How to Install Windows 8 from USB (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

If you often find yourself reinstalling Windows, you may choose to make your life easier by creating an installation USB stick. This means you no longer have to worry about not scratching the installation DVD or downloading setup files every time. Follow this guide to turn a USB stick into an installation device!

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Create a Windows 8 ISO Image

Step 1. Install a free burning program

A large number of burning utilities can be found online. You will need one of these programs to create the ISO image.

If you received your copy of Windows 8 from Microsoft as a downloadable ISO, skip to the next chapter

Step 2. Insert the Windows 8 DVD

Open your burning program. Look for an option similar to "Copy to Image" or "Create Image". If asked, select your DVD player as the source.

Step 3. Save the ISO file

Choose a file path and name that are easy to remember. The size of the ISO file will be equal to the size of the original disc. This means that the file could grow to several gigabytes in size. Make sure you have enough space available.

Creating an ISO image can take a long time, depending on the speed of your computer and DVD player

Part 2 of 4: Create a Startup Disk

Step 1. Download the Windows 7 USB / DVD download tool

This software can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft website. Despite the name, this tool also works with Windows 8 ISO images and all other versions of Windows.

Step 2. Select the source file

This file is the ISO image you created or downloaded in the previous section. Click Browse to find the file. Once you have selected the right file, click Next.

Step 3. Select the USB device

The program will allow you to create a DVD or an installation stick. Click on USB Device.

Step 4. Choose the USB drive from the list of drives

Make sure the flash drive is properly connected to your computer. You will need at least 4Gb of free space on the stick to copy the Windows installation. Click on Start Copying.

Step 5. Let the program work

The program will format the USB stick so that it can be used as a startup disk, using the ISO image. This can take up to 15 minutes, depending on your computer.

Part 3 of 4: Configuring the Computer to Boot from USB

Step 1. Open the BIOS

To boot the system from a USB drive you will need to change the boot configuration directly in the BIOS. To open the BIOS, restart your computer and press the key indicated under the motherboard logo. This key varies depending on the motherboard manufacturer, typically it is F2, F10, F12, or Del (Del).

Step 2. Navigate to the Boot or Boot menu of the BIOS

As the first boot device insert the USB drive. Make sure the memory stick is plugged into your computer, or you may not see it in the start menu. Depending on the BIOS manufacturer, it may say Removable Device or the model name of the USB stick.

Step 3. Save changes and reboot

If you have configured the boot order correctly, the Windows 8 installer will load after the motherboard manufacturer logo.

Part 4 of 4: Install Windows 8

Step 1. Select your language

Once the installation of Windows 8 begins, you will be asked to set a language, a time zone, a monetary currency and a keyboard layout. Once done, click Next.

Step 2. Click Install Now

This will begin the installation process. The other option presented to you is to repair an existing Windows installation.

Step 3. Enter the serial number

This is the 25-character license key that came with the Windows 8 CD. It may also be on a sticker attached to your computer or under the laptop.

• Do not insert hyphens between one character group and another.

  

• This step is mandatory. While other versions of Windows allowed you to continue with the installation and register the product within 60 days of installation, you now need to provide your license number if you want the installation to continue.

Step 4. Accept the license agreement, check the box where you agree to the license agreement and click Next

Step 5. Click Custom Installation

You will be presented with two options to install Windows. Choosing Custom Installation will allow you to perform a full installation of Windows 8. Selecting Upgrade may cause system problems in the long run. We strongly recommend Custom Installation.

Step 6. Delete the partition

A window will appear asking the user to select a partition in which to install Windows 8. To perform a clean installation you will need to delete the old partition and create a new one. Select on "Drive Options (Advanced)". In this window you can create and delete partitions.

• Select the partition with the old operating system and click on the "Delete" button.

  

• If, on the other hand, you are installing the operating system for the first time on this hard disk, you will not have to delete any partitions.

  

• If your hard drive has more than one partition, be sure to delete the correct one. Any data on the deleted partition will be lost forever.

• Confirm the deletion process.

  

Step 7. Select "Unallocated Space" and click "Next"

There is no need to create a partition before installing Windows 8, it will be created automatically.

Step 8. Wait for the installer to finish copying the Windows files

The progress bar will fill up as the installation is completed. This process can take up to 30 minutes.

• Windows will automatically restart your computer once the installation is complete.

  

Step 9. Wait for Windows to finish collecting information

As the computer restarts, you will see the Windows 8 logo, underneath it will be written "Preparing the devices", followed by a percentage of progress. Windows is collecting information about the hardware installed on the computer.

• Once finished, it will say "Preparation" under the logo.
• The computer will restart once more.

Step 10. Personalize your Windows 8

Once the computer has finished rebooting, you will be prompted to choose a color scheme for your Windows 8 installation.

You can change the color anytime you want from the Windows 8 settings

Step 11. Enter a name for the computer

This will be the computer name as it appears on the network. Any other device on the network will see the computer with this call sign.

Step 12. Choose a wireless network

If you have a computer or wireless device you will see a menu where you can choose to connect to a wireless network. If you haven't yet installed the driver for your wireless adapter, this step will be skipped automatically.

Step 13. Choose your settings

The most common option is the quick setup, which will enable automatic updates, Windows Defender, and error reporting at Microsoft, among other things.

• If you'd rather configure these features yourself, choose the Customize option.

  

Step 14. Create an account

To log into Windows you will need an account. Microsoft recommends using a Microsoft account to be able to make purchases in the Windows store. If you don't have a Microsoft account, enter a valid email address to create one for free.

• If you don't have a new email address, click on "Register for a new email address" to create one. You will need an internet connection.

  

• If you prefer to log in the old way, that is, without using a Microsoft account, click on the button at the bottom. This way you can create an account similar to other versions of Windows.

  

Step 15. Watch the tutorial as Windows finishes loading

After configuring the various settings, Windows will take you to the final stage of the installation. You'll see several screenshots explaining how to use the new Windows. Once Windows has loaded, you will be shown the Start screen. You are now ready to use Windows 8.

Warnings

• Doing so will erase all data on your USB stick. Make sure you make a backup of all important data contained within it.
• Reinstalling Windows may erase all your personal data like photos, music, saved games, etc. So be sure to make a backup copy of this data before reinstalling Windows.