Windows 10 Tips & Tricks

MS Media Creation Tool

This is a How To on creating Installation Media (DVD, USB or external HD) for the Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System. These Instructions can be used as a basis for creating Installation Media for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

Download the MS Media Creation Tool (MediaCreationTool.exe) from: Here

Run the MediaCreationTool executable, Administrator Privileges may be needed. (select) the Yes Button if presented with a User Account Control Warning. The Windows 10 Setup Application should appear, at this Point. (select) the Accept Button (if you do) to the Software License Agreement. Windows 10 Setup can upgrade the PC its being run on or create Installation Media. (select) "upgrade this PC" or "Create Installation Media" then the Next Button.

Choose the appropriate Architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), the Edition and the Language desired. A valid Product Key will be needed, in most cases. The Product Keys, normally, allow the installation of either the 32-bit or 64-bit Architecture of the Operating System. Check what the Computer's Processor is capable of running. The CPU will be designated as a 64-bit Based Processor, if it's capable of running the 64-bit Version of the OS. A 64-bit capable Processor can run either Architecture. A 32-bit Based Processor can only run the 32-bit (x86) Version of Windows. Windows 64-bit is more Secure and capable of recognizing a greater amount of RAM. Most, if not all, newer Processors are 64-bit Based (x64). Choose the Edition that matches the Product Key. Choose "Windows 10", which will download all Editions. Choose a particular Edition to reduce Download Size and Time. Then, ofcourse, choose the Language needed. If un-sure which Options are right for the Installation, (select) "Use the recommended options for this PC" and the Windows 10 Setup will do its best to make the proper Choices automatically.

(select) the Next Button.

Choose "USB Flash Drive" to allow Windows 10 Setup to create a bootable USB Drive or "ISO File" to create the Media outside the Windows 10 Setup Program. The blank Media needed will have to be 8GBs or greater in Size. If using the Windows 10 Setup to create the Media, make sure that Media is available\connected to the Computer. After that, (select) the Next Button.

Now, that USB Media has been created or the ISO has been downloaded. Either, re-boot into the USB Drive or run setup.exe from the USB Drive to start the Installation or create the Media from the ISO, to do so. Windows 7 - 10 will burn the ISO File to a DVD without any third-party Software being installed.

(select) the Finish Button

If it is intended to create the Installation Media from the .iso File to something other than a DVD, a third-party Utility will be needed. I use Rufus. Download Rufus from Here
In order to allow Rufus the ability to see an external USB Hard Drive, under Format Options (select) "List USB Hard Drives". Rufus should see USB Thumb-Drives by default.

Requirements:
A blank DVD (DL), USB Thumb-Drive or external Hard Drive with a capacity of atleast 8GB, a reliable Internet Connection, a valid Windows Product Key, the ability to create Media form an .iso Image (rufus.exe shown).