Guides

How to Use Rufus to Create a Bootable USB Drive

How to Use Rufus to Create a Bootable USB Drive

Rufus is a free and lightweight tool that allows you to easily create bootable USB drives from ISO files. Follow this step-by-step guide to get started.

What You Need

  • A USB flash drive (at least 8GB recommended)
  • The ISO file you want to burn
  • Rufus software (download from official website)
  • A Windows PC

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Download and Install Rufus:

    Visit the official Rufus website and download the latest version. No installation is required; simply run the downloaded executable file.

  2. Insert Your USB Drive:

    Plug your USB drive into your computer. Ensure there are no important files on it, as the process will erase all data on the drive.

  3. Open Rufus:

    Double-click the Rufus executable to launch the application. It should automatically detect your USB drive.

  4. Select the ISO File:

    Under the Boot selection section, click the SELECT button and choose the ISO file you want to use.

  5. Configure Partition Scheme:

    Ensure the Partition scheme matches your target system:

    • GPT for UEFI systems
    • MBR for BIOS/legacy systems
    Rufus will usually auto-detect the correct setting based on the ISO.

  6. Start the Process:

    Click the START button. Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be erased. Confirm to proceed.

  7. Wait for Completion:

    The process may take several minutes. Once finished, you will see a Ready message.

  8. Eject Your USB Drive:

    Safely eject the USB drive from your computer. It is now ready to use as a bootable drive.

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • If your ISO file is larger than 4GB, ensure your USB drive is formatted with the NTFS file system.
  • Always double-check the partition scheme and target system settings before starting the process.
  • If you encounter errors, try using a different USB drive or downloading the ISO file again.