Is it a must to install Windows 10 from a flash USB Drive?

PerfectWave · Nov 13, 2019

usb w10 installation should be more fast then on dvd

Splinterdog · Nov 13, 2019

It's not a must to install from a pendrive, but why would you even consider DVD?
More risk of errors and frankly it's now ancient tech. I would only ever use DVD as a last resort.

Basard · Nov 13, 2019

The last install I did, a few months ago, was right from Microsoft's website. Fully updated, and right from my old install on my C: drive. No media or nothin. Just tell it to erase everything.

But yeah, having the USB would be handy.

andiey · Nov 13, 2019

My current system Windows 10 was created from Media Creation Tool. Then, i put it onto a DVD Disc. I have never got a Flash Drive.
The reason I am asking is because I read from somewhere that the Installation to the M.2 Drive on this Asus Rog Strix Z390-F stucks when not using socket 1. But socket 1 is too close to the GPU and CPU. The socket 2 is away from them and more close to the Z390 chipset.

Splinterdog · Nov 13, 2019

andiey said:
My current system Windows 10 was created from Media Creation Tool. Then, i put it onto a DVD Disc. I have never got a Flash Drive.
The reason I am asking is because I read from somewhere that the Installation to the M.2 Drive on this Asus Rog Strix Z390-F stucks when not using socket 1. But socket 1 is too close to the GPU and CPU. The socket 2 is away from them and more close to the Z390 chipset.

I'm not sure what that has to do with installing from USB or DVD, but I remember on my Crossahiair Hero VII, I had to fit the M.2 drive on the bottom slot, because it wasn't being detected in the slot nearest the CPU.

Zach_01 · Nov 13, 2019

andiey said:
My current system Windows 10 was created from Media Creation Tool. Then, i put it onto a DVD Disc. I have never got a Flash Drive.
The reason I am asking is because I read from somewhere that the Installation to the M.2 Drive on this Asus Rog Strix Z390-F stucks when not using socket 1. But socket 1 is too close to the GPU and CPU. The socket 2 is away from them and more close to the Z390 chipset.

You know that most mainbords (if not all) run the first m.2 slot directly to CPU and second through chipset right? First is faster and offloading the chipset also. Maybe this is why there is a problem and stucks.
For me the first m.2 slot has the right place there above the GPU. I have it there too but with heatsink cover and airflow.
You should use first one and do what is nessesary to keep it cool.

techowned5 · Nov 13, 2019

PerfectWave said:
usb w10 installation should be more fast then on dvd

Nope, installlation from DVD is way too faster than USB.

E-curbi · Nov 13, 2019

andiey said:
I have Windows 10 Install on a DVD disc. Since I am building a new system and want to know after setting up the hardware with NVMe only, when I proceed to the Windows installation part, do I need to use a Flash USB drive instead of from the DVD drive?

Won't ANY external USB drive work as long as it meets the minimum capacity requirements?

Just installed Win 10 from an Optane 32GB M.2 drive mounted inside an aftermarket drive enclosure.

Windows 10 Media Creation Tool recognized the M.2 drive and the Win 10 reformatting/boot software is installed and works just fine - already reformatted one work PC.

I think you can use any small capacity drive. As long as it's recognized by Win 10 Media Creation Tool. Doesn't need to be a USB flash drive.

andiey · Nov 13, 2019

I am still doing the hardware install, the MB511 is a GREAT GREAT Case to work with. Precision are done greatly. I will write a user review later.!

TheLostSwede · Nov 13, 2019

Zach_01 said:
You know that most mainbords (if not all) run the first m.2 slot directly to CPU and second through chipset right? First is faster and offloading the chipset also. Maybe this is why there is a problem and stucks.
For me the first m.2 slot has the right place there above the GPU. I have it there too but with heatsink cover and airflow.
You should use first one and do what is nessesary to keep it cool.

It's a socket 115x board, so it doesn't apply. All M.2 slots on those boards are via the chipset.
Also, only the second slot on his board has a heatsink.

That said, I don't understand why the SSD can't fit in the first slow, as there's a x1 slot between it and the x16 slot for the graphics card.

Zach_01 · Nov 13, 2019

TheLostSwede said:
It's a socket 115x board, so it doesn't apply. All M.2 slots on those boards are via the chipset.
Also, only the second slot on his board has a heatsink.

Thanks, did not know this.
Other than the PCI-E/chipset link he (OP) said that the second slot has issues with OS USB/flash installation and wants to do it via DVD(ISO). Didnt try it I think, he just read about it.
This is why I said to go with the first, other than the link...

TheLostSwede said:
That said, I don't understand why the SSD can't fit in the first slow, as there's a x1 slot between it and the x16 slot for the graphics card.

He also wants the SSD to be as far as possible from CPU/GPU...

andiey · Nov 13, 2019

Zach_01 said:
Thanks, did not know this.
Other than the PCI-E/chipset link he (OP) said that the second slot has issues with OS USB/flash installation and wants to do it via DVD(ISO). Didnt try it I think, he just read about it.
This is why I said to go with the first, other than the link...

He also wants the SSD to be as far as possible from CPU/GPU...

No No, according to the manual, if using the one lcoser to the GPU and CPU, then one of the SATA port will be disabled. I want as many resources to be available as possible.

Zach_01 · Nov 13, 2019

Oh well if you had told us that from the beginning we could avoid all the fuss...

andiey · Nov 15, 2019

What about this one

Flash Voyager® GTX USB 3.1 128GB Premium Flash Drive

TheLostSwede · Nov 15, 2019

andiey said:
What about this one

Flash Voyager® GTX USB 3.1 128GB Premium Flash Drive

A bit overkill no? a 16 or 32GB drive is plenty.

FreedomEclipse · Nov 15, 2019

TheLostSwede said:
A bit overkill no? a 16 or 32GB drive is plenty.

8gb is more than enough. It's what i use

TheLostSwede · Nov 15, 2019

FreedomEclipse said:
8gb is more than enough. It's what you i use

More than, no, not really, as 8GB isn't always 8GiB. I've had 8GB drives that aren't big enough for Windows 7 or Windows 10.

FreedomEclipse · Nov 15, 2019

TheLostSwede said:
More than, no, not really, as 8GB isn't always 8GiB. I've had 8GB drives that aren't big enough for Windows 7 or Windows 10.

Always worked for me.

If your 8gb isn't really 8gb then you need to stop buying your usb sticks from aliexpress

TheLostSwede · Nov 15, 2019

FreedomEclipse said:
Always worked for me.

If your 8gb isn't really 8gb then you need to stop buying your usb sticks from aliexpress

Never bought a thing from Aliexpress in my entire life. But yeah, go make silly assumptions...

Jetster · Nov 15, 2019

It doesn't make any difference. Windows media creator USB or DVD install

techowned5 said:
Nope, installlation from DVD is way too faster than USB.

Nope USB 2.0 58 MB/s write speed is 3 times faster than the fastest DVD drive 21 MB/s

Unless you have a bad thumb drive

freeagent · Nov 15, 2019

Five minutes to install, ten minutes till you have a useable desktop with usb. I can’t imagine how long it would take with a dvd.. an hour? Haven’t used one since 2011 I think.

Jetster · Nov 15, 2019

On a DVD its about a 30 minute install

Here's the thing though. using the windows media creation tool is best because you get the latest version. Or just one version back if there was a resent release

newtekie1 · Nov 15, 2019

TheLostSwede said:
Never bought a thing from Aliexpress in my entire life. But yeah, go make silly assumptions...

Drax?!?!

lexluthermiester · Nov 15, 2019

andiey said:
What about this one

Flash Voyager® GTX USB 3.1 128GB Premium Flash Drive

Excellent drive. Plenty of space for the setup ISO files as well as drivers and programs as well.

System Name	Gaming PC / I7 XEON
Processor	I7 4790K @stock / XEON W3680 @ stock
Motherboard	Asus Z97 MAXIMUS VII FORMULA / GIGABYTE X58 UD7
Cooling	X61 Kraken / X61 Kraken
Memory	32gb Vengeance 2133 Mhz / 24b Corsair XMS3 1600 Mhz
Video Card(s)	Gainward GLH 1080 / MSI Gaming X Radeon RX480 8 GB
Storage	Samsung EVO 850 500gb ,3 tb seagate, 2 samsung 1tb in raid 0 / Kingdian 240 gb, megaraid SAS 9341-8
Display(s)	2 BENQ 27" GL2706PQ / Dell UP2716D LCD Monitor 27 "
Case	Corsair Graphite Series 780T / Corsair Obsidian 750 D
Audio Device(s)	ON BOARD / ON BOARD
Power Supply	Sapphire Pure 950w / Corsair RMI 750w
Mouse	Steelseries Sesnsei / Steelseries Sensei raw
Keyboard	Razer BlackWidow Chroma / Razer BlackWidow Chroma
Software	Windows 1064bit PRO / Windows 1064bit PRO

System Name	Ryzen Monster
Processor	Ryzen 7 5700X3D
Motherboard	Asus ROG Crosshair Hero VII WiFi
Cooling	Corsair H100i RGB Platinum
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (4x8GB) 3200Mhz CMW16GX4M2C3200C16
Video Card(s)	Asus ROG Strix RX5700XT OC 8Gb
Storage	WD Black 500GB NVMe 250Gb Samsung SSD, OCZ 500Gb SSD WD M.2 500Gb, plus three spinners up to 1.5Tb
Display(s)	LG 32GK650F-B 32" UltraGear™ QHD
Case	Cooler Master Storm Trooper
Audio Device(s)	Supreme FX on board
Power Supply	Corsair RM850X full modular
Mouse	Corsair Ironclaw wireless
Keyboard	Logitech G213
VR HMD	Headphones Logitech G533 wireless
Software	Windows 11 Start 11
Benchmark Scores	3DMark Time Spy 4532 (9258 March 2021, 9399 July 2021)

System Name	ChoreBoy
Processor	8700k Delided
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z390 Master
Cooling	420mm Custom Loop
Memory	CMK16GX4M2B3000C15 2x8GB @ 3000Mhz
Video Card(s)	EVGA 1080 SC
Storage	1TB SX8200, 250GB 850 EVO, 250GB Barracuda
Display(s)	Pixio PX329 and Dell E228WFP
Case	Fractal R6
Audio Device(s)	On-Board
Power Supply	1000w Corsair
Software	Win 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	A million on everything....

System Name	Button
Processor	Intel Core i5-9600K
Motherboard	Asus ROG Strix Z390-F
Cooling	Corsair H100i PRO
Memory	Corsair Vengeance LPX 3000MHz, CL15, (Red)
Video Card(s)	Asus ROG Strix RX 570 4GB OC version
Storage	Sabrent Rocket 1TB PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 internal SSD
Display(s)	BenQ GW2270 (1920x 1080) 60 MHz
Case	Cooler Master MasterBox MB511 RGB
Power Supply	Corsair RMi 850i
Keyboard	Cougar Vantar

System Name	Ryzen Monster
Processor	Ryzen 7 5700X3D
Motherboard	Asus ROG Crosshair Hero VII WiFi
Cooling	Corsair H100i RGB Platinum
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (4x8GB) 3200Mhz CMW16GX4M2C3200C16
Video Card(s)	Asus ROG Strix RX5700XT OC 8Gb
Storage	WD Black 500GB NVMe 250Gb Samsung SSD, OCZ 500Gb SSD WD M.2 500Gb, plus three spinners up to 1.5Tb
Display(s)	LG 32GK650F-B 32" UltraGear™ QHD
Case	Cooler Master Storm Trooper
Audio Device(s)	Supreme FX on board
Power Supply	Corsair RM850X full modular
Mouse	Corsair Ironclaw wireless
Keyboard	Logitech G213
VR HMD	Headphones Logitech G533 wireless
Software	Windows 11 Start 11
Benchmark Scores	3DMark Time Spy 4532 (9258 March 2021, 9399 July 2021)

Is it a must to install Windows 10 from a flash USB Drive?

PerfectWave

Splinterdog

Basard

andiey

Splinterdog

Zach_01

techowned5

New Member

E-curbi

andiey

TheLostSwede

News Editor

Zach_01

andiey

Zach_01

andiey

TheLostSwede

News Editor

FreedomEclipse

~Technological Technocrat~

TheLostSwede

News Editor

FreedomEclipse

~Technological Technocrat~

TheLostSwede

News Editor

Jetster

freeagent

Moderator

Jetster

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

lexluthermiester

System Name	PC on since March 2025, upgraded from 5900X
Processor	Ryzen 7 9700X (March 2025), 140W PPT limit, 85C temp limit, CO -25, +100MHz (up to 5.65GHz)
Motherboard	Asrock X870E NOVA, BIOS v3.2, AGESA PI 1.2.0.3a Patch A
Cooling	Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420mm Rev7 (Jan 2024) with off-center mount for Ryzen, TIM: Kryosheet
Memory	2x32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB (March2025) 6000MT/s 1.40V CL30-36-36-36-68-104 1T, tRFC:500, Hynix-A
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Nitro+ RX 7900XTX (Dec 2023) 314~467W (370W current) PowerLimit, 1070mV, Adrenalin v25.5.1
Storage	NVMe: 990Pro 2TB(OS 25), 980Pro 1TB(22), 970Pro 512(19) / S-III: 850Pro 1TB(15) 860Evo 1TB(20)
Display(s)	Dell Alienware AW3423DW 34" QD-OLED curved (1800R), 3440x1440 144Hz (max 175Hz) HDR400/1000, VRR on
Case	Thermaltake Core P8 TG Gaming Full Tower, Fans: 9x140mm + 3x120mm
Audio Device(s)	Astro A50 headset
Power Supply	Corsair HX750i, ATX v2.4, 80+ Platinum, 93% (250~700W), modular, single/dual rail (switch)
Mouse	Logitech MX Master (Gen1)
Keyboard	Logitech G15 (Gen2) w/ LCDSirReal applet
Software	Windows 11 Home 64bit (v24H2, OSBuild 26100.4061), 1st install March 2025

System Name	Batman's CaseLabs Mercury S8 Work Computer
Processor	8086K 5.3Ghz binned delidded by Siliconlottery.com 5.5Ghz 6c12t 5.6Ghz 6c6t on ambient air
Motherboard	EVGA Z390 DARK
Cooling	Noctua C14S for all overclocking so far Noctua Industrial PWM fan 2000rpm rated (700rpm inaudible)
Memory	Gskill Trident Z Royal Silver F4-4600C18D-16GTRS running at 4500Mhz 17-17-17-37 (new mem OC) : )
Video Card(s)	AMD WX 4100 Workstation Card (AMD W5400 7nm workstation card coming soon)
Storage	Intel Optane 900P 280GB PCIe card as Primary OS drive / (4) Samsung 860Pro 256GB SATA internal
Display(s)	Planar 27in 2560x1440 Glossy LG panel with glass bonded to panel for increased clarity
Case	CaseLabs Mercury S8 open bench chassis two-tone black front cover with gunmetal frame
Audio Device(s)	Creative $25 2.1 speakers lol
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime Titanium 700watt fanless
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 3 graphite / Glorious Model D matte black / Razer Invicta mousing mat gunmetal
Keyboard	HHKB Hybrid Type-S black printed keycaps
Software	Work Apps text and statistical
Benchmark Scores	Single Thread scores at 5.6Ghz: Cinebench R15 ST - 249 CPU-Z ST - 676 PassMark CPU ST - 3389

System Name	Overlord Mk MLI
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory	32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s)	Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage	1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s)	Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case	Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s)	Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply	be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse	Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard	Corsair K70 Max
Software	Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	https://valid.x86.fr/yfsd9w

System Name	WorkInProgress
Processor	AMD 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI X670E GAMING PLUS
Cooling	Thermalright AM5 Contact Frame + Phantom Spirit 120SE
Memory	2x32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO DDR5 6000 CL32
Video Card(s)	Gainward RTX 4070Ti Phantom Reunion (The54thvoid Edition)
Storage	WD SN770 1TB (Boot)\|1x WD SN850X 8TB (Gaming)\| 2x2TB WD SN770\| 2x2TB+2x4TB Crucial BX500
Display(s)	LG GP850-B
Case	Corsair 760T (White) {1xCorsair ML120 Pro\|5xML140 Pro}
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha RX-V573\|Speakers: JBL Control One\|Auna 300-CN\|Wharfedale Diamond SW150
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus GX-850 80+ GOLD
Mouse	Logitech G502 X
Keyboard	Cherry G80-3000N (TKL)
Software	Windows 11 Home
Benchmark Scores	ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ

System Name	Juliette // My HTPC
Processor	Intel i7 9700K // AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Motherboard	ASUS Prime Z390X-A // ASRock B550 ITX-AC
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12 Black // Stock
Memory	Corsair DDR4 3600 32gb //G.SKILL Trident Z Royal Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3600
Video Card(s)	ASUS RTX4070 OC// ASUS RTX 4060 OC
Storage	Samsung 970 EVO NVMe 1Tb, Intel 665p Series M.2 2280 1TB // Samsung 1Tb SSD
Display(s)	ASUS VP348QGL 34" Quad HD 3440 x 1440 // 55" LG 4K SK8000 Series
Case	Seasonic SYNCRO Q7// Silverstone Granada GD05
Audio Device(s)	Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 // HDMI to Samsung HW-R650 sound bar
Power Supply	Seasonic SYNCRO 750 W // CORSAIR Vengeance 650M
Mouse	G903 and a Master Mouse MM710/No mouse, MS game copntroller
Keyboard	EVGA / Logitech K400
Software	Windows 11 Pro // Windows 10 Pro

Processor	AMD R9 9900X @ booost
Motherboard	Asus Strix X670E-F
Cooling	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO, 2x T30
Memory	2x 16GB Lexar Ares @ 6400 28-36-36-68 1.55v
Video Card(s)	Zotac 4070 Ti Trinity OC @ 3045/1500
Storage	WD SN850 1TB, SN850X 2TB, 2x SN770 1TB
Display(s)	LG 50UP7100
Case	Asus ProArt PA602
Audio Device(s)	JBL Bar 700
Power Supply	Seasonic Vertex GX-1000, Monster HDP1800
Mouse	Logitech G502 Hero
Keyboard	Logitech G213
VR HMD	Oculus 3
Software	Yes
Benchmark Scores	Yes

Processor	Intel Core i7 10850K@5.2GHz
Motherboard	AsRock Z470 Taichi
Cooling	Corsair H115i Pro w/ Noctua NF-A14 Fans
Memory	32GB DDR4-3600
Video Card(s)	RTX 2070 Super
Storage	500GB SX8200 Pro + 8TB with 1TB SSD Cache
Display(s)	Acer Nitro VG280K 4K 28"
Case	Fractal Design Define S
Audio Device(s)	Onboard is good enough for me
Power Supply	eVGA SuperNOVA 1000w G3
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64