Forum Discussion

Holaway's avatar
Holaway
Steel Contributor
Mar 16, 2026

How do I create installation media for Windows 11?

I just bought a new 32GB USB drive and want to create installation media for Windows 11 for my desktop PC. The computer is currently running Windows 10, but I’m planning to do a clean install of Wind...
Houellebecq's avatar
Houellebecq
Iron Contributor
Mar 16, 2026

DISM + DiskPart. A fully native, command-line approach.

Using DISM and DiskPart is a fully manual and native way to create installation media for windows 11 without relying on any third-party tools. This method gives you complete control over how the USB is prepared and how the Windows image is applied, making it especially useful for advanced users or troubleshooting situations where GUI tools fail. Although it requires some familiarity with command-line operations, it is one of the most reliable and transparent approaches available.

Format USB with correct partition:

diskpart
list disk
select disk X
clean
create partition primary
format fs=ntfs quick
active
assign
exit

 Apply image:

dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:D:\sources\install.wim /Index:1 /ApplyDir:E:\

Create windows 11 installation media:

bcdboot E:\Windows /s E: /f ALL

 

The DISM + DiskPart method is a powerful alternative for creating Windows 11 installation media when you need precision and independence from external software. While it may take more effort compared to automated tools, it offers maximum flexibility and works entirely offline, making it ideal for advanced setups, custom deployments, or recovery scenarios.