2 Ways to Create a Windows 11 Bootable USB Drive

This article explains how to create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive and use it to install Windows 11.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool

The Windows 11 Media Creation Toolavailable on Microsoft's websitehelps you create a bootable USB. It's user-friendly and guides you through each step.

1. Visit Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page and select Download Now under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section.

2. Click Accept on the notices and terms screen.

3. Select Next to confirm the default language. To changeuncheck Use the recommended options for this PC.

4. Choose USB flash drive and then click Next.

5. Select your device for the Windows 11 bootable USB and then click Next.

   If your USB drive doesn't appear and Refresh drive list isn't usefulyou may need to format the drive first.

6. Wait for setup to finish. You'll see a Downloading Windows 11 screenfollowed by Creating Windows 11 media.

7. Click Finish when the screen reads Your USB flash drive is ready.

Using Rufus to Create a Bootable Windows 11 USB Drive

Another way to create a bootable Windows 11 flash drive is by downloading the Windows 11 ISO file and burning the image to the USB drive.

Although there are many methodsRufus is recommended for its ability to download the file and make the device bootableproviding a streamlined process compared to similar tools.

1. Download and open Rufus.

2. Choose your USB drive from the Device menu.

3. Ensure Boot selection  is set to Disk or ISO image.

4. Select the arrow next to SELECTand change it to DOWNLOAD.

   If you already have a Windows 11 ISO ready to install to your USB drivechoose SELECT insteadthen locate the file on your computer and skip to step 10.

5. Select DOWNLOADchoose Windows 11 from the pop-up menuand then press Continue.

6. Choose the details for the Windows 11 ISOpressing Continue after each one:

   • Release: Select the most recent build that's available (it should be preselected). Reference our List of Windows Version Numbers to confirm the latest version.
   • Edition: Confirm that Windows 11 is selected.
   • Language: Choose your language from the menu.
   • Architecture: The only option available is x64.

7. Select Download.

8. Choose a folder on your computer to save the ISO fileand then select Save to start downloading Windows 11.

9. Wait while Rufus saves the Windows 11 ISO image to your computer.

10. Select START.

11. Choose any customizations you wantif anyand then press OK.

12. Read the warning that everything on this drive will be erasedand then select OK if you agree.

13. Wait while Rufus copies the ISO files to the USB drive.

    This is the final step. You can select CLOSE when Status says READY.

How to Install Windows 11 From USB

Now that you have a Windows 11 USB readychange the boot order of your computer to check the flash drive for installation. Detailed steps are covered in our How to Boot From a USB Device guide.

Another way to install Windows 11 using the flash drive is through Windows itselfwithout needing to change the boot order. To do thisopen setup.exe from the drive.

Howeverthis won't work if the reason for installation is a non-functional computer or a new build without Windows. This method suits those upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

For installing Windows 11 in a virtual machineuse the ISO image directly. Obtain it using either method: Microsoft's website (step 1) or Rufus (step 9).