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Booting from a USB device can be incredibly useful for various tasks, such as installing a new operating system, running diagnostic tools, recovering data, or trying out a live Linux distribution. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of booting from a USB drive on Windows 10 PCs, including how to prepare your USB drive, change BIOS settings, and troubleshoot common issues.
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand what booting from a USB device means and why you might want to do it.
Booting from USB refers to the process of starting your computer using software or an operating system stored on a USB drive instead of your computer’s main hard drive. This allows you to run different operating systems, recovery tools, or installation programs from a USB flash drive without affecting the data on your main drive.
There are several reasons you might want to boot from a USB drive:
Now that we understand the basics, let’s move on to preparing your USB drive.
Before you can boot from a flash drive, you need to prepare it properly. This involves choosing the right USB drive and creating bootable media.
When selecting a USB drive for booting, consider the following:
To create bootable media, you’ll need to use specific tools depending on your purpose:
Remember to back up any important data on your USB drive before creating bootable media, as the process will erase all existing data on the drive.
To boot from USB, you’ll need to change your computer’s boot order in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) settings. Here are two methods to access these settings:
If you’re unsure about your specific model’s hotkey, check your computer’s manual or look for on-screen prompts during startup.
This method is useful if you can’t catch the BIOS hotkey during startup:
Once you’ve accessed the BIOS/UEFI settings, follow these steps to change the boot order:
Now that you’ve prepared your bootable USB flash drive and changed the boot order, you’re ready to boot from USB:
The next steps will depend on what you’re using the bootable USB for:
If you’re having trouble booting from your USB drive, try these troubleshooting steps:
For more advanced users, there are additional techniques you can explore:
You can create a single USB stick with multiple bootable operating systems or tools using software like YUMI or MultiBootUSB. This is useful for tech professionals who need access to various tools and OS environments.
When creating a Linux live USB, you can add persistence, which allows you to save changes and installed programs even after rebooting. This creates a portable, customizable Linux environment on your USB drive.
When booting from external media like USB drives, keep these security considerations in mind:
Booting from a USB drive on Windows 10 can be a powerful tool for system recovery, OS installation, and trying out new software environments. By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to successfully boot from your USB drive and accomplish a wide range of tasks.
Remember that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your specific computer model and BIOS/UEFI version. Always consult your computer’s manual or manufacturer’s website if you encounter any model-specific issues.
For those looking to upgrade their hardware for better USB booting performance, consider the HP Laptop 15-fd1094TU, which offers fast USB 3.0 ports and a powerful processor to handle various bootable environments efficiently.
Whether you’re troubleshooting a system issue, installing a new OS, or exploring alternative computing environments, the ability to boot from USB opens up a world of possibilities for your Windows 10 PC.
Mon-Fri 8:30AM to 5:30PM
(exc. Public Holidays)
Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm
(exc. Public Holidays)
Live product demo