BLUF
A Windows 10 bootable USB drive can save you both time and trouble should you ever need to reinstall Windows, and the app is free.
Summary
It's a good idea to have a Windows 10 boot drive. Creating the drive sounds complicated, but it isn't. All you need is a reliable internet connection, and then follow these steps:
- Go to this page.
- Scroll down to Create Windows Installation Media.
- Click on the Download tool now.
- Double-click the file called MediaCreationToolxxxx.
- Select Create installation media from the list of options.
- Accept Microsoft's terms and conditions.
- Select Create installation media for another PC.
- Click Next.
- Adjust your settings as needed.
- Select:
- Language.
- Edition.
- Architecture.
- USB flash drive.
- Click Next.
- Plug your USB drive into your computer.
- Select Next.
- Double-check that you're selecting the proper drive for your USB thumb drive, as this process erases all existing data on the thumb drive.
- Click Next.
- Click Finish, and you now have a Windows 10 boot drive.
Following these instructions, you can also use the media tool to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10.