In short: Windows 10 Pro is installed from a USB drive created with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, then activated by entering your 25-character product key in Settings > Update & Security > Activation. The whole process takes about an hour on most PCs.
Windows 10 support status: Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Windows 10 Pro still installs and activates normally, but it no longer receives free security updates. If your PC meets the requirements, consider installing Windows 11 Pro instead.
Before you start
Check that your PC meets the Windows 10 Pro system requirements:
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, or a system on a chip (SoC) |
|---|---|
| RAM | 1 GB for 32-bit, 2 GB for 64-bit |
| Storage | 32 GB of free disk space |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 or later with a WDDM 1.0 driver |
| Display | 800 x 600 or higher |
| You will also need | A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB, an internet connection, and your Windows 10 Pro product key |
Back up your files first. A clean installation erases the drive you install Windows on.
Step 1: Create a bootable USB drive
- On any working Windows PC, open Microsoft's Windows 10 download page and download the Media Creation Tool.
- Run the tool and click Accept on the licence terms.
- Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, then click Next.
- Choose your language, the Windows 10 edition, and the 64-bit architecture, then click Next.
- Select USB flash drive, choose your drive from the list, and click Next. The tool downloads Windows 10 and copies it to the USB drive.
Note: Everything on the USB drive is deleted during this step.
Step 2: Boot the PC from the USB drive
- Insert the USB drive into the PC where you want to install Windows 10 Pro.
- Restart the PC and open the boot menu. The key is usually F12, F11, F2, Esc or Del, depending on the manufacturer.
- Select the USB drive. If it is not listed, open the BIOS or UEFI settings and move the USB drive to the top of the boot order, then save and restart.
Step 3: Install Windows 10 Pro
- Choose your language, time and keyboard settings, then click Next and Install now.
- On the product key screen, enter your key now, or click I don't have a product key to activate after installation.
- If Setup asks which edition to install, select Windows 10 Pro.
- Accept the licence terms and choose Custom: Install Windows only.
- Select the drive to install on and click Next. The PC restarts several times while Windows installs.
- Follow the on-screen setup to create your account and privacy settings.
Step 4: Activate Windows 10 Pro
- Connect the PC to the internet.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Update & Security > Activation.
- Click Change product key.
- Enter the 25-character key from your Msckey order email and click Next, then Activate.
- Go to Update & Security > Windows Update and install any available updates.
If activation fails
- Check the edition. A Windows 10 Pro key only activates Windows 10 Pro. If Settings shows Windows 10 Home, entering the Pro key upgrades the edition first.
- Check the key. Copy it directly from your order email to avoid typing errors.
-
Phone activation keys: press Windows + R, type
slui 4, choose your country, and use the Installation ID on our Get Confirmation ID page. - Still stuck? Email support@msckey.com with your order number and a screenshot of the error.
Need a Windows 10 Pro key?
Msckey sells genuine Windows 10 Pro product keys delivered by email, usually within 1 to 24 hours of payment confirmation.
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