To boot from USB on a Dell computer running Windows 10, quickly tap the F12 key repeatedly after powering it on and select your USB drive from the boot menu. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Steps to Boot from USB:
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Insert the USB drive: Ensure your bootable Windows 10 USB drive is properly inserted into a USB port on your Dell computer.
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Power on or Restart: Turn on your Dell computer or restart it if it's already running.
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Access the Boot Menu: As soon as the Dell logo appears during startup, immediately and repeatedly tap the F12 key. This key may vary depending on your Dell model, but F12 is the most common. Keep tapping until the Boot Menu appears.
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Select the USB Drive: In the Boot Menu, use the arrow keys to navigate to and select your USB drive. It may be listed as "USB Storage Device," the brand name of the drive, or something similar.
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Press Enter: Once the USB drive is selected, press the Enter key to boot from it.
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Boot to Device (If Prompted): You might see a message like "Press any key to boot from USB..." If so, quickly press any key on your keyboard to initiate the boot process from the USB. If you don't press a key, the computer will likely attempt to boot from the hard drive instead.
Troubleshooting:
- F12 Not Working: If tapping F12 doesn't bring up the Boot Menu, try pressing the Fn key + F12 simultaneously. Also, check your BIOS settings (accessed by pressing F2 or Del during startup) to ensure that the Boot Menu is enabled.
- USB Not Recognized: Make sure the USB drive is bootable and properly formatted. Try using a different USB port.
- BIOS Boot Order: While selecting from the boot menu is the quickest way, you can also change the boot order in the BIOS to prioritize booting from USB. However, this is generally not recommended unless you frequently boot from USB.
- Secure Boot: Secure Boot in your BIOS might prevent booting from USB. You may need to disable Secure Boot in your BIOS settings to allow booting from the USB drive. Be aware of the security implications of disabling Secure Boot.
- Legacy Boot: Some older systems might require you to enable Legacy Boot mode in the BIOS for USB booting to function correctly. This is less common with newer Dell computers designed for Windows 10.
