Downloading directly from the company’s website is also possible for Windows 7 and Windows 8, for example. In the case of Windows 10, this can be done completely legally via the media creation tool from Microsoft. But it’s simpler to just download the required operating system from the internet. You can create such an ISO file yourself, though, for example with the use of tools like WinISO, UltraISO, or the burn program InfraRecorder.
Today, Windows is generally preinstalled on a system partition of a matching PC or laptop. These files used to be found on a CD- or DVD-ROM, which came with a new computer or could be acquired separately.
If the drive is already being used, make sure that it doesn’t contain any important or indispensable data.
To obtain a high working speed (or enable the creation of a portable operating system), the selected drive should support the standard USB 3.0.
The first option seems a bit complicated at first glance, and because of the various manual steps is slightly more error-prone, but it’s still doable even if you’re not an expert. There are basically two possible methods: either manually or using automated tools.
The drive also serves as a “clean” reinstallation of the operating system if it’s become too slow as a result of accumulated garbage.Įxperienced computer experts and IT professionals also like to use a bootable USB as a “ portable operating system” (the concept is known as “Windows2Go” for Microsoft). You can also use a bootable USB to upgrade Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 if a previously automatic upgrade doesn’t function correctly. Even if no such PC emergency is present, it’s a good idea to have a Windows image for data backup on a USB-capable storage medium (could also be an external hard drive) on hand.