB on Lenovo Laptop?

While creating a bootable USB drive is a common method for installing Windows 10, there could be instances where it doesn’t work as expected on your Lenovo laptop. Here are a few alternative solutions you can try:

1. Update BIOS: Outdated BIOS firmware can cause compatibility issues with bootable USB drives. Visit Lenovo’s support website and download the latest BIOS update for your laptop model. Follow the instructions provided by Lenovo to update the BIOS.

2. Check USB ports: Some USB ports on certain Lenovo laptops may have limited functionality or compatibility. Try using a different USB port on your laptop to see if it resolves the issue.

3. Use a different USB drive: There could be compatibility issues between your USB drive and your Lenovo laptop. Try using a different USB drive from another manufacturer to rule out any incompatibility problems.

Implications and Recommendations

When installing Windows 10 from a USB drive on your Lenovo laptop, there are a few implications and recommendations to keep in mind:

1. Activation and licensing: Ensure that you have a valid Windows 10 license key to activate your installation. You can usually find the license key on a sticker on your laptop or in the documentation provided with your device.

2. Driver updates: After installing Windows 10, it is recommended to visit Lenovo’s support website and download the latest drivers for your specific laptop model. This will ensure that all hardware components function properly and you have the latest features and bug fixes.

3. Updates and security: Once the installation is complete, make sure to check for updates and install the latest Windows 10 patches. This will help keep your system secure and up to date with the latest features and improvements.

The Bottom Line

Installing Windows 10 from a USB drive on your Lenovo laptop is a convenient and efficient way to upgrade or perform a clean installation. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a bootable USB drive and install Windows 10 with ease. Just remember to back up your data and ensure compatibility before proceeding.

5 FAQs about Installing Windows 10 from USB on Lenovo Laptop

Q1: Can I use a USB 2.0 drive for creating a bootable USB drive to install Windows 10?

A: Yes, you can use a USB 2.0 drive for creating a bootable USB drive. However, keep in mind that the installation process may be slower compared to using a USB 3.0 drive.

Q2: Do I need to format the USB drive before creating a bootable USB drive?

A: No, the tools mentioned in this blog post will format the USB drive automatically during the creation process. However, it is recommended to back up any important data on the USB drive before proceeding.

Q3: Can I create a bootable USB drive on a Mac for installing Windows 10 on a Lenovo laptop?

A: Yes, you can create a bootable USB drive on a Mac using third-party tools like Rufus or UNetbootin. However, make sure to select the appropriate target system (BIOS or UEFI) and file system (FAT32 or NTFS) when creating the USB drive.

Q4: How long does it take to create a bootable USB drive using the Windows Media Creation Tool?

A: The time it takes to create a bootable USB drive using the Windows Media Creation Tool depends on the speed of your internet connection and the performance of your computer. On average, it may take around 10-30 minutes.

Q5: Can I use a USB drive that already has data on it for creating a bootable USB drive?

A: No, creating a bootable USB drive will erase all the data present on it. Make sure to back up any important data before proceeding with the creation process.

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