6 ways to make a bootable USB flash drive with Windows

1. Using the Media Creation Tool

Operating system: Windows.

This method is official. It is suitable if you want to install a licensed copy of Windows. But to activate it, you must have the appropriate key. The Media Creation Tool will download a licensed Windows image from the Microsoft server and write it to a USB flash drive. As a result, you will get a bootable drive.

Download the Media Creation Tool from the Microsoft website, which is designed to create an installation flash drive, by clicking the big blue "Download tool now" button.

Run the utility and select Create Installation Media. Then check "Use the recommended settings for this computer" if you plan to install Windows on your current PC, or enter the settings that are appropriate for another computer.

How to make a bootable USB flash drive using the Media Creation Tool

Next, select "USB flash drive", mark the desired drive in the list of available devices and confirm your choice. After that, wait for the completion of file operations. After a few minutes, the installation stick will be ready for use.

Download Media Creation Tool →

2. Without third-party programs

Operating system: any.

This and the following methods require a Windows ISO image. It can be downloaded, for example, from torrent trackers.

This method is suitable if you are going to install Windows on a more or less modern computer with a UEFI shell (a graphical interface instead of the old BIOS). The bottom line is as follows: clear the contents of the flash drive and copy the system image onto it exclusively by means of the OS.

Before creating a bootable USB flash drive, format the drive in the FAT32 file system. Then open the ISO image in Explorer, select all internal files and folders and right-click on them. In the context menu, select "Send" and specify the target flash drive in the list.

How to make a bootable USB flash drive without third-party programs

When the copying of objects is complete, the drive is ready to install the system.

3. Using UltraISO

Operating system: Windows.

This option is suitable for both new computers with UEFI and old ones with BIOS.

UltraISO is a paid program, but a free test version is enough for our task. Just install the utility and after the first launch select "Trial period".

In the program menu, click "File" → "Open" and select the ISO image. On the top panel, click "Boot" → "Burn hard disk image". In the next window, specify the path to the target flash drive in the Disk Drive field. Then format the drive using a special button (select the FAT32 system), then click "Write".

How to make a bootable USB flash drive using UltraISO

After waiting for the completion of the recording, you can use the bootable USB flash drive for its intended purpose.

Download UltraISO →

4. Using Rufus

Operating system: Windows.

An extremely popular program that does an excellent job of writing bootable USB flash drives with support for both MBR and GPT. According to the assurances of the authors, it is distinguished by an incredible speed of work - at least twice as fast as the Media Creation Tool.

Download and run the portable version of Rufus. Select the required flash drive in the "Devices" field. Then click the Select button and point to the operating system disk image.

How to make a bootable USB flash drive using Rufus

After that press "START" and wait until the program informs about the successful completion of the recording.

Download Rufus →

5. With Etcher

Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Etcher is an open source program to help burn bootable USB sticks. The principle of operation is even simpler than in other applications.

Download and install Etcher for your operating system - Windows, macOS and Linux supported. Then open the program, click Select Image and select the system ISO file.

How to make a bootable USB flash drive using Etcher

Click Flash and wait for the process to finish.

Download Etcher →

6. Using the "Boot Camp Assistant"

Operating system: macOS.

Sometimes you need to prepare installation media for a PC without an operating system, and only a Mac is at hand. If so, you can use Boot Camp Assistant.

Open Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue. Then uncheck Install Windows 10 or newer. Leave the "Create Windows 10 or newer installation disk" checkbox.