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Holaway's avatar
Holaway
Iron Contributor
Jan 06, 2025

What's the best bootable usb creator for Widows 11?

Hello, all! I'm installing Windows 11 recently and looking for a reliable bootable USB creator tool to make the installation disk, but I really don't know which one to choose. Although Microsoft's Media Creation Tool is an official tool, it feels slow and sometimes prone to errors. I heard that Rufus is very useful, but I don't know how compatible it is with Windows 11.

My requirements are actually very simple:

  1. Stable, reliable, and no problems will occur halfway through the creation.
  2. Support GPT/UEFI mode, fully compatible with Windows 11.
  3. It would be even better if it was faster!

I would like to ask if anyone has used a best bootable USB creator for Windows 11? Or do you have any suggestions for avoiding pitfalls? Thank you very much! 🙏

6 Replies

  • For me, ISO Editor is the best bootable usb creator software all the times. I have been using it for creating multiple bootable usb for Windows 11/10 install media.

    Quick guide: https://www.ammdiy.com/best-bootable-usb-creator-for-widows-11

  • OliviaHarper's avatar
    OliviaHarper
    Iron Contributor

    Don't use the Windows Media Creation Tool as it sucks as bootable usb creator on Windows.

    Using DiskPart and manual ISO copying (via command line) is preferred when you need full control, such as reusing an existing ISO, creating a bootable USB from an offline source, or modifying partition schemes for legacy BIOS/UEFI compatibility.

    It’s also useful if the Media Creation Tool fails (e.g., due to network issues or USB detection problems). While more technical, the command-line method is faster for advanced users and works in environments where GUI tools aren’t available (like WinPE or recovery mode).

     

  • Noammsky's avatar
    Noammsky
    Iron Contributor

    You can use the free diskpart command to create Windows bootable USB on a PC. DiskPart is a powerful command-line disk partitioning utility built into Windows (available since Windows 2000). It allows users to manage disks, partitions, and volumes directly from the Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrative privileges.

    First, format and the usb drive:

    diskpart
    list disk
    select disk X
    clean
    create partition primary
    format fs=fat32 quick
    active
    assign
    exit

    Then, apply the Windows image using dism:

    dism /apply-image /imagefile:E:\sources\install.wim /index:1 /applydir:F:\
    bcdboot F:\windows /s F: /f UEFI

    (Replace E: and F: with your ISO and USB drive letters.)

    For me, diskpart is the best bootable usb creator for Windows 11!

  • farleyduhaa7's avatar
    farleyduhaa7
    Iron Contributor

    What's the best bootable usb creator for Widows 11? There is a free bootable usb creator tool can meet your requirements for stability, reliability, compatibility, and speed. Here’s a summary of the best options to consider:

    Rufus
    Overview: Rufus is one of the most widely used tools for creating bootable USB drives. It is known for its speed and reliability.
    Compatibility: Fully supports GPT/UEFI mode and is entirely compatible with Windows 11.
    Speed: Generally much faster than the Media Creation Tool.

    How to Use:

    1. Download and run the Rufus application from its official site.
    2. Insert your USB drive.
    3. Select the Windows 11 ISO file.
    4. Choose the partition scheme (GPT for UEFI).
    5. Click "Start" to create the bootable drive.

    Advantages: User-friendly interface, advanced configuration options, and powerful performance.

  • DebramSanche's avatar
    DebramSanche
    Iron Contributor

    Don’t overlook Microsoft’s own tools! They have the bootable USB creator tool which is super user-friendly for creating a bootable USB drive for Windows 11 installation. I’ve used it, and honestly, it’s pretty straightforward. Just download it from the official site and follow the prompts. It’ll save you a lot of hassle.

    Make sure you're using a USB drive with enough space. For Windows 11, you’ll typically need at least 8 GB (but 16 GB is a safer bet). I've had moments where I grabbed a smaller USB drive thinking it’d work, and then I was stuck with error messages or failed installations. Just... don't do that!

    To get a best bootable USB creator tool. Formatting your USB drive can be tricky. If you use a different file system than NTFS or FAT32, your bootable USB might not work. I once formatted a USB to exFAT because it’s the default on my PC, and guess what? The boot process failed hilariously. Stick to NTFS for larger files (like Windows ISOs) and FAT32 if you’re looking for wider compatibility with older systems.

    Another classic mistake is not checking BIOS or UEFI settings for boot priority. I've been there – you’ve created the perfect bootable USB creator tool, but the PC just skips over it when booting. Go into BIOS/UEFI and make sure your USB drive is first in the boot order. It’s a bit of a nuisance, but once it's done, you’re golden!

    Always make sure the ISO file is from a trustworthy source, like Microsoft’s official site. And if you’re gonna get adventurous and try third-party bootable USB creator tool like Rufus or UNatbootin, double-check the integrity of the ISO. Corrupted files can lead to all sorts of issues down the line. I once wasted hours trying to figure out why a USB wouldn’t boot, only to realize the ISO was corrupted. Let’s not repeat that!

    • Melowout's avatar
      Melowout
      Copper Contributor

      I just want to add.... I've tried downloading it 6 times; turned off antivirus program, rebooted, and it keeps coming up with an error code, 0x80072EE7-0x20000 - so, NO, it doesn't work nice and slick the way you'd think it should.  I've been at this for hours and right now, pretty fed up with Microsoft :(

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