Installing Windows can seem daunting, but it's actually a straightforward process. Here's a detailed guide to help you through it:
1. Gather Your Supplies
- USB Drive: You'll need a blank USB drive with at least 8GB of space.
- Windows Installation Media: Download the Windows ISO file from Microsoft's website. (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10).
- Computer: Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the Windows version you're installing.
- Product Key: You'll need a valid product key to activate Windows.
2. Create a Bootable USB Drive
- Download the Windows ISO File: Download the Windows ISO file from the Microsoft website. This file contains the Windows installation files.
- Use a USB Drive Creation Tool: Microsoft offers a tool called Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive. You can download it from the same website where you downloaded the ISO file.
- Follow the Instructions: The Media Creation Tool will guide you through the process of creating a bootable USB drive. Just select the USB drive you want to use and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Boot from the USB Drive
- Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer and press the BIOS/UEFI setup key during the startup. This key is typically F2, F10, Delete, or Esc.
- Change Boot Order: In the BIOS/UEFI setup, navigate to the Boot section and change the boot order to prioritize your USB drive.
- Save and Exit: Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup. Your computer should now boot from the USB drive.
4. Follow the On-Screen Instructions
- Select Language and Keyboard Layout: Choose your preferred language and keyboard layout.
- Install Now: Click on the Install Now button to begin the installation process.
- Accept License Terms: Read and accept the Windows license terms.
- Choose Installation Type: Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) if you want to choose a specific partition for installation.
- Select Partition: Choose the partition where you want to install Windows.
- Format Partition (Optional): If you want to completely erase the selected partition, you can format it.
- Install Windows: The installation process will take some time.
5. Configure Windows
- Create a User Account: Create a user account and set a password.
- Connect to a Network: Connect your computer to a Wi-Fi network or Ethernet cable.
- Install Updates: Windows will automatically download and install the latest updates.
- Activate Windows: Enter your product key to activate Windows.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Windows.
