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MoraTania's avatar
MoraTania
Iron Contributor
Mar 12, 2025

How to burn Linux ISO to USB on Windows 11/10 PC?

Hi all, My old Windows 10 PC is retiring and I bought a new Windows 11 PC. I heard it could be a good choice to run Linux on a budget and old machine. Before doing that, I need to create a Linux boo...
ThomasQuinn's avatar
ThomasQuinn
Iron Contributor
Mar 12, 2025

It is not possible to create a Linux boot disc directly using Windows Media Creation Tool. It is an official Windows system deployment tool provided by Microsoft and is only used for:

  1. Download the latest Windows ISO (e.g. Windows 11/10).
  2. Make a Windows ISO into a boot USB stick or DVD.
  3. Extend the system installation image (add language packs, drivers, etc.).

 

This free Windows bootable USB creation tool relies on Microsoft's proprietary Windows PE and boot profiles, which are completely incompatible with Linux boot mechanisms. Linux ISOs usually use FAT32 boot partition + Ext4 root partition or UEFI partition table, while Windows tools generate NTFS format + Windows boot partition by default.

In addition, Microsoft tools only allow distribution and modification of Microsoft-licensed content, while Linux distributions usually use the GPL, which is a conflicting licensing model, so the tool itself does not support Linux images.

Windows Media Creation Tool can only be used for Windows deployment, it can not create Linux boot discs. You need to use other tools to burn Linux ISO to USB on Windows 11/10 and clean install Linux from a working bootable USB drive.

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