Create bootable usb drive with bootable media builder​

Creating a bootable USB drive using a bootable media builder is an essential skill for those involved in system administration, troubleshooting, and even software installation. A bootable USB drive allows users to boot into a different operating system or a recovery tool without the need for a physical CD or DVD. 

1. Bootable Media

A bootable USB drive is a storage device from which a computer can boot up and load an operating system or utility. Typically, bootable drives are used for:

Operating System Installation: A USB drive can be used to install a new operating system, such as Windows or Linux.

Recovery and Repair: A bootable USB can contain system recovery tools to help diagnose and fix issues on a system that cannot boot normally.

Portable OS: Some users use bootable USBs to carry around a portable OS that can be booted on different computers.

Utilities and Diagnostic Tools: IT professionals use bootable USB drives to load diagnostic software, like antivirus tools, disk partitioning utilities, or backup programs.

2. Requirements

To create a bootable USB drive, you’ll need the following:

A USB Drive: Ensure the USB drive has sufficient space for the operating system or utility you wish to install. A minimum of 4GB is required for basic systems, while larger OS installations (like Windows) may need 8GB or more.

Bootable Media Builder Software: There are various tools available for creating bootable USB drives, such as:

Rufus: A lightweight and highly popular tool for creating bootable USBs from ISO files.

Windows Media Creation Tool: A tool provided by Microsoft to create a bootable USB for Windows installations.

UNetbootin: A cross-platform tool used for creating bootable Linux USB drives.

balenaEtcher: A user-friendly tool that supports creating bootable USBs for Linux and other systems.

ISO File: The ISO file is the image of the operating system or utility you want to install. This could be an ISO for Windows, Linux, or even recovery software.

3. Choosing the Right Bootable Media Builder

The first step is to choose the right bootable media builder. The choice of builder depends on the operating system or utility you want to install. Below are some popular bootable media builders and what they are best used for:

3.1 Rufus

Rufus is one of the most widely used tools for creating bootable USB drives. It supports a wide variety of operating systems and is compatible with both BIOS and UEFI systems. Rufus is fast and easy to use, and it supports creating bootable drives from ISO files.

3.2 Windows Media Creation Tool

If you are looking to create a bootable USB for installing Windows, the official Windows Media Creation Tool is your best option. This tool automatically downloads the latest version of Windows and prepares your USB drive for installation.

3.3 UNetbootin

UNetbootin is a tool that supports the creation of bootable USB drives for various Linux distributions. It is cross-platform, meaning it can be used on both Windows and Linux systems.

3.4 balenaEtcher

balenaEtcher is known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface. It works with ISO files for Linux distributions and other systems. Etcher is great for those who want a straightforward, no-fuss approach to creating bootable USB drives.

4. Preparing the USB Drive

Before using any bootable media builder, it’s essential to prepare your USB drive. Here are the steps to ensure your USB drive is ready:

4.1 Formatting the USB Drive

The USB drive should be formatted before use to ensure compatibility with the bootable media. Most bootable media builders will handle this step automatically, but it’s a good idea to manually format the drive beforehand. Follow these steps:

Insert the USB drive into your computer.

Open the Disk Management tool (on Windows) or Disk Utility (on macOS).

Right-click on the USB drive and select Format.

Choose the file system as FAT32 for smaller drives (less than 32GB) or exFAT for larger drives.

Set the allocation unit size to the default setting.

Label the drive (optional).

Click Start to format the drive.

4.2 Backing Up Data

Formatting the USB drive will erase all data on it. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

5. Step-by-Step Guide for Creating a Bootable USB Drive

Now that your USB drive is ready and you have selected a bootable media builder, follow these steps to create a bootable USB drive.

5.1 Using Rufus (Windows)

Rufus is one of the most versatile tools for creating bootable USB drives. Here is a step-by-step guide to using Rufus:

Download Rufus: Go to the official Rufus website and download the latest version of the software.

Launch Rufus: Open the Rufus application. You don’t need to install it, as it runs directly from the executable file.

Insert the USB Drive: Plug the USB drive into your computer. Rufus should automatically detect it.

Select the Bootable ISO: Under the Boot selection dropdown, click on SELECT and choose the ISO file you want to use. This could be a Windows installation file, a Linux distribution, or a recovery tool.

Choose Partition Scheme: Rufus will automatically select the correct partition scheme based on the ISO file, but you can manually select it if needed. For modern systems, GPT is the preferred choice, while MBR works for older systems.

File System: Select the File system as FAT32 for smaller ISO files or NTFS for larger files (Windows ISOs typically use NTFS).

Start the Process: Click on START to begin the process. Rufus will format the USB drive and copy the files from the ISO to the USB.

Wait for Completion: The process will take a few minutes, depending on the size of the ISO and the speed of your USB drive. Once it’s complete, the USB drive will be bootable and ready for use.

5.2 Using Windows Media Creation Tool (Windows)

If you’re creating a bootable USB for Windows, follow these steps using the Windows Media Creation Tool:

Download the Media Creation Tool: Go to the Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool.

Run the Tool: Open the tool and accept the license agreement.

Choose “Create Installation Media”: Select the option to create installation media for another PC.

Select Language and Architecture: Choose your desired language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

Choose USB Flash Drive: When prompted, select the USB flash drive option and choose the USB drive from the list.

Create the USB Drive: The tool will download Windows and create the bootable USB drive. This process may take some time.

5.3 Using UNetbootin (Linux/Windows)

UNetbootin is an excellent choice for creating bootable USB drives for Linux distributions:

Download UNetbootin: Download and install UNetbootin from the official website.

Run the Tool: Open UNetbootin and select the Diskimage option.

Choose the ISO File: Browse and select the ISO file for the Linux distribution you want to install.

Select USB Drive: Choose the target USB drive from the list of available drives.

Create Bootable USB: Click OK to start the process. UNetbootin will copy the necessary files and make the USB drive bootable.

5.4 Using balenaEtcher (Linux/Windows/macOS)

balenaEtcher is another straightforward option:

Download balenaEtcher: Download and install balenaEtcher from the official website.

Run the Tool: Open balenaEtcher.

Select the ISO File: Click Flash from File and select the ISO file.

Choose the USB Drive: Select the USB drive from the list of available devices.

Start Flashing: Click Flash! to begin the process. Etcher will automatically format the USB drive and copy the necessary files.

6. Testing the Bootable USB Drive

Once the process is complete, it’s important to test the bootable USB drive. To do this, restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings (usually by pressing a key like F2. F12. or Del during startup). In the boot menu, select the USB drive as the primary boot device. If the USB is properly created, your computer should boot from it and begin the installation or recovery process.

7. Troubleshooting

If your USB drive doesn’t boot, there are several possible causes:

Incorrect Boot Order: Ensure the USB drive is set as the first boot device in the BIOS/UEFI settings.

Damaged ISO File: If the ISO file is corrupted or incomplete, the bootable USB may fail. Re-download the ISO file and try again.

Faulty USB Drive: Test the USB drive on another computer to rule out hardware failure.

Creating a bootable USB drive using a bootable media builder is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail to ensure success. With the right tools and a little patience, you can create a bootable USB drive for a variety of purposes, from installing a new operating system to troubleshooting a broken computer.