When we buy a new computer, it already has an operating system installed. In other words, when we pay for a new PC, the OS and all its features are included in the price. But what happens when we build a gaming PC or pay an independent professional who builds our machine? This is very common, so it’s important to know How to Install OS on New PC. You’ll learn that in this guide. Let’s straight for it, gamer!

How to Install an OS in your New PC - Steps

There are several methods to install Windows on a new computer. The story is different when you install Linux Operating System on your PC or even macOS on Mac computers. For this reason, we’ll focus just on Windows installation through a specific method by using a USB stick.

Create Windows Installation Media

Download the MediaCreationTool. Run the file and start with the installation. Select “Create installation media for another PC” and click “Next.” 

Then you’ll have to select the language, edition, and architecture of your version of Windows. Pick the right edition for your product key. We recommend you choose the 64-bit variants unless you require 32-bit.

You can choose between two types of media to install Window Operating System:

• USB Flash Drive;
• ISO File.

Both alternatives have merits, but the latter is a more flexible option. Anyway, the most common way is using the flash drive option, but if your computer has some issues booting with it, there are good alternatives to using the ISO file. 

The ISO version also comes in handy when installing Windows 10 to a virtual machine for a test drive using software like VirtualBox.

Mark the USB Flash Drive option and select the attached device you’ll use as the installer. The media creation tool will format the device, download and transfer the installer, and make the USB bootable.

Back Up Your Files

This step is optional, but if you’re going to reinstall Windows on your device, you’ll very likely overwrite your files. Then, back up any relevant information before starting the process. Use Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or external devices, such as hard drive, DVD drive, or USB flash drive.

Insert the Windows Installation Media in the New PC and Restart

Now you have your flash drive filled with all the data you’re going to need. It’s time for the Windows installation process. The process of installing Windows 10 shouldn’t take long.  

Grab the installation DVD, or flash drive, plug it into a free USB port, and restart your machine.

Boot the Computer

Booting your PC is needed to install Windows from the bootable USB flash drive. To do this, just press F10, F11, F12, F2, or ESC while restarting your machine. Depending on your motherboard, the computer’s boot order button will change. The specific key is generally specified on the startup screen of your computer. If you do well, a new command to select the drive to boot from should appear.

If you’re using an older version of Windows or an older PC, you may not have a Boot media menu. If this is the case and you have an older computer, you’ll need to enter the BIOS. To do this, commonly you must press the F1, F2, F3, Esc, or Delete to enter this menu. But, again, this depends on PC manufacturers. 

Once inside the BIOS menu, navigate between individual menu items by using the key arrows. To restart the computer, select the item labeled as “Setup Default.” “Load Setup Defaults” or “Reset to Default.” Then press Enter.

Select your USB Flash Drive in the Boot Menu 

Select your bootable USD flash drive from the list to load the Windows installer tool in the new command. This will boot the computer from the Windows Installation Media. Once the computer boots from the USB drive, press any key to automatically start the Windows installation process.

If you’re inside the BIOS settings, you must find the option called “Boot,” “ Boot Order,” or something similar. Change the order to your PC boots from the bootable USB drive. Then select save and exit.

Select your Preferences

To install an operating system such as Windows 10, you must select the time, language, and currency for Microsoft Windows. You must also select the keyboard input method. Then, click “Next” and “Install Now” to begin the installation.

Enter Your Windows Product Key and Click Next

This is when you’re prompted to insert your product key, license key, or a digital license to install and activate Windows. Here you can both enter it or leave it for later. Just keep in mind that if you skip this step, you’ll be running an unactivated version of the Windows operating system. Then, some programs could be disabled until you enter them. 

A very helpful and cheap solution to this issue is to get a cheap license Windows CD key. Having an activated and complete version of Windows will allow you to use all its features, avoiding inconveniences caused by unactivated Windows. 

If you’ve already bought Windows, you’ll find the right key to your license in the confirmation email. If you haven’t, just click Skip. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase and activate it later on.

Select Which Edition of Windows You Want to Install

At this point, you must select the edition of Windows PC that you want to install on your computer. If you’ve already purchased a version of Windows, make sure to select the right version. If you haven’t, check which version you’ll prefer to buy Windows. Each version has different features and prices. 

We recommend you install the Home Edition version since it’s the easiest to use and brings all the features required for a good performance. Besides, this is good enough for both a new and old computer.

Finally, click the Checkbox Next to “I Accept the License Terms.” If you want, you can read the license terms. If you agree, click on “Next.”

Select Which Type of Installation You Want

Here you can also choose between installing over an existing version of this operating system and keeping your configuration or installing a clean version of the OS. 

If you already have a version of Windows on your PC, click “Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications.” This Windows 10 installation is the most secure but just operates with an operating system working on your machine.

For a clean install, pick “Custom.” This is also the right choice for those who want to reinstall or put it on a new PC build for the first time.

Select a Drive or Partition You Want to Install Windows on

Now, you must choose the specific drive where you want to install this version of Windows. Here you also find the usual option for installing the Windows edition of your preference or any other programs, such as formatting, deleting, and extended partition options. 

If you have a hard drive with multiple partitions or multiple hard drives, select the specific partition to Install Windows and click “Delete.” This action will erase all the data on the drive. Make sure to back up all your data before proceeding. This becomes an unallocated space in the drive.

Select in Which Drive You Want to Install Windows

The best option is to pick “Unallocated Space” on a bare drive. This way, Windows will perform partitioning during the installation. Just select the drive and then click on “Next.” The Windows Setup will automatically start the installation, finish it, and report the progress via the status screen. Depending on your Internet speed and your computer's hardware, it may take some minutes.

Remove the USB Flash Drive

When your PC finishes installing Windows, it will automatically restart. At this point, remove the USB flash drive. This way, it does not try to boot from the Flash drive again. If this is the first time Windows boots up, you’ll go through the Windows setup process.

Set Up Windows 10

You’ll be conducted by a series of on-screen instructions asking you for different information to set up your OS.

The system will ask you to set your region, Microsoft ID, and keyboard layout. You can use the Microsoft ID to sync settings and files between Windows PCs, or ignore it and just create a local login for your PC.

If everything is correct, click on the “Yes” button located in the lower right corner. If not, change the region and the keyboard layout. 

If you want to change the keyboard input, just click on “Add input” and select that of your preference.

Connect the Wireless Network

If Windows did its job well, you won’t need a driver for the WiFi or Ethernet connection. Anyway, you’ll need to select your wireless network and click on “Connect.” Immediately afterward, enter the wireless password and click on “Next.”

Note. If you have a wired internet connection, make sure you are connected to your modem via an Ethernet cable before completing this step.

Select Set up for Personal Use

Setting up for personal use allows you to sign in with your Microsoft account and, of course, utilize your computer for personal use. On the contrary, if you’re going to give your computer business use, select Set up for an organization. 

Note. You may need the aid of your IT department to set up Windows with an organization email.

Sign in to Windows

If you already have a Microsoft account, this is the moment when you can sign in to it to import your digital licenses from your older multiple operating systems. You can sign in using your email address, phone number, or Skype number. Then, type your password to complete the operation. 

Of course, if you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one. Click on “Create account” to create your local user account and follow the instructions until the end of the process. You can also select “Offline account” to create a new account for Windows without a Microsoft account.

Set Up Cortana

Upon setting up the Windows configuration, a setting confirmation will be displayed to you through Cortana, the voice assistant of Microsoft. 

As you may know, Cortana is the voice assistant for Windows, very similar to the Siri application of Apple. At this point, you can set up Cortana for all your Windows devices. To this, click “Accept” and follow the instructions. If you don’t want to do this, just click “No.”

Set Up the Windows Timeline

This step allows you to continue what you do on other Windows devices. To set up this feature, click “yes” and follow to the next page. If you’re not interested in setting this feature up, click “No” to move on to the next step.

Choose your Privacy Settings for Your Device

Once you’ve entered your login and password and set up the Timeline, you’ll have to set your privacy settings. 

By default, Windows turns on Speech Recognition, GPS Location Tracking, Find my device, Inking & typing to help Microsoft improve language recognition and relevant ads. 

There are not many of them, but, still, the best is to turn off these settings unless you have a very important reason to turn them on. Finally, click “Accept.” 

Wait a few moments until the system ends configuring settings and apps. Once Windows is finished installing, the Windows computer will boot to the new system: Win 10 desktop. 

This leads us to the next relevant steps when it comes to installing operating systems: installing the drivers in the motherboard.

Install Your Drivers

Go through your installer folder, beginning with the main programs for your motherboard. Then continue with other software like Chrome, Firefox, Photoshop, Autocad, or Steam. After a reboot or two, the task will be complete. Welcome to Windows 10!

Install Windows Updates

The last step is updating your operating system. This free upgrade must be notified by a notification, but if it’s not, head into the Start Menu, go to programs, and then click on “Windows Update.” 

Install all the updates displayed in this window and restart your computer. Then, head again to Updates until the system stops sending notifications. Upon finishing, your computer will provide you with complete access to all the features and programs.

Do not Forget the Antivirus

Last but not least, since most computers do not integrate with them a compelling antivirus, this is the right moment to download one. For example, Mcafee Total Protection 5 Years 1 PC Global Key, or Eset NOD32 Antivirus 180 Days 1 PC Global Key. Both are two of the best antiviruses on the market. And the best is that you can get them here, at RoyalCDKeys, at a cheap price!

Final Thoughts

Most people around the globe use Windows in its different versions. Today, Windows 10 boasts more than 1 billion users worldwide. Then, if you don’t have this operating system yet, we recommend you to get the Windows 10 installation media and jump right into this installation type process. 

If you’re looking for the last version of this worldwide operating system, browse our web. You can acquire any operating system you wish, for example, Windows 10 Home OEM Key or Windows 11 Home OEM Key. Simply buy and download the one of your preference, and in a matter of minutes, you’ll have it on your computer.