Re: Tutorial: How to DIRECTLY download the full 5.7GB Windows 10 Offline ISO (bypassing Media Creation Tool)

Marian wrote:
> Note that a Windows 10 ISO is about 5.7GB, so you need a dual-layer DVD 
> (DVD+R DL) as a standard 4.7GB DVD will not be large enough to hold it.

Drat. 

I could not use ImgBurn to burn the latest Windows 10 ISO to a standard
4.7GB DVD because the most current Windows 10 ISO is about 5.7GB (and I
didn't have any dual-layer DVD+R DL larger DVDs available).

So I downloaded & ran Rufus to create a bootable Win10 USB flash drive.

How to Create a Windows 10 USB Installer Using Rufus
----------------------------------------------------
1. Download Rufus from:
   Runbox > https://rufus.ie/
   (Use the portable version if you prefer.)
   Runbox > https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases/download/v4.11/rufus-4.11p.exe
   Name: rufus-4.11p.exe
   Size: 1936744 bytes (1891 KiB)
   SHA256: ABBF04D50A44A9612C027FC8072F6DA67F5BCDA2B826F1F852C9C24D7A1FCDFF

2. Insert your USB flash drive (8GB minimum, larger is fine).

3. Run Rufus (no installation required).

4. In the "Device" box, select your USB drive.

5. Click "SELECT" and choose the Windows 10 ISO you downloaded.

6. Use these settings (recommended for most newer systems):
   Partition scheme: GPT
   Target system: UEFI (non-CSM)
   File system: NTFS (Rufus will choose automatically)

   If you need to support older BIOS-only systems:
   Partition scheme: MBR
   Target system: BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)

7. Rufus will show a "Windows User Experience" dialog.
   If you want a standard, unmodified Windows installer,
   leave all boxes unchecked and click OK.

8. Rufus may warn that the ISO contains a revoked UEFI bootloader.
   This only affects newer PCs with Secure Boot enabled.
   If the target PC refuses to boot the USB, simply disable
   Secure Boot temporarily in the BIOS/UEFI.

9. Click START. 
   Rufus will erase the USB and copy the installer.

10. When Rufus shows "READY", the USB is finished.

Notes:
  The latest Rufus versions apparently format the entire USB as 
  one large partition and then copy the Windows installer into it. 

  Since the installer uses about 5.8GB, the remaining space on 
  the USB is still apparently available for storing other files.

  Obviously, do not delete or modify any of the Windows setup files.

Booting:
  On the target PC, enter BIOS/UEFI and choose the USB drive as
  the boot device. If you see a "Security Violation" message,
  disable Secure Boot temporarily and try again.

BOOTING FROM THE USB
--------------------
1. Insert the Windows 10 ISO USB that RUFUS created into the target PC.
2. Power on and repeatedly tap the boot menu key:
      Dell: F12
      HP: F9
      Lenovo: F12 or F8
      ASUS: F8
      Acer: F12
      MSI: F11
3. Select the USB drive.
4. Windows Setup will start.

From there you can:
 a. Run startup repair
 b. Use the command prompt (bootrec, chkdsk, sfc, dism, etc.)
 c. Or reinstall Windows 10 if needed

That's for tomorrow. :)
-- 
Just one person paying it forward with tested steps & free tools.