Creating Bootable USB with Rufus

Before you begin:

• Ensure you have a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space. Formatting will erase all data on the drive, so back up any important files beforehand.
• Download the latest version of Rufus from the official website: https://rufus.ie/
• You’ll also need a Windows ISO file, which you can obtain legally through Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool or other authorized sources.

Instructions:

1. Run Rufus: Double-click the downloaded Rufus executable file. No installation is required.
2. Select your USB drive: In the “Device” dropdown menu, choose the USB drive you want to make bootable. Make sure you select the correct drive!
3. Partition scheme and Target system type:
   • Under “Partition scheme and target system type,” choose either:
     • GPT for UEFI systems (recommended for most modern systems)
     • MBR for BIOS or UEFI systems (older systems or if unsure)
4. New file system and cluster size:
   • Under “New file system and cluster size,” select:
     • File system: NTFS (default)
     • Cluster size: Leave as default (usually 4096)
5. Format options:
   • Check the “Create extended label and partition” box.
   • You can set a custom volume label if desired, but leaving it default is fine.
6. Select your Windows ISO:
   • Click the “Select” button next to “Boot selection.”
   • Choose the downloaded Windows ISO file.
   • Optional: Check “Advanced download options” if you want to customize your image download (not necessary for basic installation).
7. Start the creation process:
   • Click the “Start” button.
   • Warning: This will erase all data on the USB drive! Confirm if you’re ready to proceed.
   • The creation process might take some time.
8. Wait for completion:
   • Leave your computer running and don’t remove the USB drive while Rufus is working.
   • Once completed, you’ll receive a success message.
9. Your bootable USB is ready!

Using your bootable USB to install Windows:

1. Connect the USB drive to the target computer.
2. Boot the computer: Most computers allow you to select the boot device during startup. This is usually done by pressing a specific key during the boot process (e.g., F12, Esc). Refer to your computer’s manual for instructions.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions: The Windows installation process will guide you through setting up your system.

Additional tips:

• Rufus offers advanced options for experienced users. However, the default settings should suffice for most situations.
• Ensure the target computer meets the system requirements for the Windows version you’re installing.
• Make sure you have your product key (if applicable) for activating Windows during the installation process.