How To Boot From Usb

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Welcome to our guide on how to boot from USB. In this article, we will explain the process of booting up your computer from a USB drive. Booting from USB is a useful technique when you need to install a new operating system, recover data or troubleshoot your computer. Follow the step-by-step guide below to learn how to boot from USB.

What is Booting from USB?

Booting from USB means starting up your computer using a USB drive instead of the built-in hard drive. This technique is useful when you need to install a new operating system or run a diagnostic tool on your computer. The USB drive acts as the bootable device, containing the necessary files to start up your computer.

Creating a Bootable USB Drive

The first step in booting from USB is to create a bootable USB drive. You can create a bootable USB drive using various tools like Rufus, UNetbootin, or the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. These tools will help you create a bootable USB drive with the necessary files to start up your computer.

Using Rufus to Create a Bootable USB Drive

Rufus is a free and easy-to-use tool for creating bootable USB drives. Follow the steps below to create a bootable USB drive using Rufus:

  1. Insert your USB drive into your computer.
  2. Download and install Rufus on your computer.
  3. Open Rufus and select your USB drive from the Device dropdown menu.
  4. Select the ISO image file of the operating system you want to install from the Boot selection dropdown menu.
  5. Click on Start to begin the process of creating a bootable USB drive.

Using UNetbootin to Create a Bootable USB Drive

UNetbootin is another free and easy-to-use tool for creating bootable USB drives. Follow the steps below to create a bootable USB drive using UNetbootin:

  1. Insert your USB drive into your computer.
  2. Download and install UNetbootin on your computer.
  3. Open UNetbootin and select your USB drive from the Drive dropdown menu.
  4. Select the ISO image file of the operating system you want to install from the ISO selection dropdown menu.
  5. Click on OK to begin the process of creating a bootable USB drive.

Using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to Create a Bootable USB Drive

The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is a free tool provided by Microsoft to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 10. Follow the steps below to create a bootable USB drive using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool:

  1. Download and install the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool on your computer.
  2. Open the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and select Create installation media for another PC.
  3. Select the language, edition, and architecture of Windows 10 you want to install.
  4. Select USB flash drive as the media to use.
  5. Select your USB drive from the list of available drives.
  6. Click on Next to begin the process of creating a bootable USB drive.

Booting from USB

Now that you have created a bootable USB drive, you can use it to boot up your computer. Follow the steps below to boot from USB:

  1. Insert the bootable USB drive into a USB port on your computer.
  2. Restart your computer.
  3. Press the key to enter the boot menu. This key may vary depending on your computer manufacturer, but it is typically F12, F10, or Esc.
  4. Select the option to boot from USB.
  5. Press Enter to start booting from USB.

FAQs

Q: What if my computer doesn’t boot from USB?

A: If your computer doesn’t boot from USB, it may be because the USB drive is not set as the first boot device in the BIOS. To change this, restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the key specified by your computer manufacturer. Look for the Boot menu and change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive over the hard drive.

Q: Can I use any USB drive to create a bootable drive?

A: No, not all USB drives are suitable for creating a bootable drive. You need to use a USB drive that has enough capacity and is compatible with the bootable drive creation tool you are using. It is recommended to use a USB 3.0 drive with at least 8GB of storage.

Q: Can I use a bootable USB drive on multiple computers?

A: Yes, you can use a bootable USB drive on multiple computers, as long as they have the same system requirements and architecture as the operating system you are installing.

Conclusion

Booting from USB is a useful technique when you need to install a new operating system, recover data or troubleshoot your computer. Creating a bootable USB drive is easy with tools like Rufus, UNetbootin or the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to boot from USB and get your computer up and running in no time.