Get an external drive and maybe an adapter. Just about any type of USB external drive will work: thumb drive, hard drive, or SSD. The installer software will take up over 5GB.

Modern-day laptops and systems do not have CD or DVD writers and you need a bootable USB drive to load or install operating systems. There are a lot of tools out there to create bootable USB drives from ISO files. Some tools allow you to create a single OS USB drive while some others are multi-boot drive creators. These bootable drives are easy to carry and offer faster writing speeds. Here are the 10 best-tested software to make bootable drives.

• Create Bootable USB Installer for Mac OSX Using TransMac. To create bootable USB installer for Mac to Install Mac OS X El Capitan on Windows, on Mac or VirtualBox, you have to create bootable USB flash drive. Let’s get started on how to do it. First, you have to download TransMac software for Windows and install it on your computer.
• Is there any way to create a bootable Ubuntu USB flash drive from the terminal without using any third-party applications like YUMI, Unetbootin, Startup Disk Creator, etc. If we must look for text mode tools that are already installed in Ubuntu, I am afraid that there are no safe tools available.

1. Rufus

Rufus is one of the lightest of all the software tools. Rufus offered a portable version that you can use without having to install it. The tool automatically detects the USB drive and offers to create a bootable drive using MSDOS, ISO, and DD images.

Key Features

• Fastest software
• No installation required
• Supports multiple file system that includes FAT, FAT32, NTFS, UDF, and ExFAT
• Can create a bootable drive for all versions of windows and Linux distributions.
• Option to detect bad sectors in the drive before writing files to a USB
• Easy Interface.

Download Rufus

2. RMPrepUSB

Unlike Rufus, this software requires you to run the setup in order to install it. The installation process is quick and automatically creates a shortcut on the desktop. The best part of this tool is that it is updated regularly. Now let’s peep into its other specifications.

Key Features

• The interface is complex and cluttered.
• Can create multiple partitions on a bootable USB drive
• Capable to create both Windows and Linux bootable drives.
• Read and Write Speed Test of USB drive
• Supports four file systems that include FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT
• Option to create an ISO file from Bootable Drive
• Recommended for Advanced users

3. Universal USB Installer

This tool is offered by Pendrivelinux.com and can be used to create both Linux and Windows bootable USB disks. It is a 3-step process that involves selecting a pre-defined Linux distro or Windows version, browsing ISO file, and finally selecting the USB drive.

Key Features

• Supports FAT32 and NTFS file systems.
• Source files include ISO ZIP or DD types
• Easy installation
• User-friendly Interface
• Option to create Anti-Virus rescue disks
• The tool is free to use and Open source
• Regular updates

Download UUI

4. WinToBootic

This is a free tool and does not require any installation. But you need to have a .NET Framework installed in order to run this software. You can create only a windows bootable USB drive with this tool and does not support Linux.

Key Features

• No need for installation
• Fast conversion
• Supports Windows 7,8, Vista, 2008 and 2012
• Source file types include ISO, DVD, and Folder
• Can create both removable(USB) as well as fixed bootable drive.
• Can drag and drop the source files on the interface.
• Simple Interface.

5. YUMI

YUMI aka Your Universal Multi-Boot Installer is also offered by Pendrivelinux.com. This tool is used to create a bootable USB disk for multiple operating systems, antivirus scanners, and other system tools. It is a free and open-source tool.

Key Features

• Quick installation
• Option to download ISO file online
• A large collection of predefined OS, Anti-virus, and other diagnostic tools.
• Option to view and un-install a particular OS from a bootable drive
• Supports NTFS and FAT32 file systems.
• Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems
• Can make an Android Bootable disk

Download YUMI

6. Linux Live USB Creator (LiLi)

This is an open-source and free software to create a Live USB drive. As the name suggests, it is used to create only a Linux bootable drive. This tool also tells you if the ISO file is clean or corrupted.

Key Features

• No need to reboot after completion
• Can select from a large number of Linux distros.
• Attractive colorful Interface
• The persistence feature allows you to save and install your own software.
• Source files include ISO, ZIP, and IMG
• Translation to thirty-two different languages
• Option to download source file online
• Software tool cab installed on all versions of windows.

Download LiLi

7. WinSetUp From USB

Originally developed to create a bootable drive for Windows (XP) operating systems, this tool is updated to create a bootable disk for multiple operating systems including Windows and Linux.

Key Features

• No need for installation.
• Can create both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of windows
• Automatically formats and creates partitions in disk
• Can create a bootable disk along with an antivirus rescue disk on a single USB drive
• Being an open-source tool, it is updated on regular basis by community members.
• Simple and clear Interface

Download tool

8. UNetBootin

This is another free tool for bootable Live USB creation. It has a collection of pre-defined distributions and system utilities similar to the Universal USB installer but the size of the collection is much small compared to UUI. You can download the software for Windows, Linux, and Mac. (separate files for each OS).

Key Features

• The option of selecting a distribution from their database (online download) and upload the ISO file from the local
• Creation of only Linux and related distributions.
• No need for the installation of software
• Easy and Simple to understand Interface.
• Option to create a bootable fixed hard disk and removable USB disk

Download UNetbootIn

9. XBoot

This is yet another multi-boot USB drive creator and can also be used to create a multi-boot ISO file. It is a lightweight application and does not require installation. Presently, it is available to run only on Windows operating system.

Key Features

• Drag and Drop facility for uploading ISO files
• Installation not required
• Simple and easy Interface
• Option to edit the bootloader
• Supports a number of Linux distros
• Free tool

Download XBoot

10. Passcape ISO Burner

This is one of the best ISO burners to burn ISO imaged on CD/DVD/USB-Drive/SD cards/ZIP drives. The program is portable and does not copy any files on the hard disk. Although it is free to use the software, it provides lifetime tech support.

Key Features

• Supports WinXP to Windows 10
• Simple interface for Beginners
• Option to extract ISO file on local disk
• Lightweight Software
• Need Administrative rights to use all the features.
• Supports most of the DVD-writers and USB drives.

Download PIB

11.Etcher

BalenaEtcher is an open-source utility used to burn files on the hard disk from operating systems such as .iso and .img files to make it a live SD card or USB flash drive. It is considered the best bootable USB creator.

To install an OS on your PC or operate an operating system, you can use these live SD cards or USB drives. If you are into operating systems and penetration testing, BalenaEtcher has made it easier for you.

Key Features

The user-interface it has is the primary aspect that makes Etcher one of the best and most commonly used live USB creators. It has one of the most straightforward user interfaces one can expect from Balena Etcher. No complicated setup or other command-line code you need to enter. Within a couple of taps, the command will be executed. Burning every file on your chosen Operating System takes only three taps.

This command-line interface feature is still under development for those who choose to do this from the command-line interface.

Create a Bootable USB Drive Faster Now

In the year 2017 the sleek Ultrabooks are preferred over heavy laptops and desktop computers, CD drives are vanishing from the hardware. Installation of Windows or Linux is now being done from portable devices like USB or SD cards. Creation of such bootable drives is made easy with these free tools. Which software are you using to create bootable drives? If you are using a tool that is not listed here, share it in the comments section.

Feb 02, 2021 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

Windows Preinstallation Environment is a lightweight operating system that provides minimum services to its users. Though, it can readily be used to install a primary operating system, troubleshoot, or perform recovery operations. To use Windows PE, you need to create a USB bootable device. It doesn't matter if you wish to boot your system via a CD/DVD or USB flash drive – you need to create a bootable disk. In this post, we will teach you how to create USB bootable in no time.

What is Windows PE?

The Windows Preinstallation Environment provides a fast and easy way for users to run the installation of primary Windows. It was initially launched with Windows XP and has been a vital part of every version of Windows since then. The lightweight environment runs on its own and has TCP/IP components as well to maintain network communication. Besides providing an ideal environment to install Windows, it can also be used to provide troubleshooting options or perform recovery of system data. Since it can easily be loaded from a USB drive or CD Rom, it is used on numerous occasions.

Prepare a USB drive

The first step to learn how to create a USB bootable with Windows PE is to prepare a USB drive. It can be done by following these steps:

Firstly, you need to download Windows ADK here. Or get it from its official website. It includes essential deployment tools and the Windows Preinstallation Environment. To create the bootable WinPE USB or ISO, we only need Deployment Tools and Windows Preinstallation Environment.

Create Multiple Partitions on Your USB drive (Optional)

If you are using Windows 10 (1703 version), then you can create multiple partitions on a single USB. It can also be a combination of NTFS and FAT32. The command 'MakeWinPEMedia' can be used to format a USB as FAT32 with a limit of 4 GB file size. In this way, you can use the same USB drive to store information as well as to boot it via Windows PE.

We have taken the assistance of the 'diskpart' command to achieve it. Simply follow this code to partition your drive in FAT2 and NTFS. The NTFS partition can be used as an available space while 2 GB of storage has been allocated to FAT32 for Windows PE in this case.

If you are using an earlier version of Windows 10 (before 1607), then you won't be able to create different partition types. Therefore, to create a bootable disk in this case, you need to work on a single partition. The 'MakeWinPEMedia' command will format your drive entirely as FAT32. This will support the booting of any BIOS kernel. Additionally, it will support the file size of 4 GB at max. Once it is done, you can use the 'MakeWinPEMedia' command to format the USB drive and make it ready for Windows PE.

Create a WinPE drive

After preparing your USB drive, you need to take some needed measures to create a WinPE drive. To create a USB bootable drive with Windows PE, follow these steps:

1. To start with, launch the Windows Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment that you have already downloaded. Make sure that you run it via administrator.

2. Now, you need to create a copy of the Windows PE file. This can be done by using the 'copype' command. You can have the arm, x86, or amd64 format. A sample code would be like: 'copype amd64 C:WinPE'.

If you are creating WinPE for a 32-bit computer, just replace amd64 with x86, that is, the code will be 'copype x86 C:WinPE'

3. Great! You are almost there. Now, you can just install the Windows PE to your attached USB drive. A sample command can be 'MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:WinPE P:' You can replace the letter of the drive with your drive name as well. Needless to say, this will automatically format your drive.

By following these steps, you easily learn how to create a bootable disk using Windows PE.

Boot to Windows PE

Now when you know how to create USB bootable, you can make a bootable disk with Windows PE and keep it handy. Whenever your system would crash or malfunction, you can take the assistance of Windows Preinstallation Environment to fix it. You can boot your system to a Windows PE disk after following these easy steps:

1. Firstly, you need to connect the bootable USB drive to your system.
2. If your system is already running, then you need to restart it. Else, you can just turn it on.
3. As your Windows PC would turn on, press the relevant key (depends on the system you are using) that will launch the boot menu.
4. From here, you can select the USB drive as a source.

1. Once you will select the bootable USB drive with Windows PE, you can see the command 'Wpeinit' on the screen as it will load the Windows Preinstallation Environment.

After when Windows PE interface is loaded, you can simply perform the desired operation.

How to Create WinPE to Recover Data from the Unbootable Computer

In this way, you can create a bootable disk pretty easily and boot your system from it whenever needed. We recommend that you create a USB bootable soon and keep it handy. However, can we create WinPE to recover data from the Unbootable computer? Yes, we recommend Recoverit to help you with recovering data from the unbootable computer. Moreover, you can finish all the process with simple clicks.

Create Bootable Usb Drive Mac High Sierra

Your Safe & Reliable Data Recovery Software

• Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely, and completely.
• Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera, and camcorders.
• Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, hard drive corruption, virus attack, system crash under different situations.

Create Bootable Usb Flash Drive On Macos For Windows 10

Step 1. Install and launch the Recoverit Data Recovery software and choose the 'Recover from Crash Computer' option. Click the Start button to continue.

Step 2. Plugin a USB flash drive or insert a CD/DVD for creating the bootable media. Click the Create button to go on.

Step 3. The software will write WinPE files into the media. Wait for the process done.

Step 4. When the above process is done, you can boot the unbootable computer with the WinPE media. And Recoverit will launch automatically. Just follow the instructions to recover the lost data.

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