Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

How to download windows 10 through usb on new pc with no OS

Mar 27, 2018 11:00AM PDT

I have windows 10 on a usb (downloaded for free through the Microsoft website) and when I plug it into my new pc and I go through the windows download setup it stops me when j chose the drive and says it doesnt work (I dont have a hard drive) what do I need to do?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
This can happen for a few reasons.
Mar 27, 2018 11:08AM PDT

1. The target machine is one of those mystery (Why?) machines with 16 or 32GB drives. Very painful to install as you may need a driver from the maker.

2. It's a "Signature PC" which you need special instructions from the maker. These for a time locked out Linux as well as Windows.

3. The drive is not blank. Sometimes folk format a drive. Start with the drive blank, no partitions.

4. The PC is defective.

- Collapse -
Answer
Well before you get started the Windows 10 free download
Mar 28, 2018 5:56AM PDT

is for an upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. To install it it will require one of those or you have done the upgrade once before on the PC which will create Digital Entitlement. Installing on a new PC will require you purchase either the OEM or retail Windows 10 products.

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: download
Mar 29, 2018 12:38AM PDT

You downloaded the setup program on a USB. That's OK.

But you need a hard disk to install it on to use Windows. And, moreover, you need a license key, since downloading is free, but installing isn't.

- Collapse -
The original post says there is no hard drive
Mar 29, 2018 4:05AM PDT

So if that is intentional and there is not going to be a hard drive or SSD, then the Windows install will not work but will do as you are posting. Windows is not meant to run as an OS from the USB flash drive, only to install. Linux distros can run from a "Live" USB flash or DVD but making Windows do that has never been intended though some claim to have accomplished it with some versions of Windows. Definitely not with the Windows 10 download you described, however.