How to Use Rufus to Install Windows 11 (with Pictures)

What is Rufus?

If you're seeking a clean installation of the Windows 11 operating system on your computer and are wondering how to use Rufus to install Windows 11, the optimal approach is to create a bootable USB drive. The Rufus tool will assist you in creating a bootable USB drive on your PC.

Rufus is a utility software designed to assist users in creating or formatting bootable USB flash drives. It is particularly useful when you require a USB installation media from bootable ISO images, such as Linux, UEFI, or Windows, for installing an operating system on a PC without one.

* Do you know how to create a Windows bootable USB with Rufus?

How to use Rufus to install Windows 11

To minimize the likelihood of encountering issues while creating a bootable USB with Rufus, familiarize yourself with the four fundamental requirements and prepare for them beforehand.

< strong > 1. An empty USB stick, flash drive

Upon completion of the Rufus utility installation, users will require an empty flash drive to burn the ISO image. Ensure that the USB device you're using is empty. Format the drive before proceeding to the next step.

2. Download the Windows 11 ISO image

Multiple Windows 11 files are available online, making it straightforward to download. Simply access the internet and search for Windows 11 ISO images. Ensure you download the file from a reputable website to confirm its integrity and avoid corruption.

This guide informs you how to download Windows 11 automatically without the need to search for an ISO file.

3. Download and install Rufus on your computer

If you wish to download and install Windows 11 with the assistance of Rufus, you must first download and install the Rufus utility on your computer. While downloading Rufus, if prompted to update, ensure that you do so.

Burn ISO image to the USB drive in Rufus

Launch the Rufus application and select the USB flash drive you intend to use under "Device." Click the "Select" button on the right side of the application. A new window will open, prompting you to choose the Windows 11 ISO file that you have downloaded from the internet.

"Burn ISO to USB with Rufus"

Complete guide on creating and installing Windows 11 using Rufus

Step 1. Proceed to the third option available in the Rufus utility, labeled "Image Option." From the dropdown, choose "Standard Windows Installation." In the partition scheme option, opt for GPT. Click on the Volume Label and type the desired name for your USB drive.

Step 2. Leave all the other options as they are and click on the Start button. A warning message will appear on the screen stating that all data on the flash drive will be erased, so make sure to click on the OK button.

Step 3. Wait for the USB drive to get created. You can check on the Status section to stay updated on how much the installation has been completed.

Once the process is complete, you would get to see the following media bar.

Step 4. Once the USB drive is created, insert it into the computer you want to install the operating system on, then restart the system. This will initiate the installation process. Continue, and your operating system will be installed in a short amount of time.

How to run Windows 11 from a bootable USB drive

The other scenario is when you need a bootable Windows 11 USB drive from other computers. Rufus can assist you in performing a clean installation of the Windows 11 operating system on a computer. However, with the aid of 工具 OS2Go, you can attempt to clone a Windows 11 operating system onto a USB drive and make it bootable on any device, including another PC and Mac.

What's OS2Go?

OS2GO is a popular tool for creating a bootable USB drive for Windows. It enables users to create a portable USB drive from an already installed Microsoft Windows operating system. This tool facilitates cloning an existing OS onto a USB drive.

A straightforward comparison between OS2Go and Rufus

OS2GO and Rufus are utility software tools that aid in creating bootable USB drives, albeit with distinct differences. Rufus is employed when you possess an ISO file of the operating system, and your task is to create the bootable USB drive. On the other hand, OS2Go is utilized to directly clone and make a USB bootable drive from an already installed operating system. Each tool has its specific purpose.

Title: Guide to Creating a Bootable Windows 11 Drive with OS2Go 1. Introduction: To create a bootable Windows 11 installation drive using OS2Go, follow these step-by-step instructions. 2. Requirements: - A PC running Windows 10 or later - An empty USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage - Downloaded ISO file of Windows 11 - OS2Go software (download from the official website) 3. Download and Install OS2Go: - Visit the OS2Go official website and download the latest version of the software. - Install the application on your computer by following the on-screen instructions. 4. Prepare the USB Drive: - Backup any important data on the USB drive as it will be formatted during the process. - Connect the USB drive to your computer. 5. Launch OS2Go: - Open OS2Go from your Start menu or desktop shortcut. 6. Select the USB Drive: - In the OS2Go interface, choose the USB drive from the list of available drives. Make sure you select the correct drive, as formatting will erase all data. 7. Load the Windows 11 ISO: - Click on "Load ISO" or a similar option, then browse and select the downloaded Windows 11 ISO file. 8. Formatting the Drive: - OS2Go may prompt you to format the USB drive. Confirm the action when prompted, as this is necessary to create a bootable drive. 9. Create the Bootable Drive: - Click on "Start" or "Create" to begin the process of making the Windows 11 bootable USB drive with OS2Go. This may take some time depending on the speed of your USB drive. 10. Wait for Completion: - Do not interrupt the process or disconnect the USB drive until the creation is complete. 11. Verify the Bootable Drive: - Once finished, eject the USB drive safely and insert it into the computer where you want to install Windows 11. - Boot the computer from the USB drive (refer to your computer's manual for BIOS/UEFI settings). 12. Install Windows 11: - Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the Windows 11 installation. 13. Conclusion: Congratulations! You have successfully created a bootable Windows 11 drive using OS2Go. Now, you can install Windows 11 on your desired system.

< strong > Step 1. Install OS2Go on your Windows computer, which will show the used space on your system drive. Insert a USB drive with a capacity larger than the used space on the system drive. Select the target USB drive and click Next to proceed.

Step 2. OS2Go will warn you that this process will erase all data on your drive. Make sure you've backed up all important data. Click Continue to proceed.

Step 3. Adjust disk layout. The default disk layout on the target drive will be identical to the source drive. You can also edit the layout to suit your needs. Check the option if you're using an SSD as the Windows boot drive. Then, click Proceed.

Step 4. Then OS2Go will begin creating the portable USB drive. This usually takes some time, depending on your operating system and network conditions. When the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive should be bootable.

Step 5. Insert the portable Windows USB and start your computer. Press the required key (F2, DEL, F10...) to access BIOS. Choose to boot from the USB disk.

Note: Please ensure that the boot mode (either UEFI or Legacy) of the portable USB and your target computer are identical, or else you might fail to boot.

Both Rufus and Tool OS2GO are popular options for creating a bootable USB drive. They are utilized in different situations, so you can choose the method that best suits your needs based on how and where you are creating the bootable drive.