When installing Windows 10, you’ll need to create a USB bootable media for the setup wizard. Instead of using the traditional BIOS firmware, newer computers often utilize Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). Ensure your bootable media supports the firmware you’re using before proceeding with the installation.
On a positive note, when dealing with a computer that supports UEFI firmware, you have two major options in creating a USB bootable media. Your first option is to use the Media Creation Tool, which is a utility made by Microsoft for copying installation files onto a removable drive with support for UEFI and BIOS firmware. Your second option is to use Rufus, a third-party tool that allows you to create an installation device, specifically for devices that support UEFI firmware. Don’t worry, because we will teach you how to create a Windows 10/11 bootable USB that supports UEFI firmware using both Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool and Rufus.
Creating a Windows 10/11 Boot Drive with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool
Using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool is one of the easiest ways to create a bootable media for Windows. Insert a USB flash drive with at least 4GB free storage space into your computer and follow the steps below:
- Launch your preferred browser and navigate to this page.
- Scroll down to “Create Windows 10/11 installation media” and click the Download tool now button.
- Once the download is completed, double-click on the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file. It will then launch the utility.
- Agree to Microsoft’s terms and conditions by clicking the Accept button.
- Choose the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.
- Click Next.
- Select your preferred language, Windows 10/11 edition, and architecture. Here’s a quick tip: Under Architecture, you may choose the Both option so you can create a bootable media that works for devices that are powered by 32-bit and 64-bit processors.
- Click Next.
- The wizard will then download the Windows 10/11 installation files needed.
- Finally, you now have a bootable media that is compatible with devices that use UEFI and legacy BIOS.
Creating a Windows 10/11 Bootable Media with Rufus
Although the recommended way to create a bootable USB media is through Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, you can alternatively use the Rufus tool. Just take note that in this method, you will have to download the Windows 10/11 ISO file manually. After that, you can connect your USB flash drive with at least 4GB of free space and continue with the steps below:
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- Launch your preferred browser and go to the official web page of Rufus.
- Scroll down to the Download section and download the most recent version of the tool.
- Once the download is complete, double-click on the Rufus-x.x.exe file.
- Go to the Device section and choose the USB drive with at least 4GB of space option.
- Under Boot Selection section, click the Select button.
- Navigate to the folder that contains the Windows 10/11 ISO file you downloaded and select its image.
- Click the Open button.
- Choose the Standard Windows installation option under the Image section.
- Choose the GPT option under the Partition scheme and target system type section.
- Choose the UEFI option under Target System section.
- Create a descriptive name for your drive under the Volume Label section.
- For the Cluster Size and File System sections, just retain the default settings.
- Click the Show advanced format options button. Check if the Create extended label and icon files and Quick Format are ticked. If they are, proceed to the next step.
- Click the Start button.
- The contents of your flash drive will be wiped out in this step. Click the OK button if you agree.
- Wait until the Rufus tool is done creating a Windows 10/11 installation media that supports systems that use UEFI.
In Conclusion
Congratulations, you have successfully created a USB bootable media that you can use for future Windows 10/11 installations. After you have installed Windows 10/11 on your device, we suggest you also install Outbyte PC Repair. This tool can definitely get your computer running fast and smooth at all times.