How to Put Windows 10 on A New PC

Getting a new computer is exciting, but the prospect of installing the operating system can be daunting. This guide provides comprehensive instructions on how to put Windows on a new PC, ensuring a smooth and successful setup. Whether you're a tech novice or a seasoned user, we'll walk you through the necessary steps, from understanding common hurdles to using the most efficient installation methods.

Common Issues of Installing Windows on a New PC

Before diving into the installation process, it's wise to be aware of potential roadblocks. Here are some common issues you might encounter when installing Windows on a new PC:

Missing Drivers: A frequent problem is the absence of necessary drivers, especially for storage controllers or network adapters. This can prevent the Windows installer from recognizing the hard drive or connecting to the internet.

UEFI/BIOS Configuration: Modern PCs use UEFI firmware instead of the traditional BIOS. Incorrect settings, such as the boot mode (UEFI vs. Legacy) or Secure Boot, can hinder the installation.

Partitioning Errors: You might see messages like "Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style." This often requires converting the disk from MBR to GPT or vice versa.

USB Boot Issues: The computer may fail to boot from the USB installation media. This could be due to an improperly created bootable drive or incorrect boot order settings in the UEFI/BIOS.

The Easiest Way to Install Windows on a New PC

For those looking for the most straightforward method, especially when you want to keep your existing files, settings, and applications, using a dedicated tool is the easiest way to install Windows on a new PC. We recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, a powerful and reliable computer management software.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional simplifies the process by allowing you to directly transfer your current Windows system to the new computer's hard drive. This is achieved through two primary features: "Clone Disk" and "Migrate OS."

✨ Clone Disk: This function creates an exact, bootable copy of your entire old hard drive (including the operating system, all applications, files, and settings) onto the new PC's drive. This is ideal if you're upgrading your computer and want everything to be identical.

💡 Migrate OS: If you only want to move the Windows operating system and its related partitions to the new drive, this feature is perfect. It leaves your data on the old drive and transfers only the essential system files to the new PC, which can then be used as the boot drive.

Preparations: Before We Start
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
1. A SATA-to-USB adapter or an external hard drive enclosure to connect the new PC's hard drive to your old computer.
2. Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional on your current Windows PC.

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Way 1. How to put Windows on a new PC via Disk Clone

This method is perfect for creating a complete and bootable replica of your old system on your new machine.

Step 1. Connect the New Drive: Connect the hard drive from your new PC to your old computer using the SATA-to-USB adapter.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant: Open the software and navigate to the "Clone" menu, then select "Clone Disk."

Step 3. Choose the hard disk that you need to clone as the source disk and click "Next".

Step 4. Select the destination disk to store the data on the source disk, and then click "Next".

Step 5. Then, you can check the source and destination disk in the next window or change to "Sector to Sector clone", and click the "Confirm" button to continue if there is no problem.

Here, you can also click the "Settings" button to adjust the partition size on the destination disk or tick "4k alignment" to optimize performance of SSD.

① Clone without resizing partitions: all partition will be cloned to the target disk as the original partition size. It is available when the target disk is large enough to hold all partitions on the source disk.
② Fit partitions to entire disk: all partitions will be cloned to the target disk and take up its full capacity according to the original partition size proportion.
③ Edit partitions on this disk: you can change every partition size on the target disk as you need.

Step 6. After returning to the main interface, check the pending operation and click "Apply" and "Proceed" to commit the operation.

Way 2. Migrate OS only to a new PC

If your goal is to only transfer the operating system, this is the most efficient approach for installing Windows on a new PC.

If you just want to keep the OS, you can only transfer OS to the new hard drive.

Step 1. Connect the hard drive in your new computer to your old computer. If the old OS is on a laptop, you need to prepare a SATA-USB adapter.

Step 2. Install and run Partition Assistant Standard. Click “Migrate OS” in the "Clone" function list on the top toolbar. It can also apply to HDD.

Step 3. Select the new hard drive as the target disk. If there is a partition on SSD, check “I want to delete all partitions on disk 2 to migrate system to the disk” and make “Next” available.

Step 4. Drag to resize the system partition or just type the desired number in the box below.

Don’t forget to read the Note in this window.

Step 5. Click “Apply” and “Proceed” to execute the pending operations.

After the migration, you can remove the new disk and plug it into your new computer, then try to boot to check if the move is successful.

Manually Put Windows on a New PC by creating installation media

For those who prefer a fresh installation, the manual method is a reliable option. Here's how to put Windows 10 on a new PC (the process is very similar to Windows 11) using a bootable USB.

Step 1. Create a Bootable USB

* On a working computer, go to the official Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 or 11.

* You'll need a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage.

* Run the Media Creation Tool and select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC."

* Follow the on-screen prompts, selecting your desired language, edition, and architecture.

* Choose "USB flash drive" as the media type and select your connected USB drive. The tool will then download the necessary files and create the bootable drive.

Step 2. Configure BIOS/UEFI on the New PC

* Insert the bootable USB into your new computer.

* Power on the PC and immediately press the key to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (commonly Del, F2, F10, or Esc).

* Navigate to the "Boot" tab and set the USB drive as the primary boot device.

* Ensure the boot mode is set to UEFI for newer systems.

* Save the changes and exit.

Step 3. Install Windows

* The computer will now boot from the USB drive, and you'll see the Windows Setup screen.

* Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard input method, then click "Next."

* Click "Install now."

* Enter your Windows product key if you have one. If not, you can select "I don't have a product key" to activate it later.

* Choose the version of Windows you want to install and accept the license terms.

* Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)."

* You will see a list of drives and partitions. On a new PC, you'll likely see unallocated space. Select it and click "New" to create partitions. Windows will automatically create the necessary system partitions.

* Select the primary partition where you want to install Windows and click "Next."

Step 4. Complete the Installation

* Windows will now begin the installation process, which involves copying files and installing features. Your computer will restart several times.

* After the final restart, you will be guided through the Out of Box Experience (OOBE), where you can set up your user account, connect to a network, and configure privacy settings.

Ending

Whether you opt for the simplicity of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional or the traditional manual installation, you now have a clear roadmap for how to put Windows on a new PC. The easiest way to install Windows on a new PC is undoubtedly by migrating your existing system, as it saves time and preserves your familiar environment. However, a manual installation offers a completely fresh start. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate the process and have your new computer up and running in no time.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

100% Secure