Introduction to the System Upgrade Process

Updating the operating system on devices Lenovo often requires a clean approach, especially if the current version of Windows is unstable or slowed down by accumulated digital junk. Laptops of this brand have their own characteristics in the BIOS architecture and boot management, which must be taken into account before starting the process. A simple reinstallation may not solve the problem if the boot device priority is not configured correctly.

In this article we will analyze each stage: from creating a bootable USB flash drive to final driver configuration. You don't need specialized programming skills, but paying attention and following instructions will be the key to success. We will pay special attention to models with processors Intel and AMD, as their settings may differ.

Preparing bootable media

The first step is to create a bootable USB flash drive. To do this, you will need a USB drive with a capacity of at least 8 GB, all data on which will be deleted. Use the official tool Media Creation Tool from Microsoft or program Rufus to form an image. It is important to choose the right file system: for modern laptops Lenovo this must be NTFS or FAT32 depending on BIOS settings.

After downloading the image ISO Windows 10, burn it to media. If you are using Rufus, be sure to check the partition scheme: for UEFI choose GPT, and for outdated Legacy — MBR. An error here will result in the system simply not seeing the boot disk.

  • 📥 Download Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website
  • 💾 Select the option “Create installation media”
  • 🔌 Connect the flash drive and wait until the recording finishes

Backup and save data

Before you begin installation, it is critical to save all important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage. The process of formatting the partition where the current OS is installed completely destroys all data. Even if you plan to simply upgrade, there is a risk of losing information due to a power failure or driver error.

Pay attention to the folder Downloads and Documents, since users often forget about the files stored there. Also check the safety of license keys for programs that are not linked to your Microsoft account. If you have drivers for specific hardware, it is better to download them in advance.

⚠️ Attention: If on your laptop Lenovo encryption is used BitLocker, be sure to save the recovery key somewhere else, otherwise access to the data will be lost forever.

Setting up BIOS and Boot Menu on Lenovo laptops

The most difficult step for many users is entering the BIOS settings and changing the boot order. On laptops Lenovo this is often done through a special button Novo Button (small hole with a curved arrow next to the power button) or by pressing a key F1 / F2 when turned on. In the new interface UEFI The menu looks different than in older BIOS versions.

You need to find the section Boot or Startup and move your flash drive to the top of your priority list. If you don't see the flash drive in the list, check your settings Secure Boot and CSM. Sometimes you need to turn it off Secure Boot or enable compatibility mode Legacy (CSM), if the image was not recorded correctly for UEFI.

  • 🔧 Click F1 or F2 when turned on to enter BIOS
  • 🚀 In the section Boot move the USB device to the top of the list
  • 🔒 Disable Secure Bootif the system does not see the bootloader
📊 What processor is installed in your laptop?
  • Intel Core i3/i5/i7
  • Intel Core i9
  • AMD Ryzen 3/5/7
  • AMD Ryzen 9
  • Other

Windows 10 installation process

After setting the BIOS, the laptop will reboot and start from the flash drive. You will see the Windows installation welcome window. Select your language, time, and keyboard layout, then click Install. If the system asks for a product key, you can enter it now or click "I don't have a product key" to activate it later.

Select the installation type - "Custom: Windows installation only (advanced users)." Here you will see a list of disks and partitions. If you want a clean system, delete all partitions on the target disk until "Unallocated space on disk 0" remains. This ensures there are no conflicts with older bootloaders.

☑️ Check before formatting

Done: 0 / 4

After formatting, copying of files will begin. This may take from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the speed of your drive. Do not interrupt the process or remove the flash drive until the system asks to reboot. If the screen goes dark, this is normal - the laptop goes into sleep mode or reboots.

⚠️ Attention: If the installation starts again after rebooting, go into the BIOS and temporarily disable USB booting so that the system boots from the hard drive.

Installing drivers and setting up Lenovo Vantage

After logging in, the first thing you need to do is install the drivers. Although Windows 10 automatically finds basic drivers, to get the full potential of your laptop Lenovo official software is required. Download and install the application Lenovo Vantage from the Microsoft Store is a control center that will automatically check and update all the necessary components.

Pay special attention to chipset, video card and network adapter drivers. Without them, the keyboard, touchpad, or REM sleep may not work. Also check for BIOS updates, as this may resolve overheating or peripheral compatibility issues.

  • 🚀 Install Lenovo Vantage from the app store
  • 🔄 Run a check for updates in the “Drivers and Programs” section
  • ⚙️ Update BIOS if a new update is available
What to do if the touchpad does not work after installation?|Often the problem lies in the Synaptics or Precision Touchpad driver. Go to Device Manager, find "Mice and other pointing devices", remove the device and click "Update hardware configuration" or install the driver manually through Lenovo Vantage.-->