Seeing as my main system is running 64-bit, but my old Dell Studio 1536 laptop is running 32-bit, I chose to create a Flash Drive that contains both the 64-bit and 32-bit setup files. This requires media with at least 6GB free. Which means either using a Flash Drive or dual-layer DVD. Your typical DVD media only has 4GB available, and dual-layer isn't a common format to find in stores such as Walmart, Office Depot/OfficeMax, etc; though they can be found online. Where as finding 8GB flash drives are extremely easy. I chose a PNY 8GB. Found a twin pack at my local Walmart a few months ago for $13.
The process of creating a Windows 10 Flash drive is fairly simple and straight forward. Basically, you download the tool, run it, select your language, what version, what type of media, and sit back and let the tool do the rest.
You can get to the download page by simply Googling "Windows 10 media creation tool", which takes you to an overview page with the download link:
Following the link for the Software download page gives you the choice of two formats to download, depending on the computer you will run the program from. Either 32, or 64-bit. Again, this is just about running the tool, not what version of Windows you are wanting to create media for:
Once your download has finished, you may run it. One thing to note, this does require administrator rights, so you will get the User Access Control pop-up to confirm that you are wanting to run it. This would be due to the fact this program not only makes the media, but can be run itself to upgrade the PC you're running it on.
Make the selection to create media and click Next. Then you are presented with Language, Edition, and Architecture options.
Remember to qualify for Windows 10 Pro, you must have either Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, or Windows 8.1 Pro. Windows Enterprise does not qualify for this, and other versions of 7 and 8.1 will get Home. Make your selections, then click Next.
Now you get to decide which media you will use. If you choose USB flash drive, the tool will do all the necessary work. If you choose ISO file, it is downloaded and you will be prompted to burn now or you can choose to burn later, using whatever ISO burning tool you wish. I selected USB.
Now you are presented with a list of all the USB drives currently detected on your system for you to choose from. As the screen shot shows, all files on the drive will be deleted, so be very certain that the drive does not contain anything you wish to keep. Click on the drive you want, then Next
Now that you have selected which versions and formats of Windows 10 you want to create media for, you get to wait while the tool downloads the package. It didn't take very long for me, and the time will vary depending on your connection speed.
Once the download is complete, the tool will begin creating your Windows 10 USB Flash Drive Installation Media.
And now the drive is complete, and you can use it to upgrade any validated Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 system.
I have performed this myself to create a Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home USB flash drive with both 32 and 64-bit versions. My flash drives are different colors, but I also have labeled them with which edition they are. These will be very helpful to for if you have to upgrade multiple computers and don't want to use Windows Update to do so; or if you have to perform a reinstall due to whatever reason (i.e. hard drive replacement, system crash, virus infection, etc.)
