Today we are going to learn how to install Windows 10 from scratch. This guide assumes that you already have an ISO or a bootable USB created. If you are using a non Windows OS, the ISO file can be downloaded from here. On a Windows Installation you can download the ISO or create a bootable USB using the Windows Media Creation Tool which can be found here.
Ready to go?
The first thing we want to do is boot the Installation Media. I am going to be installing on a Proxmox Virtual Machine, and I am using the October 2020 ISO.
Initial Installation:
This is the first screen of the installation. If you already have a Windows installation, this screen is also a place where you can repair an existing installation. Here you will want to select “Install Now”
The next screen allows you to select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard. Select whichever settings you need here, and then select the “Next” button.
In this screen, enter your Windows Product Key to activate Windows. If you don’t have a product key (it can be entered later), or are simply reinstalling windows, select “I don’t have a product key.” Select “Next” After inserting your product key.
Here is where you want to select your edition of Windows. Most of you will either select “Windows 10 Home” or “Windows 10 pro.” Match the edition here with the product key that you have purchased, or the current version of Windows on your system. After you select your Windows Edition, select “Next.”
This step is common across all software installation. It’s the License Agreement. Read through, check the box next to “I accept the license terms,” and select “Next.”
If you are reinstalling windows over your previous installation and would like to preserve User Data, select the “Upgrade” option. This will install windows only files and keep your user data intact. Otherwise, select “Custom” (which i will be selecting) to format the disk and install a fresh copy of Windows.
If you have multiple hard drives, they will all show up here. Select the drive that you want Windows installed to. Select “Next” when finished.
Windows will now start the install. This process could take some time depending on your computer specifications, but generally goes pretty quick.
Secondary Installation/ Personal Configuration
The computer is going to reboot and Windows will continue its installation.
We are now in the installation configuration. It will ask you general questions about how you would like Windows to handle certain things. First step is your region, select your country here and select “Yes.”
Now we have to select the keyboard layout again. Select yours and and hit “Yes.”
If you would like to use any additional keyboard layouts add them here, otherwise, most users can select “Skip.”
Windows will be installing itself in the background. And may show you some features.
This step is for our installation preference. Most of you will use the “Set up for personal use” option. This option is for home users, the other option, “Set up for an organization” will allow you to connect to your organization with specific credentials. I selected the personal use option here. Select “Next” when finished.
Next we want to add our Microsoft Account. If you do not have a Microsoft account you can create one by selecting “Create Account.” If you want to use an offline account here select “Offline Account” in the bottom left corner. Please note: this option may not be available if your computer is connected to the internet. If you want an offline account, make sure your computer is NOT connected to the Internet.
Here select a PIN to help secure your computer. This option is used for logging into your computer without requiring your Microsoft Account password every time. Select “Create PIN” to enter the pin number setup.
Enter your ping here and select “OK.”
The next screen is privacy settings. These settings are ones you can choose about sharing data with Microsoft including speech, diagnostic, tailored ads, etc. Select any custom options here or simply select “Accept” to use the default values.
This step is for linking your phone number with your Microsoft account for cloud based features. Enter your phone number or select “Do it later,” which is on the bottom left of the screen. I selected “Do it later.”
This screen allows you to sync your account with OneDrive, which is the Microsoft Cloud storage system. Doing this will save documents, pictures, and desktop items inside OneDrive. If a crash happens, your documents are securely stored in the cloud, and can be both accessed and/or recovered from there. In the event that you would not like your documents backed up in the cloud, you can select “Only save files to this PC.” This option will save your documents locally to the computer instead of syncing them with the cloud.
The next step is whether or not you would like to include Office365 in your installation. “Try for free” requires a credit card for a 1-month free trial, or select “No thanks” to not include Office365. Alternatively select “I have a product key” to use your own purchased version.
This step asks whether or not you would like to use Cortana, Microsoft’s smart virtual assistant. If you would not like to use Cortana, select “Not now.” Otherwise select “Accept” to turn on Cortana.
In this step, the installation will finish, which may take some time.
And there you have it! You have successfully installed Windows 10!
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this guide useful. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please drop a comment!
Stay tunes for more content and thanks for reading!
