How do I get my pre-installed win 10 onto a bootable usb?

Creating a Bootable Windows 10 USB from an Existing Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Many users find themselves in a situation where they want to switch operating systems—perhaps from Windows to Linux—yet still retain the ability to reinstall Windows if needed. This is especially relevant when dealing with pre-installed Windows 10 systems, where the process of creating a bootable installation media can seem daunting. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive from your existing installation, leveraging tools like Ventoy, and explain how to retrieve your product keys securely.

Why Create a Bootable Windows 10 USB from Your Current System?

Ease of Reinstallation: Having a bootable Windows installer ready can save you time if you decide to revert from Linux or need to troubleshoot.
Hardware Compatibility: Your current system configuration ensures you’re installing the correct version and edition.
Convenience: Using tools like Ventoy allows you to manage multiple ISO images on a single USB drive without frequent reformatting.

Key Challenges Addressed

Retrieving Your Windows 10 Product Key: Since your Windows 10 is pre-installed, the product key is typically embedded in the system’s BIOS or UEFI firmware.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive: Using Ventoy or similar tools enables you to create a versatile bootable media for Windows installation.

Step 1: Extract Your Windows 10 Product Key

Before creating your bootable media, ensure you have your Windows product key. Here’s how to locate it if it’s embedded in your system:

Using PowerShell:
Open PowerShell as Administrator.
Enter the following command:

powershell (Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
If the key is stored in BIOS/UEFI, this command should display it.
Using a Key Finder Tool:
If the above method doesn’t work, consider using third-party software like ProduKey or Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder to extract the embedded product key.
Note: Many OEM systems have a digital license linked to your hardware, and the key may not be necessary for reinstallation if you’re reinstalling the same edition of Windows 10.