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Darn's avatar
Darn
Iron Contributor
Jun 17, 2025

Best way to make windows 11 bootable usb from iso?

Built my first PC and I need to install the OS myself. I never done this done before.

 

Could you pls share me the best way to make Windows 11 bootable from ISO?

6 Replies

  • Stephennen's avatar
    Stephennen
    Iron Contributor

    Here is the best way to make windows 11 bootable usb from iso and it still works in 2025:

    https://www.softipsweb.com/create-windows-11-installtion-media

     

  • Making a Windows 11 bootable USB from ISO on Windows using the Media Creation Tool is pretty straightforward and super reliable. But worth repeating — your USB will be completely erased. If you have anything important on there, back it up first, or you’ll lose it. The process can take a while, especially if your internet connection is slow or if your PC is a bit sluggish. The tool downloads the ISO and then writes it to the USB, which can be a bit time-consuming.

    The Media Creation Tool does its job well, but it doesn’t give you many options to tweak things — like adding extra drivers or specific settings. If you’re into customizing your install media, this might feel limiting. Sometimes, you might run into compatibility issues or errors, especially if your PC has some unusual hardware or isn’t fully supported. Occasionally, the tool might not detect your USB properly or fail halfway.

    You need to run the tool on a Windows machine, so if you’re on a different OS or don’t have access to a Windows PC, you’re out of luck. If you pick the wrong USB drive or select the wrong options, you could accidentally wipe the wrong drive or make a Windows 11 bootable USB from ISO with the wrong version. All in all, it’s a solid method if you’re on Windows and want a hassle-free experience, but keep these points in mind so you’re not caught off guard!

  • Amiriooim's avatar
    Amiriooim
    Iron Contributor

    Making a Windows 11 bootable USB on Windows itself isn’t too complicated, but there are a few downsides I’ve come across from personal experience and what others have told me:

    1. If you mess up the diskpart commands or select the wrong disk, you could wipe out important data or even the wrong drive. Gotta be super careful with those commands!
    2. It’s a bit of a process — mounting the ISO, copying files, formatting, etc. If you're in a rush, it can feel like taking the scenic route.
    3. When making Windows 11 bootable USB. If the ISO file isn’t perfect or gets corrupted during download, your USB might be bootable but won’t work properly. Always double-check the hash!
    4. If your current Windows is acting up or corrupted, creating a bootable USB might be tricky or impossible until you fix that first.
    5. Sometimes, Windows might try to lock certain files or interfere with the process, especially if you're running background updates or antivirus.
    6. USB write speeds and your system performance can slow down the process, making it frustrating at times.

     

    Overall, it’s pretty straightforward but just be extra cautious with disk commands and verify everything beforehand.

  • MaddoxHayes's avatar
    MaddoxHayes
    Iron Contributor

    Using Windows Command Prompt to make windows 11 bootable USB:
    1. Prepare your USB drive:
    Insert a USB drive (at least 8 GB).
    Backup any data on it, as this process will erase it.

    2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
    * Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

    3. Identify your USB drive:
    * Type: diskpart
    * Then list disks: list disk
    * Find your USB drive by size.

    4. Select your USB disk:
    * Select disk X (replace X with your USB disk number)
    * Confirm: detail disk

    5. Clean the USB drive:  clean
    6. Create a new partition:
    * create partition primary
    format fs=ntfs quick (or fat32 if needed)
    assign

    7. Exit diskpart: exit
    8. Mount your ISO:
    * Right-click the ISO file and select Mount to assign a drive letter.

    9. Copy files from ISO to USB:
    * Use xcopy: xcopy D:\*.* G:\ /E /F /H
    (Replace D: with your ISO mount drive letter and G: with your USB drive letter) 

    Before making Windows 11 bootable USB. Always verify your ISO file’s integrity (check SHA-256 hash) to ensure it's not corrupted.

     

  • DeclanGray's avatar
    DeclanGray
    Iron Contributor

    Hey! Making Windows 11 bootable USB from an ISO is pretty standard stuff, and generally safe if you follow the steps correctly. From my own experience, as long as you’re using trusted tools like the Windows Media Creation Tool, you’re good to go. Just make sure you back up any important data from the USB, cuz the process will wipe it clean.

    The only real “danger” is if you download the ISO from shady sources or if you accidentally select the wrong drive — you might overwrite some other important data. Also, double-check that your PC meets the Windows 11 requirements, so you don’t get stuck during installation.

    Overall, it’s pretty straightforward and low-risk when you make Windows 11 bootable USB from an ISO, but just be careful with your source files and drive selection. If you follow the guides and use legit tools, you should be fine!

  • Luccask's avatar
    Luccask
    Iron Contributor

    To make Windows 11 bootable USB from an ISO file, the easiest and most reliable free method is to use Microsoft's official tool called Media Creation Tool. Here's a step-by-step guide:

    What you'll need:
    - A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage (all data on it will be erased)
    - Windows 11 ISO file (you can download it directly from Microsoft's website if you prefer)

    Steps to make Windows 11 bootable USB:

    1. Under "Create Windows 11 Installation Media," click Download now.
    2. Open the downloaded file (MediaCreationTool.exe). And accept the license terms.
    3. Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next. Choose your language, edition, and architecture (64-bit), then click Next.
    4. Select USB flash drive and click Next. Insert your USB drive, select it from the list, then click Next. The tool will download Windows 11 and make Windows 11 bootable USB automatically.
    5. Once the process completes, eject your USB drive. It is now ready to install Windows 11.

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