Windows 10 install and recovery
Since Windows 10 20H2, Windows 10 installation file don't fit on a single layer DVD.
The Media Creation Tool offers the possibility to create a bootable USB.
What do you want do do?
- Upgrade this PC now
- Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC
Select language, architecture, and edtion
Leave the
Use the recommended options for this PC checkbox checked if the media is meant for the PC you're working on:
- Language : English (United States)
- Edition: Windows 10
- Architecture: 64-bit (x64)
- USB flash drive (it needs to be at least 8GB)
- ISO file (You'll need to burn the ISO file to a DVD later)
Other methods: .iso, .esd, .wim, …
The USB contains
- sources/boot.wim
- sources/install.esd
The install.esd file is a compressed and encrypted file that contains a full copy of the Windows OS.
You can convert the install.esd to install.wim. See
https://www.wintips.org/how-to-extract-install-esd-to-install-wim-windows-10-8/.