Easy Windows 10 Installation Guide for Beginners

Our step-by-step guide makes Windows 10 upgrades easy. You will smoothly transition to Microsoft's latest operating system with our guidance from system preparation to installation.

Posted by @Irene December 17, 2024 Updated By @Irene April 19, 2024

Need to Install Windows 10 on SSD?

SSD is short for Solid State Drive. It is a storage device that uses integrated circuit components to store data persistently, usually using flash memory. SSD is a description of a static hard drive which is a storage device that uses integrated circuit components to permanently store data, which typically uses fixed hard drive flash speeds faster compared to hard drives, since they use a flash to read and write data while the hard disk uses a rotating plate to read data.

In addition, hard drives in the hard state do not have any active components, so they are safer and more resistant to shocks and vibrations, and help reduce noise during operation. Moreover, a small fixed hard drive can save a lot of valuable space for a computer cabinet, depending on these advantages of a static hard drive. Most Windows users mostly want to install Windows 10 on new SSD.

How to Install Windows 10 on SSD?

We are going to show you how to put Windows 10 on SSD from now on. You can check out both ways at your own pace. Also, here are some things you should do to get ready before we start:

1. Put the SSD in the right way on your PC using an SSD slot or a SATA cable.

2. Get your SSD ready to install or move Windows to it. This is very important: format the SSD to MBR or GPT according to Windows' instructions.

3. Make a copy of your personal information on another drive if it's on the SSD.

Some users prefer to do a clean install OS with CD. While nowadays, many computers especially laptops have no CD drives. In this case, a USB installation media is a better alternative. And also, USB is more portable and a safer place to store Windows 10 because CD can be scratched sometimes and the data on it could be damaged.

So, we will put the Windows 10 installation file into a USB flash drive to make an installation USB drive for example.

Step 1. Create a Windows 10 installation USB

If you already have prepared an installation USB, just ignore Part 1 and go straight to Part 2. Otherwise, you should create one by using Microsoft’s media creation tool.

1. Download the media creation tool and run it as an administrator.

2. Hit “Accept” in the “Applicable notices and license terms” window.

3. Tick “Create installation media for another PC” and hit “Next”.

4. Select language, architecture, and edition and click on “Next”.

5. Tick “USB flash drive” and hit “Next”.

To ensure a successful Windows 10 installation, the USB flash drive needs to be at least 8 GB.

6. Choose your prepared USB flash drive from “Removable drives” and then, hit “Next”.

7. Once completed,  Windows 10 will be installed to the device and thus, the installation media is created.

Whether you're updating all of your computer's hard drives or moving your Windows 10 operating system to a new hard disk, we recommend you use the well-known OS migration software to help you instead of performing it manually, as there is a risk of running it on your own. If you are not familiar with this computer, this is the best choice.

Also, if you just want to install Windows 10 from your current hard drive to your static hard disk instead of installing everything from scratch, do you have no suitable USB or CD to install Win 10?

The easiest way to install your current Windows 10 operating system from your hard drive to your hard disk is to use third-party software to move the OS from your old disk to a new digital one, so you don't need to install a new OS to avoid a lot of trouble here. I recommend you AOMEI Partition Assistant, which supports migration between MBR and GPT drives for Windows 10. Just a few clicks. Besides, this software can also clone the partitions on the hard drive, and delete the partition you don't need.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional; click "Clone" > “Migrate OS” in the toolbar.

Then follow the instructions to finish the data migration process. After it’s completed, you should boot your computer from the destination SSD.

If you want to transfer all data (not only the operating system partition but also other data partitions) from the old drive to the new SSD, please consider trying the feature of disk clone.

Here are more advanced functions provided by AOMEI Partition Assistant that worth trying:

Conclusion

We comprehensively introduce how to install Windows 10 on SSD. As you can see, installing Windows 10 on an SSD offers numerous advantages, including faster data access speeds, enhanced durability, reduced noise levels, and space-saving benefits. This guide provides a step-by-step process for installing Windows 10 on an SSD, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency for your computer system.

FAQs

  1. What is an SSD and why should I install Windows 10 on it?

    • An SSD, or Solid State Drive, uses integrated circuit components to store data persistently, resulting in faster read and write speeds compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Installing Windows 10 on an SSD improves system performance, reduces boot times, and enhances overall responsiveness.
  2. How do I prepare my SSD for Windows 10 installation?

    • Before installing Windows 10 on an SSD, ensure it is properly mounted in your computer's SSD slot or connected via a SATA cable. Format the SSD to either MBR or GPT partition style according to Windows' instructions, and back up any personal data stored on the SSD to another drive.
  3. What is the recommended method for creating a Windows 10 installation USB?

    • You can create a Windows 10 installation USB using Microsoft's media creation tool. Download and run the tool as an administrator, select "Create installation media for another PC," specify language, architecture, and edition, choose "USB flash drive" as the media type, and select your prepared USB flash drive as the destination.
  4. Is there an alternative method for migrating Windows 10 from an HDD to an SSD?

    • Yes, you can use third-party software like AOMEI Partition Assistant to migrate your existing Windows 10 installation from an HDD to an SSD. This software simplifies the process and ensures a smooth transition, allowing you to clone partitions and migrate the OS with just a few clicks.
  5. What are the benefits of using AOMEI Partition Assistant for OS migration and disk management?

    • AOMEI Partition Assistant offers advanced features for OS migration, disk cloning, partition management, and disk cleanup. It supports migration between MBR and GPT drives, simplifying the transition to an SSD and optimizing disk performance for Windows 10 systems.