How to create a bootable USB drive for windows 10

Create a bootable USB drive with software: A Step-by-Step Guide

Rufus is a popular and powerful tool to create bootable USB drives, compatible with a wide range of operating systems and ISO images. Here’s a detailed guide to walk you through the process:

1. Gather Your Arsenal:

Before diving in, ensure you have the following ready:

• A USB drive: Choose one with at least 8GB of storage. Remember, formatting will erase existing data, so back up anything important beforehand.
• Your desired operating system (e.g., Windows 10/11 ISO, Linux ISO).

2. Launch Rufus:

Open the downloaded Rufus executable file. The main interface will appear:

3. Device Selection:

In the “Device” dropdown menu, choose your USB drive from the list.

4. Boot Selection:

Click the “Disc icon” next to the “Boot selection” label. Navigate to the location of your downloaded ISO image and select it. Rufus will automatically configure the settings based on the chosen ISO.

5. Partition Scheme and Target System:

In the “Partition scheme & target system type” section, choose options compatible with your target system. GPT for UEFI boot and MBR for Legacy BIOS boot are typical choices. If unsure, consult your system’s documentation or manufacturer’s website.

6. File System and Cluster Size:

Select the desired “File system” (e.g., NTFS for Windows, FAT32 for broader compatibility) and “Cluster size” (typically leave it as default).

7. Label and Formatting:

Give your bootable drive a descriptive name in the “New label” field. Ensure “Quick format” and “Create a bootable disk using FreeDOS” are checked.

8. Time to Flash!

Click the “Start” button. A warning message will pop up, reminding you that the USB drive will be formatted. Double-check your settings and click “OK” to proceed.

9. Patience is Key:

Rufus will now flash the ISO image onto your USB drive. The process might take a few minutes, so grab a coffee and relax.

10. All Aboard the Bootable Express!

Once complete, a success message will appear. Your USB drive is now bootable! Safely eject it and follow the instructions for booting your target system from the USB drive. Now almost everywhere bootable usb drive is used to installation of window/Linux operating system.

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Creating a bootable USB drive using Command Prompt (CMD)

1. Insert the USB Drive:

• Plug your USB drive into an available USB port on your computer.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

• Right-click on the Start button (Windows icon) and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).” If you’re using an older version of Windows, you might see “Command Prompt” instead of “PowerShell.”

1. Open Diskpart:

• In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

1. List Available Drives:

• Type the following command to list all the drives on your computer and press Enter:
  list disk
• Identify your USB drive from the list. It’s crucial to choose the correct drive to avoid data loss.

1. Select the USB Drive:

• Type the following command to select your USB drive (replace X with the appropriate drive number for your USB drive):
  select disk X

1. Clean the USB Drive:

• Type the following command to erase all data on the USB drive:
  clean

1. Create a Primary Partition:

• Type the following command to create a primary partition on the USB drive:
  create partition primary

1. Select the Partition:

• Type the following command to select the newly created partition:
  select partition 1

1. Format the Partition:

• Type the following command to format the partition as FAT32:
  format fs=fat32 quick

1. Assign a Drive Letter:
   • Type the following command to assign a drive letter to the USB drive:
   assign
2. Set the Partition as Active:
   • Type the following command to set the partition as active:
   active
3. Exit Diskpart:
   • Type the following command to exit the Diskpart utility:
   exit
4. Copy Windows Installation Files:
   • Copy all the files from your Windows installation ISO or DVD to the USB drive. You can do this manually or use a tool like xcopy or Robocopy.

Your USB drive is now bootable and ready to be used for installing Windows. Remember to adjust the commands accordingly if you’re creating a bootable USB drive for a different operating system or purpose.