You can copy Windows 11 to a flash drive to create a bootable installer using specific tools.
Creating a bootable Windows 11 USB drive allows you to install or repair Windows 11 on a computer. There are two common methods you can use, as outlined in the provided references: utilizing Microsoft's official tool or using a third-party utility like Rufus.
How to Create a Bootable Windows 11 USB Drive
Here are the steps for copying Windows 11 to a flash drive using recommended methods:
Method 1: Using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool
This is the official method provided by Microsoft.
- Download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 11 from the Microsoft website.
- Run the downloaded tool.
- When prompted, Select Accept for the terms.
- Proceed to the next step by selecting Next.
- Choose the option for USB flash drive as the media you want to use.
- Follow the remaining on-screen prompts to complete the process, which will download the Windows 11 files and copy them to your selected USB drive.
Method 2: Using Rufus
Rufus is a popular third-party tool for creating bootable USB drives.
- Download the Rufus tool from its official website.
- Insert your USB drive into your computer.
- Open Rufus. It should automatically detect your USB drive (ensure the correct one is selected under "Device").
- Choose USB device from the dropdown list if needed.
- Under "Boot selection," click the DOWNLOAD button.
- Select Windows 11 from the operating system list.
- Click Continue and follow the prompts to select the edition and language, then start the process.
- Follow the prompts to copy over the files onto your USB drive. Rufus will download the Windows 11 ISO and create the bootable drive.
Important Note: Both methods will erase all data currently on the flash drive. Ensure you back up any important files from the drive before starting the process. A flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage is typically required.
Next Steps After Creating the Drive
Once you have successfully created the bootable USB flash drive using one of the methods above, you can use it to install or repair Windows 11.
- Then restart the PC and boot from that drive to install Windows. You may need to change your computer's boot order in the BIOS/UEFI settings to start from the USB drive.
Using these tools makes the process straightforward, ensuring you get a functional bootable drive ready for Windows 11 installation or repair tasks.
