How to create a bootable USB drive for Windows?
Jul 26, 2025 am 07:57 AMTo create a bootable Windows USB drive, select the right tools and mirror files and follow the steps. 1. Prepare USB drives above 8GB, networked computers, official ISO files and production tools such as Media Creation Tool or Rufus; 2. Use Media Creation Tool to quickly create the latest system installation disk. It takes about 10 to 20 minutes to write to USB drive after selecting the corresponding language and version; 3. Rufus provides more customization options, supports loading any ISO files and selecting partition plans; 4. After the production is completed, you need to enter the BIOS/UEFI setting to turn off Secure Boot, adjust the startup sequence, and confirm using the USB drive to boot; the parameters need to be carefully selected throughout the process to ensure successful installation.
Creating a bootable Windows USB drive is not actually complicated. As long as the methods and tools are right, most people can complete it smoothly. The key is to select the right image file, use reliable production tools, and ensure that the operation steps are not wrong.

Prepare the necessary materials
Before you start, you need to prepare the following:
- A USB drive with a capacity of at least 8GB (USB 3.0 or newer is recommended)
- A computer that is already connected to the internet
- Windows' official ISO image file (can be downloaded from Microsoft's official website)
- A production tool, such as Microsoft's official Media Creation Tool or third-party tools such as Rufus, Ventoy, etc.
The USB drive will be formatted, so remember to back up the data in advance.

Quickly create using official Microsoft tools
If you just want to install the latest version of Windows 10 or Windows 11, Microsoft's own Media Creation Tool is the most worry-free choice.
- Download and run the Media Creation Tool
- After accepting the license terms, select Create installation media for another computer
- Select language, version, and architecture (usually 64-bit)
- Insert the USB drive, the program will automatically recognize and prompt you to start writing.
This process takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and the specific time depends on your USB drive speed.

Make a more flexible boot disk with Rufus
If you need more control options, such as choosing a specific partitioning scheme, booting methods, or using unofficial ISO files, Rufus is a great option.
- Download and open Rufus (no installation required)
- Insert the USB drive and the program will automatically recognize it
- Click the disc icon in "Boot Selection" to load your prepared ISO file
- Select the "MBR" or "GPT" partition plan according to the motherboard type of the target computer
- Click "Start" to confirm the format warning and execute it
Rufus supports many older system versions and is also suitable for fixing the inability to use official tools.
Pay attention to BIOS/UEFI setup issues
Sometimes even if the USB drive is ready, the computer still refuses to recognize it, which is usually due to the BIOS or UEFI setup problem.
- The shortcut keys to enter the BIOS are generally F2, F12, Del or Esc, and there are slight differences between different brands.
- Make sure "Secure Boot" is turned off, or set to "Other OS" mode
- Check the startup sequence and set the USB drive as the first startup item
Some computers also distinguish between "Legacy" and "UEFI" startup methods. If the installation of the system fails, you can try to switch.
Basically that's it. The whole process is not difficult, but be careful not to choose the wrong options at each step, especially the partition and boot mode part, otherwise it may not be possible to install the system normally.
The above is the detailed content of How to create a bootable USB drive for Windows?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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