Guide for Managing and Installing Windows from USB
Formatting Your Hard Drive from BIOS on Dell XPS 15 7590
Formatting your hard drive from the BIOS isn't directly possible, but you can boot from a USB
drive and use the Windows setup utility or a third-party tool to format the drive.
Here's a step-by-step guide to format your Dell XPS 15 7590 hard drive by booting from a USB
drive.
Steps to Format the Hard Drive
1. Power off your Dell XPS 15 7590.
2. Power it on and press F2 repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup.
3. In the BIOS, set USB as the Primary Boot Device and reboot.
4. Boot from the USB and use Windows Setup to delete or format partitions.
5. Proceed with Windows installation if desired.
Wiping the Hard Drive from BIOS Without a USB Drive
Dell XPS 15 7590 has a Data Wipe function in BIOS under the Maintenance tab:
1. Access BIOS by pressing F2.
2. Navigate to Maintenance > Data Wipe, select and confirm.
3. Save and exit BIOS to initiate the wiping process.
Installing Windows from a USB Drive After Wiping the Hard Drive
1. Set up your bootable USB with the Windows installation files.
2. Insert the USB, access BIOS (F2) and set it as the primary boot device.
3. Start the Windows installation and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Select the wiped drive and install Windows.
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 with a Bootable USB
Steps to upgrade safely:
1. Insert the bootable Windows 11 USB and access the Boot Menu (F12).
2. Begin installation and choose "Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files...".
3. Follow instructions and check activation post-installation.
Adding Files to the Windows Media Creation USB
It is best not to rename or add files to the USB created with Media Creation Tool as it may
interfere with its structure. Adding personal files in a separate folder in the root is safer.
Why Some USBs Can Hold Multiple OS Installers
Multi-boot tools like Ventoy organize boot files separately to allow multiple OS installers on one
USB. Tools like YUMI and Rufus also help in creating a structured multi-boot environment.
What is a Root Directory?
The root directory is the main or top-level directory on a storage device. On a USB drive, it is the
first location you see when you open the drive, where all files are organized.