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How to boot from a USB device best option for you

How to boot from a USB device best option for you. Using a USB device to start your computer or laptop is beneficial in a number of situations, but how? That seems like a too-far move.

However, in many circumstances, this is a required step. It’s the simplest method if you’re reinstalling Windows 11 or 10 or utilizing tools to clone a hard drive.

Three items are necessary for the procedure to function before you start:

  • bootable USB flash drive.
  • a laptop or computer configured to start from USB devices
  • downloadable software for USB drives

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How to make a USB device bootable:

If a USB drive isn’t correctly formatted and lacks the files and software necessary for it to boot, a PC or laptop won’t be able to start from it.

It’s a common misconception to think that copying an operating system’s ISO file to a USB drive will be sufficient for it to boot and install Windows or any other operating system. Utilize applications that can write files to the device and enable booting first.

Rufus:

Rufus (which works with many operating systems) and Microsoft’s own Media Creation Tool are two tools that can achieve this. With these tools, you may legally download Windows 10 or Windows 11 and put them on a USB stick.

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boot from a USB device
boot from a USB device

Rufus does require some caution when utilizing certain options, but for the most part, all you need to do is click the CD drive icon, select an ISO file, and make sure the “Create a bootable disc using” box is checked.

Make sure you’ve copied off any files you don’t want to lose before using these tools because they’ll warn you that they’ll wipe everything from your USB drive. Additionally, any software—Windows, Linux, or something else—you intend to boot from needs to have been downloaded.

How you can boot from USB in the BIOS?

Before attempting to boot from a CD, DVD, or internal hard drive, many PCs and laptops are configured to first check for a USB drive. However, not all have this setup. If you connect to your flash drive before turning on your computer, you might find that nothing happens or that Windows starts up normally if you don’t yet have an operating system installed.

In this situation, you must:

  1. To access the BIOS, turn on your computer and press Delete, F2, F10, or F11 (device-specific).
  2. Use the cursor keys to get to the “Boot” menu or a similar screen.
  3. Change the priority of the first boot priority so that USB is at the top of the list.

Look for a message on your monitor after pushing the computer’s power button if none of those keys allow you to access the BIOS. The notice, which typically says something like “Press F11 for boot options,” appears at the bottom of the screen.

You may need to consult your motherboard manual or the manufacturer’s website if your PC or laptop doesn’t display this information.

Find the menu or option that allows you to view and modify the boot devices or boot priority while you’re in the BIOS. Although it may differ from BIOS to BIOS, this is typically very evident.

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boot from a USB device
boot from a USB device

USB device bootable:

Some older PCs might not be able to boot from USB, but anything made in the last ten years or so should be able to. Check to see if the BIOS hasn’t deactivated USB ports if you’re still having issues. Although every BIOS functions differently, it should be easy to figure out how to set a USB drive as the initial boot device.

Remember that for the USB stick to show up in the list of boot options, a USB port may need to be plugged in.

Once everything is configured correctly, utilize the BIOS’s “Save & Exit” option to save your changes and restart the computer (often this is the F10 key). When your computer or laptop restarts, then it should start from the USB drive.

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