How to Create Windows 11 Bootable USB | 2 Ways Included
What’s new in Windows 11?
Windows 11 has been the biggest update to Windows since 2015, with around 9% of PCs transitioning to the new operating system by the end of November 2021.
Windows 11 introduces several notable new features, including improved performance and security, a refreshed design with a new Start menu, and enhanced multitasking capabilities. The operating system also includes a range of other updates, such as improved gaming features, a more personalized experience through AI-powered recommendations, and enhanced accessibility features.
- User experience
Microsoft has been planning changes to the Windows 10 user experience, with Windows 11 featuring updated interfaces for the Start menu, Action Center, and File Explorer, showcasing modern designs, better animations, and new features via the "Sun Valley" project.
- Microsoft Store
Windows 11 will allow developers to submit unpackaged Win32 apps to the Store, host apps and updates on their own CDN, and use third-party commerce platforms in apps, providing a more stable download and install experience for large apps and games.
- Microsoft Teams integration
Teams is getting a face-Microsoft Teams will be rewritten in one paragraph shortly. Microsoft Teams will be rewritten in one paragraph shortly. Microsoft Teams will be rewritten in one paragraph shortly.
To get more information about Windows 11, you can visit the official Microsoft website.
Why create a bootable USB of Windows 11?
If you've upgraded your Windows 10/8/7 to Windows 11, you may want to create a Windows 11 bootable USB for various reasons, such as reinstalling Windows 11, troubleshooting issues, or creating a backup of your system. This will allow you to boot from the USB drive and access your system files, making it easier to manage and maintain your Windows 11 installation.
- Boot a crashed computer into Windows 11 recovery environment.
- Reinstall Windows 11 after a fatal system failure.
- To perform a clean install of Windows 11 on new hardware or a new PC, start by creating a bootable USB drive with the Windows 11 installation media. This can be done by downloading the Windows 11 installation media from Microsoft's official website and using a tool like Rufus to create the bootable USB drive.
Tools you need to create Windows 11 bootable USB
To make a bootable USB of Windows 11, you can use either Rufus or PowerISO. Both tools are capable of creating a bootable USB drive for Windows 11, but they have some differences.
1. Free USB bootable software for Windows 11/10/8/7
Qiling Disk Master Standard is the best free USB bootable software that can help you create a Windows 11 recovery USB drive easily. It offers the following main features.
◉ Rufus is a free, open-source utility that allows you to create a bootable USB drive for various Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP.
◉ It offers all-You can choose from various backup solutions to suit your needs, including System Backup, Disk Backup, Partition Backup, and File Backup, each catering to different types of data that require protection.
◉ It can perform automatic backups to continuously protect your computer.
2. Windows 11 media creation tool
The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool allows you to download a Windows 11 ISO or create an installation media for a clean install or repair, and can even be used to install Windows 11 on unsupported devices.
How to make Windows 11 bootable USB
Before creating the media, it's essential to note that your USB drive will be formatted, which means all data on it will be lost. To avoid data loss, be sure to backup files on USB flash drive in advance. This precaution will ensure that your important files are safe and can be easily restored later.
Solution 1: Create Windows 11 boot USB with Qiling Disk Master
Step 1. To create a bootable USB drive, connect a USB drive to your computer, download and install Qiling Disk Master, and then launch the program. Next, click on the "Tools" menu and select "Create Bootable Media".
Tip: When the system detects a network connection, it automatically checks if a WinPE creating environment is available. If it's not found, it will automatically enable the option to download the WinPE creating environment from the internet.
Step 2. Select the USB Boot Device and click Next. You'll be prompted that your USB disk will be formatted, click Yes to proceed. This is safe since you've already made a backup.
Notes:
🔍 The created bootable disc supports both legacy/MBR and UEFI/GPT boot modes.
🔍 Upgrading to higher editions of Windows allows you to create a Windows recovery environment that can be accessed from the boot menu, eliminating the need for a bootable device to boot a failed system.
★ How to create a system image with Qiling Disk Master?
To create a system image for your old operating system, go to Backup > System Backup and save the image on an external drive or network location for safety. This allows you to roll back to your old OS if needed.
★ How to backup important files using Qiling Disk Master?
To protect your important data, go to Backup > File Backup and make a backup for specific files/folders. This will allow you to recover lost files with ease using a backup image.
Solution 2: Create bootable USB in Windows 11 using the media creation tool
1. Plug the USB drive into your computer and download the Windows 11 media creation tool from Microsoft.
2. After the MediaCreationToolW11.exe file is downloaded, right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
3. On the License terms page, select Accept.
4. On the "What do you want to do?" page, select "Create installation media for another PC" and click "Next".
5. The Setup program automatically selects the language, edition, and architecture for Windows 11 based on the current Windows environment. However, users can also manually change these settings by unchecking the "Use the recommended options for this PC" checkbox and selecting their preferred options.
6. Select USB flash drive as installation media and click Next.
7. Connect a USB drive, select it from the list, and click Next to start creating a bootable Windows 11 USB drive.
Wrapping things up
Now you know how to create a Windows 11 bootable USB using both Qiling Disk Master, a free USB bootable software, and the Windows 11 media creation tool. In addition to a bootable USB drive, it's also a good idea to have a system image and file backup in place to deal with potential Windows 11 update errors, and Qiling Disk Master can help with continuous data protection for your computer.
If you've been using Windows 11 for a while, you may want to consider moving it to a new computer. Fortunately, this process can be done smoothly with the advanced version of Qiling Disk Master, making it a convenient option to explore.
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