Windows 10 Users Must Do This Now!

Summary

With Windows 10's end-of-life approaching in October 2025, it's crucial to prepare for potential problems by creating a bootable USB drive with the OS. This video guides users through the process, highlighting the importance of having a bootable USB drive for reinstallation or recovery after the support ends. It covers how to use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to download Windows 10 and create bootable media, as well as how to use third-party software like Rufus for more customization. Act now to ensure you have the necessary tools before it's too late.

Takeaways

• 😀 Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14th, 2025, requiring action to avoid major issues with the OS.
• 😀 It's crucial to create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 10 before this deadline, as Microsoft will no longer offer support or downloadable media after this date.
• 😀 USB flash drives are affordable and a great tool for creating bootable installation media for Windows 10.
• 😀 Once Windows 10 reaches end of life, the official download page and media creation tools will disappear, making it hard to reinstall Windows.
• 😀 To prepare, download the Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft's website and create a bootable USB drive with it.
• 😀 When using the media creation tool, select the correct language, architecture, and edition options for your system's needs.
• 😀 For older systems, it's recommended to choose the 'both' architecture option (64-bit and 32-bit) when creating installation media.
• 😀 The media creation tool will erase all data on the USB drive, so ensure you back up any important files before proceeding.
• 😀 After creating the bootable USB drive, download the ISO file as an alternative option, useful for creating additional bootable media with other tools like Rufus.
• 😀 Using Rufus for creating bootable drives provides advanced customization, such as the ability to bypass Microsoft account login and disable data collection during Windows installation.
• 😀 Having a Windows 10 bootable USB flash drive ready before October 2025 will help avoid the risk of using unreliable ISOs from the internet, ensuring you can safely reinstall or recover Windows 10.

Q & A

Why is it important for Windows 10 users to create a bootable USB drive before October 14th, 2025?

Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14th, 2025, meaning Microsoft will stop offering support, updates, and the ability to download the OS. Creating a bootable USB ensures users can reinstall Windows 10 without relying on potentially unreliable sources after that date.

What is the minimum size requirement for the USB flash drive to create Windows 10 installation media?

The USB flash drive should be at least 8 GB in size to create a bootable Windows 10 installation media.

What will happen if users don’t create a bootable USB drive with Windows 10 before the deadline?

After October 14th, 2025, users will no longer be able to download the Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft, leaving them at risk of not being able to reinstall or repair their Windows 10 systems.

Why is it recommended to use Microsoft's media creation tool over downloading an ISO from third-party websites?

Downloading an ISO from third-party websites can be risky, as the files may be tampered with. Using Microsoft's media creation tool ensures the file is legitimate and safe, coming directly from Microsoft.

What are the advantages of using Rufus over Microsoft’s media creation tool?

Rufus provides more customization options, such as selecting file systems, partition schemes, and configuring advanced installation settings, which are not available in Microsoft's media creation tool.

What file system should you select when using Rufus to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10?

You should select the NTFS file system when using Rufus to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10.

What is the difference between the GPT and MBR partition schemes in Rufus?

GPT (GUID Partition Table) is used for newer systems with UEFI, while MBR (Master Boot Record) is for older systems that use BIOS. The partition scheme should match the system’s boot mode.

How can users avoid being forced to create a Microsoft account during Windows 10 installation?

By using Rufus and customizing the installation settings, users can opt for a local account setup instead of a Microsoft account during the installation process.

What privacy settings can be customized when creating a bootable Windows 10 USB with Rufus?

Rufus allows users to disable data collection, skip privacy-related questions, and even disable BitLocker automatic device encryption during the Windows 10 installation process.

Why is it recommended to keep a copy of the ISO file after creating the bootable USB drive?

Keeping a copy of the ISO file allows users to create additional bootable USB drives in the future, providing a backup option if the original drive is lost or damaged.