Need some help to create EndeavourOS bootable usb on Windows 11

I am sure you can get the USB installer created without MIT degree:

https://discovery.endeavouros.com/installation/create-install-media-usb-key/2021/03/

A bit down the page you will find instructions to create usb media on Windows.

To make sure it's the valid ISO:

https://discovery.endeavouros.com/installation/how-to-check-and-trust-key-and-signature-for-the-endeavouros-iso/2025/01/

About creating EndeavourOS bootable USB on Windows PC, first thing you need to know: don’t use the wrong USB drive! I once thought I could just grab any random USB stick around my house. You know, the one that's usually serving as a 'drop zone' for my failed attempts at organizing? Big mistake.  Now, when you format that USB, do NOT choose “Quick Format” like you're just tidying up your desktop files. Nope! You need to select “Full Format.” It's not just a cosmetic upgrade; it’s like giving the USB stick a full spa day. It'll do wonders when you load the EndeavourOS onto it. 

Now, speaking of software, a lot of people will suggest tools like Rufus or Balenaa Ettcher to making EndeavourOS bootable USB on Windows. They’re like that cool kid in school who is just good at everything—except they’re not going to help you if you skip steps! Choose the right partition scheme based on your system. GPT for UEFI systems and MBR for BIOS. It’s all very important unless you enjoy staring at a screen saying, “No Boot Device Found,” trying to figure out if that’s a sign from a higher power.

And let’s talk about the ISO file you’re downloading. Listen, make sure it’s not a sneaky fake one! I made that mistake once, thinking I downloaded the latest version of EndeavourOS only for my computer to greet me with a blue screen. And not the colorful one that says, “Hello!” It was the one screaming “You’re doomed!” Who knew an ISO file could be so dramatic? 

Good luck creating EndeavourOS bootable USB on Windows PC.

The free xcopy utility. 

XCOPY is a command-line utility in Windows that is used to copy files and directories, including subdirectories, from one location to another. Unlike the basic COPY command, XCOPY provides more advanced options such as copying entire directory trees, preserving file attributes, and much more.

In the context of creating a bootable EndeavourOS USB on Windows 11, XCOPY can be used to copy all the files from the EndeavourOS ISO to the USB drive after it has been properly formatted and partitioned. Here's how you can use it:

First, type the following commands one by one to format the USB drive.

diskpart
list disk
select disk X
clean
create partition primary.
select partition 1
format fs=fat32 quick
assign letter=Z
exit

Next, mount the EndeavourOS ISO in Windows 11 by simply right clicking the ISO file and select "Mount." Once mounted, the contents of the ISO will appear as a new drive. Note the drive letter of the mounted ISO (e.g., F:).

Now, use the XCOPY command to copy all files and subdirectories from the mounted ISO to the USB drive. Replace D: with the drive letter of your ISO and Z: with the letter of your USB drive:

xcopy D:\*.* Z:\ /E /H /K /R /Y

After copying the files, you need to make the USB bootable. You can use bootsect to apply the bootloader:

bootsect /nt60 Z: /mbr

This command applies the bootloader to the USB drive and there is the whole process to create EndeavourOS install USB on Windows pc.

Once the process is complete, you can safely eject the USB drive. Insert the USB into the PC where you want to install EndeavourOS, boot from the USB, and proceed with the installation.

Creating a bootable EndeavourOS USB on a Windows PC is definitely doable, but there are some downsides to the methods you've mentioned.

1. Disadvantages of using Windows Media Creation Tool:

• Manual Steps: After using the Media Creation Tool, you have to manually replace the contents of the USB with the EndeavourOS ISO. If you're not careful, you might forget to do this step or accidentally mess up the USB contents, which could leave you with a non-bootable USB.
• Overhead: The Media Creation Tool is designed for Windows, not for creating Linux bootable drives. Using it just to create a blank USB that you then overwrite can feel like overkill, and it might not be the most efficient way to go about it.

2. Disadvantages of using dd for Windows:

• Command Line Confusion: Not everyone is a fan of command lines. If you're not comfortable with command line tools, using dd can be intimidating. One wrong command and you could end up wiping your main drive instead of the USB—yikes!
• Lack of Feedback: dd can feel like a black box. It won’t give you much in the way of progress info, which can be frustrating if you’re used to more user-friendly tools. You sort of just have to wait and hope it worked.

My Recommendation
Keep It Simple: If you’re looking for something straightforward to create EndeavourOS bootable USB on Windows PC, I’d suggest using a dedicated tool like Rufus or balenaaEtcher instead of those methods. These are user-friendly and specifically designed for creating EndeavourOS bootable USB on Windows PC.

• Rufus: It’s simple—select your USB, choose the EndeavourOS ISO, and let it handle the rest. It does all the necessary formatting and bootable setting for you.
• balennaEtcher: This one is often praised for its ease of use. Just drag and drop the ISO file and select the target USB; it’s as easy as that!

How to create EndeavourOS bootable USB on Windows PC?

Step 1: Grab the Image
First things first, you need the EndeavourOS ISO file. It’s like the starter pack for your Linux journey.

Step 2: Get a Tool
We have this awesome thing called ‘Windows PowerShell’. If you’ve ever used Command Prompt, and didn’t want to fling your keyboard out the window, you can handle this. Open that bad boy up (just search for PowerShell on your Start menu) and let’s get our USB prepared. Here’s where it gets real:

• Insert your USB drive - make sure it's empty, because when my mom comes to visit, we'll wipe it cleaner than my apartment!
• Type Get-Disk - this command lists all your drives, including your trusty USB. You better memorize it like your phone number - use it wisely; don't screw up and format the wrong drive!
• You'll see something like Disk 1, Disk 2, etc. Identify your USB. Let's say it's Disk 1.
• Now, you'll type Clear-Disk -Number 1 -RemoveData to wipe it. It's like giving it a fresh start, but without the existential crisis.
• Next, we need to create a new partition and format it. Type: New-Partition -DiskNumber 1 -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter | Format-Volume -FileSystem FAT32
   
• Boom! Your USB drive is now formatted.

Step 3: Mount the ISO
Now we wanna make the ISO accessible. You can do this by double-clicking the ISO file. Windows natively supports mounting these images, so congratulations, you’ve just opened a door to an alternate universe – well, sort of!

Step 4: Copy the Files
To create EndeavourOS bootable USB on Windows PC. We now need to copy all the files from the mounted ISO to your USB drive. It’s like moving into a new apartment, but instead of boxes, you’re just dragging files like a tech-savvy pack rat.  So, open the mounted ISO in File Explorer, highlight everything (CTRL + A), then right-click and select Copy. Then, go over to your USB drive and Paste. It might take a moment, so while it’s copying, you can take a break. Maybe consider a snack? Coping with tech is hungry work!

Here are 2 free ways to create a bootable EndeavourOS USB on Windows 11 PC.

Method 1. Using Windows Media Creation Tool (Custom ISO)

1. Download and install the Windows Media Creation Tool.
2. Use the tool to create a Windows bootable USB.
3. After the process is complete, manually replace the contents of the USB drive with the EndeavourOS ISO.
4. Copy over all the files from the EndeavourOS ISO to the USB stick.
5. Make the USB bootable by using a bootloader such as GRUB if needed.

This is a very simple and quick way to make EndeavourOS install USB on Windows , especially for those already familiar with the Media Creation Tool.

Method 2: Using dd for Windows

dd is a free command line tool for writing disk image to storage devices. And it is a cross platform tools that works seamlessly on Windows, macOS and Linux.

1. Download dd for Windows.
2. Open dd for Windows and use it to copy the EndeavourOS ISO to the USB drive.
3. Select the source file (EndeavourOS ISO) and target device (USB drive).
4. Start the process by clicking Start.

For me, it is straightforward, popular method for create a bootable EndeavourOS USB on Windows.