To download Windows 10 onto a USB drive, go to Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page on a Windows PC, click Download Now to get the Media Creation Tool, and run it. Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, select USB flash drive, and pick your drive. The tool downloads Windows 10 and makes the drive bootable in about 20 to 60 minutes. You need a USB drive with at least 8 GB, and everything on it will be erased.
Keep in mind that Windows 10 reached its end of support on October 14, 2025. It still installs and works, but it only gets security updates through Microsoft’s paid Extended Security Updates program. If your PC supports Windows 11, make a Windows 11 USB instead.
What you need
- A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB. Back up anything on it first.
- A Windows PC with an internet connection to run the tool. For a Mac, see the section below.
- About 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your internet speed.
How to create a Windows 10 USB with the Media Creation Tool
- Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows10.
- Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download Now.
- Open the downloaded file (MediaCreationTool22H2.exe or similar) and click Yes if Windows asks for permission.
- Click Accept on the license terms.
- Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
- Check the language, edition, and architecture. To change them, uncheck Use the recommended options for this PC. Choose 64-bit (x64) for almost every modern PC. Click Next.
- Select USB flash drive and click Next.
- Choose your USB drive from the list. Click Refresh drive list if it doesn’t appear. Click Next.
- Wait while the tool downloads Windows 10 and creates the drive. You can keep using your PC.
- When you see Your USB flash drive is ready, click Finish.
The drive works on both Windows 10 Home and Pro. The edition you get is decided by your product key or digital license during setup.
Alternative: Download the ISO and use Rufus
Use this if the Media Creation Tool gives an error, or you want more control over the drive.
- In the Media Creation Tool, choose ISO file instead of USB flash drive and save it. (On a Mac or Linux PC, Microsoft’s download page offers the ISO directly.)
- Download Rufus from its official website, rufus.ie.
- Open Rufus, select your USB drive under Device, and click Select to choose the ISO.
- Set Partition scheme to GPT for modern UEFI PCs, or MBR for older PCs that use Legacy BIOS.
- Click Start, confirm that the drive will be erased, and wait for it to finish.
Making a Windows 10 USB on a Mac
The Media Creation Tool only runs on Windows. On a Mac, download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s website. The main Windows installer file in the ISO is larger than 4 GB, which is too big for the FAT32 format most PCs need to boot a USB drive, so dragging the files over won’t work. You’ll need to split the file with a free tool like wimlib (installed with Homebrew) or use a Windows PC. Using a friend’s Windows PC for 30 minutes is usually easier.
How to use the USB drive
- Plug the drive into the PC you want to install Windows on.
- Restart the PC and press the boot menu key, such as F12, F11, or Esc.
- Choose the USB drive and follow the Windows Setup prompts.
For boot keys by brand and fixes if the drive doesn’t show up, see how to boot Windows 10 from USB.
To upgrade or repair the current PC without booting from the drive, open the USB in File Explorer and double-click setup.exe.
Media Creation Tool not working?
- “There was a problem running this tool” (error codes like 0x80042405 or 0x8007043C): Right-click the tool and choose Run as administrator, temporarily turn off third-party antivirus, and make sure you have at least 8 GB of free space on your PC’s C: drive.
- USB drive not listed: Use a drive of 8 GB or larger, plug it directly into the PC, and click Refresh drive list.
- Stuck at a percentage: Give it time on slow connections. If it doesn’t move for over an hour, restart the PC and try again, or use the ISO and Rufus method.
- Download keeps failing: Try a wired connection, or save an ISO file first and write it with Rufus.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to download Windows 10?
Yes, the download and the Media Creation Tool are free. You still need a valid license to activate Windows after installing it.
Can I still download Windows 10 in 2026?
Yes. Microsoft still offers the Windows 10 download, even though regular support has ended.
Will this USB work on any PC?
It works on any PC that meets Windows 10’s requirements and can boot from USB. Use the 64-bit version for modern PCs.
Can I use the USB drive for other files afterward?
Yes. When you’re done installing, you can format the drive and use it normally.
Matthew Burleigh is the head writer at solveyourtech.com, where he covers topics like the iPhone, Microsoft Office, and Google apps. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of IT experience.
He has been writing online since 2008 and has published thousands of articles that have been read millions of times.