How to Make USB Bootable by Rufus

Here we have listed software by which we can boot USB. We have also descripted the detailed process of “How to Make USB Bootable” by using Rufus.

What is Bootable USB?

A bootable USB is a USB drive or Pen Drive that contains a bootable operating system or utility, allowing the computer to boot directly from the USB drive instead of the internal hard drive. This can be used to install an operating system, run diagnostic tools, or perform other tasks.

Best Software to Boot USB / Pen Drive

Here are some popular software options to create bootable USBs:

1. Rufus – a free and open-source tool, it supports various file systems and provides quick creation of bootable USBs.
2. Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool – it allows you to create a bootable USB of Windows operating system.
3. UNetbootin – a cross-platform tool that can be used to create bootable USBs for various Linux distributions.
4. Win32DiskImager – a simple, lightweight tool for Windows that is used to write disk images to USB drives.
5. Disk Utility (Mac) – the built-in disk management tool on macOS can be used to create bootable USBs for macOS.

Note: The best software for you depends on the operating system and the task you are trying to perform.

How to Make USB Bootable?

To make a USB drive bootable, you need to follow these steps:

1. Download and install the software for creating a bootable USB (e.g. Rufus, Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, UNetbootin, Win32DiskImager, Disk Utility).
2. Insert a USB drive into your computer and backup any data stored on it, as the process will erase all data on the drive.
3. Open the bootable USB creation software and select the appropriate options, such as the ISO file for the operating system or utility you want to install, and the file system (e.g. NTFS, Fat32, etc.).
4. Start the process of creating a bootable USB, which typically involves formatting the drive and copying the files needed for booting.
5. Once the process is complete, you can remove the USB drive and use it to boot another computer.

Note: The specific steps and options may vary depending on the software you are using to create the bootable USB. Be sure to follow the instructions provided by the software carefully.

Boot USB by Rufus

Here we will discuss detailed Steps involved in “How to Make USB Bootable” by using Rufus Software.

Step# 01.

Visit official website of Rufus by this link.

Step# 02.

Upon opening the website. Please scroll download to the section called “Download” and then download the latest version available.

Step# 03.

Insert a USB drive into your computer and backup any data stored on it, as the process will erase all data on the drive.

Step# 04.

Double click on the downloaded file of Rufus to open.

• Select your USB, which you want to boot, in “Device” section.
• In “Boot Selection”. Please select your windows iso file like window 10, window 8 etc. ( In my case its window 10 )
• In “Image Option”. Please select “Standard Windows Installation” option from available options in dropdown.

Step# 05.

In “Target System”. Please select “UEFI (non CSM).

In the “Partition Scheme”. Please select your appropriate partition scheme i.e. GTP or MBR.

• To check your laptop or computer partition scheme. Please follow these steps.
• Open “Disk Management” or “Computer Management” according to your device.
• Right click and then go to “Properties” > “Volumes”. Here you will find your device partition scheme in front of “Partition Style”.

Step# 06.

Now you are all set. Click “Start” to boot your USB or Pen Drive.

• Rufus stars to create the bootable USB drive. Depending on your USB drive and system. It will take few seconds or minutes to complete the creation process.
• Once done. You will not see a completion message but will hear a completion sound. Also, the progress bar will turn fully green.

How to Verify if a Bootable USB Has Been Created Successfully?

Here are a few methods to verify if a bootable USB has been created successfully:

1. Boot the computer from the USB drive: If the computer successfully boots from the USB drive, it means the bootable USB has been created.
2. Check for boot files: Open the USB drive in File Explorer and look for the following files: “BOOTMGR,” “BOOTMGR.EFI,” “NTLDR,” or “grub” (for Linux distributions). If these files are present, the USB drive is likely bootable.
3. Use disk management tool: On Windows, open the Disk Management tool and check if the USB drive is marked as “Active.” This indicates that the boot loader is installed on the USB drive and it is bootable. On macOS, open the Disk Utility and check if the USB drive is formatted with the “GUID Partition Map” scheme.

Note: These methods are general guidelines, and specific results may vary depending on the software, operating system, and computer being used.

How to Boot From USB or Pen Drive?

To boot from a USB drive, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Insert the USB drive into your computer.
2. Restart or turn on the computer.
3. Press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually Del, F2, Esc, or F10).
4. Navigate to the boot options menu, and change the boot order to make the USB drive the first priority.
5. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup.
6. The computer should now boot from the USB drive.

Note: The key to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup and the process to change the boot order may vary depending on the computer manufacturer and model. Check your computer manual or online for specific instructions.