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Dukeka's avatar
Dukeka
Brass Contributor
Jun 08, 2026

How to download Windows 11 installer to a USB

Hello everyone, A Windows 11 installation USB is needed for a clean install or repair install, but the process is a little confusing for a beginner. There seem to be different options and it is not ...
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Jessehuy's avatar
Jessehuy
Copper Contributor
Jun 08, 2026

Let me walk you through exactly how to download the Windows 11 installer to a USB using the DiskPart command-line tool and a manual file copy. 

The idea is pretty straightforward: you use a Windows command called DiskPart to completely clean and prepare your USB drive, then you manually copy all the Windows installation files from an ISO file onto that USB drive. Once the files are copied over, the USB becomes bootable and ready to install Windows 11.

How to download the Windows 11 installer to a USB:

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO

Step 2: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Step 3: Use DiskPart to Prepare the USB Drive

Run these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each line:

cmd

diskpart

list disk

Step 4: Mount the Windows 11 ISO

You need to access the files inside the ISO. Windows can mount ISO files natively:

  • Navigate to the ISO file you downloaded
  • Right-click the file and select Mount
  • Windows will create a virtual DVD drive (like "D:" or "E:") containing all the Windows installation files

Step 5: Copy Files to the USB

  • Open the mounted ISO drive in File Explorer. Select all files and folders inside it, then copy and paste them to your USB drive.

Step 6: Make the USB Bootable

  • If you used FAT32, the drive should already be bootable. If you used NTFS, the bootsect command above makes it bootable. Either way, your USB is now ready to install Windows 11.