This guide will explain how to create a bootable USB drive to install the main operating systems on a PC without a CD/DVD drive or to reinstall macOS on multiple Macs quickly. This method is useful for those who need a practical and fast alternative to using optical discs.

The creation of a bootable USB drive is particularly advantageous for:

  • Technical users: who need to reinstall or update operating systems on multiple devices.
  • System administrators: who need to manage the installation of operating systems on multiple machines.

With this guide, you will be able to create a bootable USB drive using free software that is easily available, making the process simple and accessible even to those without advanced experience.

Prerequisites

  • USB drive of at least 8 GB, preferably empty or with data saved elsewhere
  • ISO image file of the operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) to be transferred to the drive
  • Internet connection stable and not subject to data traffic limits
  • Specific software for creating the bootable USB drive (e.g., Media Creation Tool for Windows, Rufus, dedicated tools for macOS and Linux)

Preliminary operations

How to create a bootable USB drive from Windows

How to create a bootable USB drive: Windows 11 and Windows 10

If you want to create a bootable drive for Windows 11 or Windows 10, use Microsoft's official tool, Media Creation Tool.

  • For Windows 11, visit this page and click on "Download now" in the section "Create installation media for Windows 11".

Run the downloaded file, click on "Yes" and "Accept", select "Create installation media for another PC" and click on "Next".

Deselect "Use recommended options for this PC", choose the language, edition, and architecture of the operating system, and click on "Next".

Select "USB flash drive", choose the drive letter, and click on "Next" to start writing the files.

Once the procedure is complete, the drive will be ready for use. For more details, refer to the tutorials on how to install Windows 11 from USB and how to install Windows 10 from USB.

Note: Windows 10 is no longer supported by Microsoft, so the Media Creation Tool may be removed at any time.

How to create a bootable USB drive with Rufus

If you already have an ISO image, use Rufus to create a bootable drive.

  • Download Rufus from the official website, choosing the appropriate version for your system.
  • Run the downloaded file and click on "Yes".
  • Select the USB drive from the "Device/Drive" dropdown menu.
  • Choose "Disk image or ISO file" from the "Boot system type" dropdown menu and click on "Select" to load the ISO image.

VERIFICATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING: How to test if it works and what to do if it fails

After creating the bootable USB drive, it is essential to verify that the process was successful and that the device is actually usable for installing the operating system. Below are the steps to test the drive and resolve any issues.

Verification of the bootable USB drive

  • Visual check: Make sure the USB drive has been formatted correctly and that the operating system files have been copied without errors. Verify that the drive capacity matches the expected one.
  • Test on another computer: Insert the USB drive into another computer and verify that it is recognized as a bootable device. You can do this by accessing the computer's BIOS/UEFI and checking if the drive appears in the boot device list.
  • Operating system boot: Try to boot the computer using the USB drive. If the operating system starts loading, it means the drive was created correctly. If the computer does not boot or shows errors, proceed with troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting

  • Boot error: If the computer does not boot with the USB drive, make sure the BIOS/UEFI is configured to boot from USB devices. You may need to change the boot order.
  • Corrupted files: If the downloaded ISO image is corrupted or incomplete, the process of creating the drive may fail. Verify the integrity of the ISO file and, if necessary, download it again.
  • Compatibility issues: Some computers may have problems with certain versions of BIOS/UEFI or specific hardware configurations. Make sure your computer is compatible with the operating system you are trying to install.
  • Formatting errors: If the USB drive is not recognized or formatted correctly, try using another creation software or another computer to perform the process.
  • License issues: If the operating system requires a license, make sure you have entered the correct product code during installation. Without a valid license, the operating system may not work properly.

If all the steps described above do not resolve the issue, consult the official documentation of the operating system or seek support on specialized forums. Make sure to provide precise details about the error encountered to get targeted help.

You have learned how to create a bootable USB drive to install Windows, Linux, or macOS on any computer. Now you are ready to put these skills into practice.

  • Make sure you have an empty USB drive with at least 8 GB of space.
  • Download the ISO image of the desired operating system.
  • Choose the program most suitable for your needs (Media Creation Tool for Windows, Rufus for ISO images, etc.).

Now that you have all the necessary information, you just need to get started. Good luck!

Editorial Note and Disclaimer

The guides and content published on GoYou are the result of independent research and analysis activities, for informational, educational, and in-depth purposes.

GoYou does not constitute a journalistic publication or an editorial product pursuant to Law No. 62/2001 and does not provide real-time information.

The GoYou project does not provide professional, technical, legal, or financial advice and disclaims all responsibility for the improper use of the information published.

In the Crypto sector, every investment involves risks: the reader is invited to always inform themselves autonomously before making any decision.