How to Download and Use Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

You can learn what is Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and know how to download and use it. Then we recommend to backup Windows 10 with a software to prevent data loss!

Miya

By Miya Updated on August 17, 2023

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Overview of Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

The widely acclaimed free utility from Microsoft, known as the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, is a remarkable tool that serves multiple purposes. It allows you to effortlessly upgrade your Windows 10 operating system to the latest version, as well as create a Windows 10 installation media with USB drive or DVD disc. This enables you to perform a clean installation of Windows 10 or repair a problematic PC with ease and convenience.

You can directly obtain the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool by downloading it from Microsoft's official website.

Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

The download file is compact, taking up less than 20 MB, ensuring a swift download process. Additionally, once the download is finished, there is no need for installation. The tool operates as a standalone application that can be executed or transferred directly without any additional steps.

How to Use Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Now that you have the Media Creation Tool at your disposal, you can create a bootable drive for Windows 10 or upgrade your existing PC to the latest version of Windows 10. In the following sections, we will delve into further details about its functionalities. If you find this page helpful, feel free to share it with others who may benefit from it.

1. Create Bootable USB

The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool serves a crucial purpose of creating bootable installation media using a USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file. This allows you to install Windows 10 on a different PC effortlessly.

☎ Requirements:

  • A PC with a stable internet connection to initiate the download.
  • A USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 8 GB or a blank DVD.
  • In case you opt for burning a DVD from an ISO file, you may require dual-layer (DL) DVD media if the disc image file exceeds the standard capacity.

To create bootable USB with Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, follow the step-by-step instructions outlined below.

Step 1. Launch the MediaCreationTool.exe file. Accept the license terms by clicking on the Accept button.

Step 2. On the Windows 10 Setup screen, choose the option Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC. Proceed further by clicking the Next button.

Windows 10 Setup Screen

Step 3. Select a language, edition, and architecture for Windows 10. By default, the program will create a version of Windows that matches the existing version on your computer. However, if you have specific requirements, such as choosing 32-bit over 64-bit, you can uncheck the "Use the recommended options for this PC" box. Then, proceed by clicking Next.

Select Language

Step 4. Decide whether to use a USB flash drive or an ISO file as the preferred media. Then, click on Next and then proceed to Finish to initiate the creation of the USB installation drive. Allow the process to complete and patiently wait until it finishes.

  • For USB flash drive option: Connect a blank USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 8 GB to your computer.
  • For ISO file option: Save the ISO file to your PC. This file can be used to create a DVD. Once the ISO file is downloaded, navigate to the location where it is saved. You can utilize the Windows Disk Image Burner tool to create an installation DVD by following straightforward steps.

For USB Flash Drive Option

2. Upgrade Windows 10

The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool also offers the option to upgrade your existing Windows 10 to the latest version or upgrade from Windows 7/Windows 8 to Windows 10.

Step 1. Launch the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool on your PC and agree to the license terms.

Step 2. Choose the option Upgrade this PC now and proceed by clicking Next. The Media Creation Tool will commence downloading Windows 10 to your PC. It is important to note that the download process may take a considerable amount of time, and your patience is appreciated.

Upgrade This PC Now

Step 3. Once the download is finished, you can proceed with the installation of Windows 10. On the Ready to install screen, you have the option to select Change what you want to keep, allowing you to customize how you handle your existing files and settings during the installation process.

Ready to Install

Step 4. Depending on your preferences, select one of the following options during the upgrade: Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, or Nothing. Once you have made your selection, click on Next to proceed with the upgrade process.

Click Nothing

Step 5. Afterward, click on the Install button to initiate the Windows 10 installation process.

Install Button

Create Windows 10 System Backup to Prevent Any System Failure

As mentioned earlier, many users turn to the Windows Media Creation Tool primarily for PC upgrades or clean installations. However, during the usage of this tool, various issues can arise. One common problem reported by users is Windows Media Creation Tool can’t find a USB flash drive, among others. Additionally, users who initially rely on the built-in Windows Backup tool may experience disappointment due to frequent backup failures and encounter other backup-related issues.

Fortunately, there is an alternative solution available for Windows backup. Allow me to introduce you to AOMEI Backupper Standard, a reliable and free backup software designed for all Windows users. It offers comprehensive features that facilitate the backup of systems, files, disks, and partitions. Moreover, it allows you to create bootable media, which proves invaluable in case of system failures or hard crashes.

This software provides a user-friendly interface and a range of useful features to simplify and optimize backup tasks. Let's explore some of the notable features:

✦ Effortlessly backup Windows 10 to external hard drive, cloud storage, NAS devices, and network locations.
Schedule automatic backups on a daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers or USB plug in basis. By default, the software performs incremental backups, capturing only the changed data during scheduled tasks.
✦ Additional features include intelligent sector backups, normal compression, automatic splitting, and more, all helping to reduce the size of backup images.
✦ Compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP. And AOMEI Backupper Server is recommended for server users.

Download this freeware now and follow the steps below to safeguard your Windows 10 through the backup process.

Download FreewareWin11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. Begin by installing and launching this free backup software. Once installed, open the application. Locate the Backup tab and select System Backup from the available options.

System Backup

Step 2. Customize the Task Name according to your preferences. By default, the relevant system partitions will already be selected. Choose the destination path where you wish to store the system image (for example, F:).

Select Destination

Step 3. Once you have reviewed and confirmed your selected options like setting up schedule backups, proceed by clicking on the Start Backup button to initiate the backup process.

Schedule Settings General

Summary

This article describes in detail how to download and use Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Once you have completed installation, it is highly recommended to protect your system by utilizing AOMEI Backupper Standard. This is an ideal opportunity to create backup image, enabling you to restore Windows 10 to its factory settings whenever necessary.

Furthermore, you have the option to customize backup images by installing programs and adding data to your computer. By scheduling backup images, you can effectively track changes made to your system. To ensure ample space for new backups, it is advisable to adjust backup settings and minimize the size of backup images.

In addition to its backup capabilities, AOMEI Backupper Standard serves as professional email backup software. It can back up most of the email accounts on the market, such as auto backup Gmail account, so download it now and try it for yourself!

Miya
Miya · Editor
Miya has an excellent insight and receives professional and systematic technical training since joining AOMEI. She has a comprehensive understanding of computer issues, aiming at helping users troubleshoot all kinds of problems. A lot of computer users around the world have found her articles very helpful!