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How to Create a Bootable USB Drive for Windows
Edited 7 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
WindowsUSBBootableInstallationOperating SystemMicrosoftPCLaptopSoftwareSetup
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Creating a bootable USB drive for the Windows operating system is a handy skill that everyone should be familiar with. Whether you're installing Windows on a new machine or fixing a broken system, having a bootable USB drive can save you a lot of time and hassle. In this article, we'll guide you through the entire process of creating a bootable USB drive using simple step-by-step instructions that even beginners can follow. We'll explain various methods using different tools and software, allowing you to choose the method that best suits your needs.
Why create a bootable USB drive?
Before we move on to the steps, let’s find out why you should create a bootable USB drive. A bootable USB drive is essentially a portable device that contains operating system installation or recovery software. It allows you to start (boot) your computer from USB instead of your hard drive. Here are some scenarios where a bootable USB drive can be beneficial:
- Installing a new operating system: If you have a new computer or want to install a new version of Windows, a bootable USB drive simplifies the installation process.
- System Recovery: If your Windows system fails to start, a bootable USB containing recovery tools can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
- Testing or running a different operating system: A bootable USB allows you to temporarily test or use a different operating system without affecting your current setup.
Requirements for creating a bootable USB drive
To create a bootable USB drive for Windows you will need the following:
- USB flash drive: You'll need a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. This is because the Windows installation files can be quite large.
- Windows ISO file: The ISO file contains Windows installation files. You can download it from Microsoft's official website.
- Access to a working computer: You'll need a computer to download the necessary files and create a bootable USB drive.
- Software tools: Depending on the method you choose, you may need additional software like the Windows Media Creation Tool or Rufus.
Method 1: Using the Windows Media Creation Tool
Windows Media Creation Tool is Microsoft's official software to create bootable USB drives for Windows. It is easy to use and does not require any additional software installation. How to use it:
Step 1: Download the Windows Media Creation Tool
Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Windows Media Creation Tool. This tool is compatible with multiple Windows versions including Windows 10 and newer versions.
Step 2: Run the Media Creation Tool
Once the download is complete, run the Media Creation Tool application. You may need to allow it to make changes to your device by clicking 'Yes' when prompted by User Account Control.
Step 3: Accept the license terms
Read the license terms carefully and then click 'Accept' to proceed. This is a necessary step to use the software legally.
Step 4: Choose your task
The tool will present you with two options:
- Upgrade this PC now: This option is used to upgrade the current computer to a newer version of Windows.
- Create installation media (USB, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC: Select this option if you want to create a bootable USB drive.
Select 'Create installation media (USB, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC' and click 'Next.'
Step 5: Select the language, architecture, and edition
In the next window, you can choose the language, version, and architecture of Windows. By default, it will match the configuration of the computer you are using, but you can change these settings if necessary. Once done, click 'Next'.
Step 6: Choose the USB Flash Drive
The tool will then ask you if you want to create a USB flash drive or download an ISO file. Select 'USB Flash Drive' and click 'Next'.
Step 7: Insert the USB drive and create a bootable USB
Insert your USB flash drive into your computer. Make sure there is no important data on the USB drive as it will be formatted during the process. The tool will detect your USB drive and display it in the list. Select your USB drive and click 'Next' to start the process. The Media Creation Tool will download the required files and create a bootable USB drive.
Step 8: Wait for the process to finish
The creation process may take some time depending on your internet speed and computer performance. Once it is done, you will receive a message that your USB drive is ready.
Method 2: Using Rufus
Rufus is a free and open-source utility that allows you to easily create bootable USB drives. It is very popular and supports a wide range of BIOS and UEFI boot modes. Here is how to use Rufus:
Step 1: Download Rufus
Visit the official Rufus website and download the latest version of Rufus. This application is a small executable file that does not require installation.
Step 2: Prepare your USB drive
Insert your USB flash drive into the computer. Be sure to back up any important data from the USB drive as it will be erased during the creation process.
Step 3: Launch Rufus and select the device
Open the Rufus application. It will automatically detect the connected USB flash drive and display it in the 'Device' dropdown menu. Make sure the correct USB drive is selected.
Step 4: Choose the boot selection
Under 'Boot Selection', click the 'Select' button. This will open a file dialog where you can select your Windows ISO file that you downloaded earlier.
Step 5: Configure the partition scheme and file system
Rufus will automatically configure the partition scheme and file system for optimal compatibility. It is generally recommended to use 'GPT' for UEFI systems and 'MBR' for older BIOS systems. The file system for Windows should be NTFS. If you are not sure, you can usually leave these options at their default settings.
Step 6: Begin the Process
Once you have configured the options, click the 'START' button to begin the bootable USB creation process. Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Confirm by clicking 'OK'.
Step 7: Wait till it completes
This process will take several minutes to complete. When Rufus finishes creating the bootable USB drive, you will see 'READY' at the bottom of the window.
Method 3: Using Command Prompt
For those who are more technically savvy, creating a bootable USB drive via the Command Prompt is a viable method. This approach involves using various Disk Management commands to manually prepare the USB drive.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges: You can do this by searching for 'cmd' in the Windows search bar, right-clicking on the Command Prompt application, and selecting 'Run as administrator'.
Step 2: Run Diskpart
Type the following command and press Enter to launch the disk partitioning tool:
diskpart
Step 3: List the disks
In the Diskpart environment, type the following command to display a list of all available drives:
List Disks
Step 4: Identify the USB drive
Identify your USB flash drive from the list. It will probably be listed as 'Disk X', where X is the disk number. Take note of this number.
Step 5: Select the disk
Type this command, replacing X with the actual disk number for your USB drive:
select disk X
Step 6: Clean the drive
This command will erase all data on the drive:
Clean
Step 7: Create the new partition
Create a primary partition using this command:
Create primary partition
Step 8: Select the partition
Select the new partition with this command:
select partition 1
Step 9: Make the Partition Active
To make the partition bootable, type the following:
Active
Step 10: Format the partition
Format the partition as NTFS. Use this command:
format fs=ntfs quick
Step 11: Assign the drive letter
Assign a drive letter to your USB drive with this command:
Assign
Step 12: Copy Windows Files
Copy the Windows installation files from your ISO or installation media to the USB drive. For simplicity, you can use the normal copy-paste function in Windows Explorer at this point.
Testing Your Bootable USB Drive
After creating a bootable USB drive using one of the above methods, it's a good idea to test it to make sure everything is working properly. You can do this by connecting the USB drive to the computer and setting the BIOS or UEFI firmware to boot from it:
- Insert the bootable USB drive into your system.
- Reboot or turn on the computer.
- Enter BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing a specific key (usually Del, F2, or Esc) during startup.
- Find the boot order settings and change the first boot device to your USB drive.
- Save the changes and exit BIOS/UEFI settings.
If the USB is bootable, you'll see the Windows installation screen or recovery options, depending on what you copied to your USB drive.
Conclusion
Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows is an invaluable skill for any computer user. With the methods explained above, you now have the knowledge needed to be prepared for various scenarios such as installing a new OS, recovering a failed system, or testing different operating systems without affecting your existing setup. Whether you choose to use Microsoft's official Media Creation Tool, the reliable Rufus utility, or the manual Command Prompt technique, each method provides a robust solution with a successful outcome. Always remember to verify your bootable USB by testing it in the system, and keep it handy for whenever you need it. Be prepared and confident in your ability to efficiently manage your Windows installation and recovery.
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