Boot Windows 10 from USB

[gnguralnick]

Hi.
I have an ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 motherboard with BIOS (UEFI) version 2103. I have Windows 10 installed on my hdd, but want to have it on my ssd with my files on the hdd.
I have been told to install a fresh copy of Windows 10 on my ssd using a USB drive, and have followed the instructions (Rufus, NTFS, GTS for UEFI) to do so.
When i boot up into my boot menu, there is no usb drive option, and nothing related to one. I see Windows Boot Manager, my ssd, and my hdd. I have an admin account in my bios, have tried starting up with fast boot and secure boot enabled and disabled, and have CSM enabled for legacy devices. Nowhere, in my boot option priorities, boot override, or boot menu is there a mention of a usb removable device. The motherboard is fairly recent, so there should be no problem with booting from USB. Is there something I'm doing wrong? I have used emulation software to verify that the USB is bootable to Windows 10 installation.
EDIT - The USB drive is a 7.8 GB drive.
EDIT 2 - Nevermind, i got it. Turns out i was using a bad usb.

 

[webworkings]

Well, it could be that the USB drive you are using isn't compatible, or correctly compatible, with that laptop. It happens.

Also, it could be the way the data was placed on the USB drive. If it was copied onto it, rather than burned, it may not read it.

 

[azaran]

Well if the partition and info on your HDD is small enough, you can use a cloning tool and just clone over to the SSD.

If thats not an option:

First backup your important files just in case.

Disconnect any drive but the SSD from the motherboard.

Make sure the SSD is in SATA 0 port.

Instead of using Rufus and or any other 3rd party tool, I'd recommend using the Microsoft USB tool here to build your USB
https/www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/

After that, with the USB drive inserted before booting the computer, hit F8 when the Asus logo shows up. This should bring up the motherboards boot manager and allow you to select the USB drive.

Provided your USB drive is seen, load Windows on to the SSD.

After you're done, power down, plug back in the HDD. Make sure its not setup as a boot drive in BIOS, and then boot up and you should be running off your SSD. From there I'd back up your files you want to keep from the HDD (if you didn't before), format the HDD and then load the files back on it.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

You should use the Microsoft media installer as it will select the correct options to use
I believe it will format as FAT32 not NTFS
https/www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

though Rufus or many other tools can do the same thing if the correct options are chosen


When I insert a USB memory stick which is Win 8 or 10 bootable into my PC
Power on and press the Boot media choice key F8
(may be F11 or F12 on other brands)

I get a choice of UEFI sandisk USB or sandisk USB
to boot windows 8 or 10 I use uefi sandisk option

note to boot off USB when Quick boot + Quick Shutdown is enabled in Windows 8 or 10 & UEFI
requires the additional step of Shift + mouse click on Restart then selecting restart from USB (or enter UEFI)
It seems you can get into your UEFI so these extra steps will not be needed

guidance here
http/www.howtogeek.com/126016/three-ways-to-access-the-windows-8-boot-options-menu/


regards
Mike Barnes