Installing Windows 10 on an HP Laptop Using a USB Drive
So, you’ve got an HP laptop and want to install Windows 10 from a USB? No worries — it’s a pretty solid plan, just keep in mind you might run into a few teething issues along the way. First up, grab a USB stick with at least 8GB of storage. Need to download the Windows 10 installation files? Head over to Microsoft’s website and get the media creation tool — it’ll help you turn that USB into a bootable drive.
Heads up: running this tool will wipe everything off the USB, so make sure there’s nothing important on it before you start!
Make Your USB Bootable
Once you’ve downloaded the media creation tool, open it up and select the “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” option. It will download the necessary files and prepare your USB to boot. Surprisingly straightforward, but it pays to take your time — no rushing here.
Command to start the process:
MediaCreationTool.exe (you’ll find it where you saved the download).
Booting from the USB Drive
With your USB ready, turn off your HP laptop. Plug in the USB stick, press the power button, and immediately tap the Esc key. You want to catch the boot menu before it loads your current OS. Use that menu to select the USB drive as the boot device. If all goes well, your laptop will start loading Windows installation files from the USB instead of the existing OS.
Note: If this doesn’t work, you might need to tweak some BIOS settings. Especially, make sure Secure Boot is disabled — older versions of Windows often require it that way.
Adjusting BIOS Settings (If Needed)
If your laptop refuses to boot from the USB, it’s time to dive into the BIOS. Restart and repeatedly hit F10 (or Esc, then F10) until the BIOS menu appears. Find the Boot Options section and set your USB drive as the first boot priority. Also, locate the Secure Boot setting and turn it off if it’s enabled. Windows often prefers that you do.
Remember: Navigating BIOS involves using the arrow keys, not a mouse — no shortcuts there.
Following the Installation Wizard
Once you boot from the USB, you’ll be guided through the Windows setup process. You’ll choose your language, keyboard layout, and then click “Install Now”. Watch out for the screen asking how to set up your drives. If you’re installing Windows fresh, you can delete existing partitions — just be sure you’ve backed up anything important first.
Partitioning commands:
diskpart lets you get deeper into drive management via the command prompt: commands like list disk, select disk 0, and clean will wipe your drive clean and prepare it for a fresh install.
Finalising the Setup
After Windows finishes installing, your laptop will reboot. This is when you’ll set your preferences, create a user account, and connect to Wi-Fi. A quick tip: if your Wi-Fi network doesn’t show up, click the network icon in the taskbar — it might be hiding. Check under Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi if needed. Once connected, your shiny new Windows 10 should be ready to go.
Good to know: If your previous Windows was activated, it might activate automatically once you connect online again.
Tips to Keep the Hassle Down
Keep your laptop plugged in during the install — losing power halfway through can corrupt the installation. Also, having your product key handy could save hassle later on; it’s handy if Windows doesn’t activate automatically.
Just in case: if you think it will activate automatically, sometimes it doesn’t. You might need to enter the key later via Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
Check Activation Status: run slmgr /xpr in Command Prompt to see if your copy is activated.
What If the USB Isn’t Recognised?
If your PC won’t recognise the USB during startup, it’s usually a formatting issue. The drive should be formatted as FAT32 or NTFS — other formats may cause hiccups. Also, consider trying different tools like Rufus or re-running the media creation tool to prepare the USB ISO; sometimes that’s all it takes.
BIOS Update Tip: It’s a good idea to keep your BIOS firmware up to date — check with HP Support Assistant or use fwupd if you’re on Linux.
Wrapping It Up
All in all, installing Windows 10 on your HP laptop with a USB isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s not completely hassle-free either. Follow the steps carefully, double-check your BIOS settings, and be prepared for the odd hiccup. If something seems off, forums and official support sites are your mates. Keep your Windows up to date, and fingers crossed, the setup will go smoothly on the first go!