How to Create a Bootable USB for Windows

Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows is essential for installing or reinstalling the operating system, performing system repairs, or upgrading to a new version. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for three reliable methods: using the Media Creation Tool, Rufus, and Command Prompt (CMD).

Method 1: Using the Media Creation Tool (Recommended for Beginners)

The Media Creation Tool is an official utility from Microsoft that simplifies the process of creating a bootable USB drive.

Requirements:

• A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage.
• A stable internet connection.
• A Windows PC.

Steps:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool:
   • Visit the official Microsoft website and download the tool for Windows 10 or Windows 11.
2. Run the Tool:
   • Launch the downloaded .exe file.
   • Accept the license terms when prompted.
3. Choose Installation Media:
   • Select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” and click Next.
4. Select Language, Edition, and Architecture:
   • Choose your preferred language, Windows edition, and architecture (32-bit, 64-bit, or both).
   • Click Next.
5. Choose USB Flash Drive:
   • Select “USB flash drive” and click Next.
6. Select Your USB Drive:
   • Choose the correct USB drive from the list.
   • Click Next.
7. Download and Create Media:
   • The tool will download the necessary files and create the bootable USB drive. This process may take some time depending on your internet speed.
8. Completion:
   • Once the process is complete, click Finish. Your bootable USB drive is ready for use.

Method 2: Using Rufus (For Advanced Users)

Rufus is a free, open-source tool that allows for more customization when creating bootable USB drives.

Requirements:

• A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage.
• A Windows ISO file.
• Download Rufus from the

Steps:

1. Launch Rufus:
   • Open the Rufus application. No installation is required.
2. Insert USB Drive:
   • Plug in your USB flash drive. Rufus should automatically detect it.
3. Select Boot Selection:
   • Click on “SELECT” and choose your downloaded Windows ISO file.
4. Configure Partition Scheme:
   • For most modern systems, select GPT partition scheme and UEFI target system.
   • For older systems, choose MBR partition scheme and BIOS (or UEFI-CSM) target system.
5. Start the Process:
   • Click Start.
   • If prompted, choose “Write in ISO Image mode (Recommended)” and click OK.
6. Wait for Completion:
   • The process will take a few minutes. Once done, your bootable USB drive is ready.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt (CMD) (Manual Method)

This method involves using the Command Prompt to manually create a bootable USB drive. It’s recommended for users comfortable with command-line operations.

Requirements:

• A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage.
• A Windows ISO file.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Launch Diskpart:
   • Type diskpart and press Enter.
3. List Disks:
   • Type list disk and press Enter to see all connected drives.
4. Select USB Drive:
   • Identify your USB drive from the list.
   • Type select disk X (replace X with your USB disk number) and press Enter.
5. Clean the Drive:
   • Type clean and press Enter. This will erase all data on the USB drive.
6. Create a Primary Partition:
   • Type create partition primary and press Enter.
7. Select the Partition:
   • Type select partition 1 and press Enter.
8. Format the Partition:
   • Type format fs=ntfs quick and press Enter.
   • For UEFI systems, use format fs=fat32 quick instead.
9. Make the Partition Active:
   • Type active and press Enter.
10. Assign a Drive Letter:
    • Type assign and press Enter.
11. Exit Diskpart:
    • Type exit and press Enter.
12. Mount the ISO File:
    • Right-click on your Windows ISO file and select Mount. Note the drive letter assigned to the mounted ISO.
13. Copy Files to USB Drive:
    • Use the following command to copy all files from the ISO to the USB drive:

markdown

CopyEdit

xcopy X:\*.* Y:\ /E /F /H

1. • • Replace X: with the drive letter of the mounted ISO.
     • Replace Y: with the drive letter of your USB drive.
2. Completion:
   • Once the copying is complete, your bootable USB drive is ready.

Tips and Considerations

• Backup Data: Creating a bootable USB drive will erase all existing data on the drive. Ensure you back up any important files before proceeding.
• Use Reliable Sources: Always download Windows ISO files and tools from official Microsoft sources to avoid corrupted or malicious files.
• Check System Compatibility: Ensure your target system supports booting from USB and that the BIOS/UEFI settings are configured accordingly.
• UEFI vs. BIOS: Modern systems use UEFI, while older systems use BIOS. Choose the appropriate partition scheme (GPT for UEFI, MBR for BIOS) when creating the bootable drive.