Windows won't let me pick bootable usb for Windows 11/10

First off make sure that you are using the right mode. Does your HW support UEFI boot and secure boot? Need more data. 

Msinfo32 Screenshots from a running Windows. 

If not there, Mainboard Model, bios Version, CPU model. 

The Windows creation Tool works perfect. Dunno why others disagree. 

Other than that rufus in an easy replacement. 

Get this prompt "Windows won't let me select bootable USB". It's possible that there are a few reasons why your laptop isn't detecting the bootable USB drive or allowing you to boot from it. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

• Check the UEFI/BIOS settings: Enter your laptop's UEFI/BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, F12, or Esc while booting). Look for the boot order settings and ensure that USB is set as the first boot device. Save the changes and exit.
• Check for a Secure Boot setting: If your laptop has Secure Boot enabled, you might need to disable it to boot from a non-Microsoft bootable USB drive. Look for the Secure Boot setting in the UEFI/BIOS settings and disable it if necessary.

While the Official Windows 10 Media Creation Tool should work, you can try using another tool like Balena-Etchar to create the bootable USB drive. These tools can create bootable USB drives with various settings, so try using them with different options. Fast Boot can prevent your laptop from detecting the bootable USB drive. To disable it, go to Power Options in the Control Panel, click on Choose what the power buttons do, and then click on Change settings that are currently unavailable. Uncheck the box next to "Turn on fast startup (recommended)" and click Save changes.

From my own experience, Windows 11 or Windows 10 Media Creation Tool has issues when making bootable USB. If it does not work, I suggest giving a try on another bootable USB software like UMNetBootin.

UMNetBootin (Universal Netboot Installer) is an open-source tool designed to create bootable USB drives for various operating systems, primarily Linux distributions. It allows users to load a system image (ISO) to a USB drive and make it bootable, facilitating the installation or live usage of different operating systems without altering the existing system.

Here are the steps for recreating bootable USB for Windows 11/10/8/7:

Step 1: Plug in a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB of storage for Windows 10 and Windows 11 ISO.

Step 2: Import the Windows 11/10 ISO into the app and choose the USB drive from the device menu.

Step 3: Click "OK" to begin creating the bootable USB. The process may take several minutes as files are copied and the bootloader is installed.

Step 4: Once the progress bar reaches 100%, the USB drive is ready. Safely remove the USB drive from your computer.

Step 5: Plug the Windows 11/10 bootable USB into the target computer and boot from it.

This is one of the simplest ways to fix if Windows won't let you pick up the bootable USB during Windows 11 or Windows 10 OS clean install. 

I encountered a similar problem before. I plugged in the boot disk, but Windows won't let me pick bootable USB for Windows 11. After a lot of trouble, I found that the problem was with the USB and ISO file. My experience can give you some reference!

USB problem
I used an old 8GB USB flash drive that time. Although the capacity was enough, the writing speed was slow and there were errors from time to time. Later, I changed to a newer USB and it was recognized directly. Therefore, you must use a reliable USB flash drive, such as Sandisk or Kingston, which has better stability. Remember to clean and format it with diskpart first:

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

Although I downloaded it from Microsoft's official website, I later used a tool to verify it and found that the ISO file was actually damaged. Later, I downloaded it again and the problem was solved. So after downloading the ISO, it is best to use a verification tool to check MD5 or SHA256 to confirm that the file is complete.

My suggestion: 
If you change the USB or re-download the ISO and it still doesn't work, try using Rufus or Venttoy to create a bootable disk. These two tools are more compatible with hardware. I used Rufus to get it done, and it was successful instantly! I hope these experiences can help you~ 😊

This situation seems to be quite frustrating! Although you used the official Media Creation Tool, there may be many reasons for the problem of Windows won't let me pick bootable USB for Windows 11. I have encountered similar situations before, and here are some of my experiences and solutions for your reference!

Many times, it is the BIOS settings that cause the USB to not boot. Try these:

• Secure Boot: Turn it off. Some old machines do not support boot disks with Secure Boot.
• Legacy Support: Make sure Legacy mode is enabled (if your machine is older).
• Boot Order: Enter BIOS and set USB as the first boot item.

Let's face it, If you're using a faulty USB or corrupt ISO, you risk running into errors while installing, which can lead to a problematic installation, and who wants that? Sometimes, it's not just about the USB. Your motherboard might have settings that are preventing booting from USB, which can lead to a deeper dive into BIOS settings that not everyone is comfortable with.

Solving the Problem if Windows won't let pick bootable USB:

• Use a Reliable USB: You're right about using a decent USB stick. Go for something like a SanDisk or Kingston (I’m a fan of those too) that’s preferably USB 3.0 for faster data transfer.
• Re-download the ISO: Corrupt files are a pain. Always check the integrity of the ISO file after downloading using tools like HashTab or 7-Zip to verify that the MD5 or SHA256 checksums match. It saves you from headaches down the road.

I made a couple of Windows 11 and Windows 10 bootable USB in the past and some of them were not recognized as bootable device. Here are a couple of solutions to fix it if Windows 11/10 won't let you pick up bootable USB:

1. Verify the Bootable USB Drive:  Verify if the USB boots on a different machine to rule out hardware issues. Sometimes, certain USB ports (like USB 3.0) might have compatibility issues. Try using a USB 2.0 port if available. Or use a different USB drive. Sometimes, the USB itself might be faulty.

2. Use Another Bootable USB Creation Software: This is the biggest reason why Windows 11/10 won't let you pick you up the bootable USB because the software is out of date or faulty.

3. Set the Computer Booting from USB: As it boots up, press the key specific to your motherboard manufacturer (commonly F2, F12, DEL, or ESC). Look for the "Boot" tab or section. Move the USB drive to the top of the boot priority list.

4. Disable Secure Boot: Locate Secure Boot: Usually under the "Security" or "Boot" tab. This can prevent the system from blocking the USB boot, especially if the USB isn't signed.

4. Enable Legacy Boot: Some systems require enabling Legacy or CSM (Compatibility Support Module) to boot from certain USBs. Switching between UEFI and Legacy can affect your existing Windows installation. Proceed only if you're familiar with these settings.

5. Disable Fast Startup in Windows 11/10: Fast Startup can sometimes prevent the system from recognizing bootable USB drives. To disable it, search for "Control Panel" in the Start menu. Click on "Hardware and Sound" > "Power Options." On the left sidebar, select "Choose what the power buttons do." Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable." Uncheck the "Turn on fast startup (recommended)" option. Click "Save changes."

6. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware:  An outdated BIOS/UEFI can sometimes cause compatibility issues with bootable USBs. This can usually be found in the BIOS or by using system information tools. Go to the official website of your motherboard or computer manufacturer. Follow the provided instructions carefully to update the BIOS/UEFI.

By following these steps, you should be able to configure Windows 11/10 to recognize and boot from a USB drive. Ensure you back up important data before making significant changes to system settings or firmware.