Installing fresh Win 10 via USB optical reader?

[anschluss11]

I will get the parts for my (first) build in a couple days. Since I didn't include an optical reader (I don't use it generally so I didn't buy one) I will be using a borrowed USB optical reader to install the Win OS and drivers.

Will the USB port work fine for the installation of the OS (i.e. will it recognize the optical reader)?
I read that I will have to change the boot options in BIOS to boot from the USB and not the Hard drive (and then change it back afterwards). Is that correct or do I need something else?

 

[t53186]

The optical drive may be recognized, maybe not, it not use a USB memory stick. Yes change boot options to USB to boot from the USB, when done loading windows change to the device you loaded to (SSD or HDD)

 

[mcnumpty23]

should work fine just plug it into a usb 2.0 port not a 3.0

or on another pc make a flash drive to install it

sometimes you need to change boot options other times it will run the disc any way

 

[mjslakeridge]

I think that will work. Some people install Windows from a USB flash drive, so it must be able to "see" the USB ports without the OS being installed.

You may not have to change the boot order in the BIOS, because even if the HDD is the first boot drive, since there will not be an OS on it, as long as the USB port is listed somewhere in the boot order, it should find that port and boot from it. It wouldn't hurt to change the boot order in the BIOS though.

 

[captaincharisma]

the optical drive will still be recognized after doing a USB install. just use the windows media creator to load windows 10. if the HDD you will be using does not have anything on it then it will boot to the USB drive. if not then you will have to go into the boot menu to select the USB drive or you can go into the BIOS to change the boot order

 

[burtman88]

Install from the USB, if you dont want to do it though bios. When it first turns on start spamming the F8 button. That will bring you straight to a screen that lets you select from a list of bootable devices you have plugged in. Click the USB drive one, go from there installing it to your ssd or hdd how you normally would when its all finished installing and restarts unplug your usb drive. I've been doing this since windows xp lol. Also again make sure its usb 2.0. Install will be slow,but will work nice

 

[boosted1g]

Agreed that a USB memory stick will be MUCH faster and more garanteed to work.

You can download the windows media creation tool which will donwload a copy of windows 10 for you and then mount it to a usb drive.
You can also do this with yoru disc and a program like roxio, or ashampoo or other disc burning software where you would create an iso from the DVD, and then mount the ISO to a usb (for novice users the Windows tool is better).

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Most MoBos have a USB port designated specifically for USB drive installations.

1. Prepare for Windows installation with USB tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

2. Connect boot drive data cable to lowest numbered SATA port .... but don't connect:
-Ethernet cable
-SATA Data Cable for any other drives

3. Install Windows to boot drive

4. Turn off Windows ability to install Hardware drivers
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8013-windows-update-
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/82137-drivers-turn-off-automatic-driver-installation.html

5. Install all hardware drivers from original media in boxes See Item 7 below

6. Connect ethernet cable and run Windows Update till it stops doing anything

7. Install latest drivers for ALL hardware from manufacturers web sites. The reason we didn't do this in step 5 is 3 fold:
-Sometimes MoBo CD comes with licensed utilities with product key embedded and these are not on web site versions
-Its advisable to establish a working out of box conditions
-Sometimes newer drivers require latest Windows Updates

If you have a 2nd drive ....

8. Shut down and connect HD data cable to 2nd lowest numbered SATA port.

9. Boot to BIOS and make sure that SSD is the 1st boot device, if not fix it

10. Boot to Windows