Windows 10: USB or DVD Boot Drive Determination/Selection

I have downloaded and successfully installed Windows 10 version 1703 including the recent update. Now, I need to download and create Installation Media and note I need to determine whether this PC is setup to boot from USB drive or DVD drive. Either advancing age or brain cramp-but my recollection fails. How do I determine whether DVD or USB is set as boot drive? Does one have advantage over the other? I there any reason for both to be designated as boot drive?

:)

 

Windows 8.1 Setup Tool Doesnt Work

Hello,

Let's determine the cause of the issue. To get started, we'd like to clarify where did you store the Media Creation Tool. Is it on the USB or on the C/DVD?

You can also make sure if the boot priority is properly set. To check, please follow these steps:

• Start the computer and press ESC, F1, F2, F8 or F10 during the initial startup screen. (Depending on the BIOS manufacturer)
• Choose to enter BIOS setup.
• Use the arrow keys to select the BOOT tab and system devices appear in order of priority.
• To give a CD or DVD drive boot sequence priority over the hard drive, move it to the first position in the list. To give a USB device boot sequence priority
  over the hard drive, do the following:
  
  Move the hard drive device to the top of the boot sequence list.
  
  Expand the hard drive device to display all hard drives.
  
  Move the USB device to the top of the list of hard drives.
  
• Save and exit the BIOS setup utility.
• The computer will restart with the changed settings.

We're looking forward to your response.

 

Windows 10 recovery failed

You need to select an option to boot from the media, whether it is DVD or USB. Some times you need to go to the bios to change the boot order and others there is a key you can press to select the boot device.

It sounds like your system is set to boot from the first hard drive so it always tries the hard drive which at the moment will not boot.

Check you PC documents to see how to change the boot order. I suspect if it is Vista vintage that it will not boot from USB and needs a DVD.

 

Well that would be set in you BIOS, if you do a lot of booting with either USB or DVD it is helpful to have either or both selected as firs choice boots. Otherwise there is not point in having either selected as first or anywhere in the booting sequence. There a ways to get a USB or DVD to boot first using a key or key sequence on boot up. On my computers some use the Esc Key. So if I need to boot say my Macrium Reflect Bootable recovery media on USB Stick. On boot up I'll spam the Esc key and up pops a boot menu where I'll select UEFI USB or UEFI DVD or USB or DVD to boot from this boot. On others it might be F2 or Del or F8, you just need to learn which key it is for your computer.
So the answer for most people now days with relatively modern equipment no you don't need or want USB or DVD as first boot options

 

Welcome to TenForums @Abe Froman

You only need to boot from your USB or DVD intstall media if you want to do a clean install. How you do this varies from one manufacturer to the next, and on what type of BIOS you have. For some you need to enter the BIOS and change the boot order, others have a boot selection menu that you get to at boot time by pressing F12 (or similar). Check your manual for details.

For Dell I believe it's F12. You will need to boot from cold to get this option, so turn off fast start, or Restart the PC rather than use 'Shut down'.

 

You also get a full shutdown, bypassing Windows fast startup, by holding down the Shift key when you click on the Shutdown option of the power button menu.