How to create a copy of Windows software

Updated: 07/06/2021 by Computer Hope

Windows logo

Today, CDs and DVDs are used far less due to much faster and smaller storage media with more pregnant capacities (e.thou., USB flash drives). Consequently, many users don't have (or never had) a Windows installation disc. Still, you lot can create an ISO image file and load it on a USB bulldoze, CD-R, or DVD-R using the steps outlined below.

Afterwards doing and so, you would and then employ the disc or USB bulldoze to reinstall Windows to your calculator, restoring its factory settings. This procedure is used when you need to format your computer's hard drive. Likewise, if y'all're installing a new difficult drive on your computer or laptop, you need this bootable disc or USB drive to install a fresh re-create of Windows.

Notation

While each of these copies of Windows software are free, you demand a valid product fundamental to actuate and use them legally.

Windows 10

  1. In a web browser, become to the Windows 10 installation media page.
  2. Under the Create Windows x installation media section, click the Download tool now button. push button.
  3. After the tool finishes downloading, run and install it.
  4. On the next screen, click the circle side by side to Create installation media for some other PC, and then click the Next button in Windows. button.
  5. Ensure that the box adjacent to Use the recommended options for this PC is checked, so click the Next button in Windows. button.

Checkbox for using the recommended installation options for Windows.

  1. On the adjacent screen, choose USB flash drive ( A ) or ISO file ( B ), and and then click Adjacent ( C ).

Screen where you choose where to download an ISO.

Note

Nosotros recommend choosing the USB flash drive option as information technology is a faster and better storage medium. Also, many new computers don't accept a DVD-ROM drive.

  1. Locate your USB flash drive in File Explorer or choose another download location.
  2. Once your download has finished, y'all may utilise it to install the Windows ten operating organisation.
  • How to install the Microsoft Windows operating organization.

Note

If y'all chose to download the ISO file, you demand to burn it to a DVD before using it to install Windows.

Windows 7 and 8.1

The steps for Windows 7 and viii.ane are well-nigh identical; the merely deviation is when you're prompted to enter your production fundamental.

  1. Open your browser and become to the Windows 7 disc image page or the Windows eight.i disc prototype page.
  2. Windows 7 users need to enter their product cardinal, and so click the Verify button in Windows. button.
  3. Select your edition (A), click Confirm (B), select your language (C), and so click Confirm ( D ) once again.

Options for creating an ISO in Windows 8.1.

  1. Select 64-bit Download or 32-chip Download, depending on the version of Windows on your computer.

Select 64 or 32-bit buttons.

  • How to determine if you have a 32-chip or 64-chip CPU.
  1. Once your download has finished, you tin can create a USB flash drive re-create or burn down a DVD.

Putting the ISO on a USB flash drive

Later opening the ISO in File Explorer, you can drag-and-driblet the file to a USB flash bulldoze.

ISO file being copied to a thumb drive.

Burning a re-create to a DVD

  1. Open up the ISO file in File Explorer.
  2. Correct-click the ISO file, and select Fire disc image from the context menu.

Option to burn a Windows disc image.

  1. In the window that appears, cull your DVD burner drive and click the Burn button in Windows 10. button.