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Home / How to Copy Windows 10 Os From Laptop to Pendrive

How to Copy Windows 10 Os From Laptop to Pendrive

How to create a copy of Windows software

Updated: 07/06/2021 by Computer Hope

Windows logo

Today, CDs and DVDs are used far less due to much faster and smaller storage media with more significant capacities (e.g., USB flash drives). Consequently, many users don't have (or never had) a Windows installation disc. However, you can create an ISO image file and load it on a USB drive, CD-R, or DVD-R using the steps outlined below.

After doing so, you would then use the disc or USB drive to reinstall Windows to your computer, restoring its factory settings. This process is used when you need to format your computer's hard drive. Likewise, if you're installing a new hard drive on your computer or laptop, you need this bootable disc or USB drive to install a fresh copy of Windows.

Note

While each of these copies of Windows software are free, you need a valid product key to activate and use them legally.

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 7 and 8.1

Windows 10

  1. In a web browser, go to the Windows 10 installation media page.
  2. Under the Create Windows 10 installation media section, click the Download tool now button. button.
  3. After the tool finishes downloading, run and install it.
  4. On the next screen, click the circle next to Create installation media for another PC, and then click the Next button in Windows. button.
  5. Ensure that the box next to Use the recommended options for this PC is checked, and then click the Next button in Windows. button.

Checkbox for using the recommended installation options for Windows.

  1. On the next screen, choose USB flash drive ( A ) or ISO file ( B ), and then click Next ( C ).

Screen where you choose where to download an ISO.

Note

We recommend choosing the USB flash drive option as it is a faster and better storage medium. Also, many new computers don't have a DVD-ROM drive.

  1. Locate your USB flash drive in File Explorer or choose another download location.
  2. Once your download has finished, you may use it to install the Windows 10 operating system.
  • How to install the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Note

If you chose to download the ISO file, you need to burn it to a DVD before using it to install Windows.

Windows 7 and 8.1

The steps for Windows 7 and 8.1 are nearly identical; the only difference is when you're prompted to enter your product key.

  1. Open your browser and go to the Windows 7 disc image page or the Windows 8.1 disc image page.
  2. Windows 7 users need to enter their product key, and then click the Verify button in Windows. button.
  3. Select your edition (A), click Confirm (B), select your language (C), and then click Confirm ( D ) again.

Options for creating an ISO in Windows 8.1.

  1. Select 64-bit Download or 32-bit Download, depending on the version of Windows on your computer.

Select 64 or 32-bit buttons.

  • How to determine if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit CPU.
  1. Once your download has finished, you can create a USB flash drive copy or burn a DVD.

Putting the ISO on a USB flash drive

After opening the ISO in File Explorer, you can drag-and-drop the file to a USB flash drive.

ISO file being copied to a thumb drive.

Burning a copy to a DVD

  1. Open the ISO file in File Explorer.
  2. Right-click the ISO file, and select Burn disc image from the context menu.

Option to burn a Windows disc image.

  1. In the window that appears, choose your DVD burner drive and click the Burn button in Windows 10. button.

How to Copy Windows 10 Os From Laptop to Pendrive

Source: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000152.htm