Microsoft lets you create a Windows 10 bootable USB disk using the Media Creation Tool, which may actually be confusing for some. Since modern PCs today use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) instead of BIOS (a replacement for standard BIOS), the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool is becoming redundant. If you still prefer that method, check our guide on the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
While installing Windows 10 using bootable media, you may encounter issues where the system will not recognize the new media or will return errors such as Installation failed due to GUID Partition Table.
Creating a Windows 10 bootable USB disk using Rufus is a quick and easy way to install or repair Windows 10 on your computer. It is a freeware tool that can create bootable USB disks from ISO image files. Alternatively, you may also try Ventoy2Disk, another reliable tool for multi-boot USB creation.
How to Make a Windows 10 Bootable USB Disk (Rufus Method)?
Here’s how to create a Windows 10 bootable USB disk using Rufus:-
- First, download Rufus from its official website.
- Insert a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage into your computer.
- Open Rufus and select the USB drive from the “Device” dropdown menu.
- Under “Boot selection,” click on the “Select” button and navigate to the Windows 10 ISO image file on your computer.
- Under “Partition scheme,” select “MBR” if your computer uses BIOS or “GPT” if your computer uses UEFI.
- Under “File system,” select “NTFS.”
- Under “Cluster size,” select “Default.”
- Under “New volume label,” enter a name for the USB drive if you want.
- Under “Format options,” make sure that “Quick format” and “Create a bootable disk using” are checked.
- Click on the “Start” button to begin the process.
- When Rufus displays the warning that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed, click “OK” to proceed.
Rufus will start formatting the USB drive and copy the Windows 10 files to it. This process may take several minutes, depending on your computer’s and USB drive’s speed.
Once the process is complete, Rufus will display a message that the USB drive is ready. You can now eject the USB drive and use it to install or repair Windows 10 on your computer. If you run into boot errors later, consider using boot repair tools to fix startup issues.
Pros and Considerations of Using Rufus
- Pros
- Lightweight and portable (no installation required)
- Supports both BIOS (MBR) and UEFI (GPT) schemes
- Completely free and frequently updated
- Considerations
- All existing data on the USB drive will be erased
- Some advanced options may confuse beginners
FAQs
Q: Can Rufus create a bootable USB for Windows 11, too?
Yes, Rufus supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11 ISOs. You can also try tools like the Windows 11 bootable USB guide.
Q: What size USB drive do I need?
At least 8 GB is recommended, but 16 GB or more is better for large ISO files.
Q: Is Rufus safe to use?
Yes, Rufus is a trusted open-source tool. Always download it from the official website.
That’s it! You have successfully created a Windows 10 bootable USB disk using Rufus.
Conclusion
Using Rufus is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to create a Windows 10 bootable USB drive. Unlike the Media Creation Tool, it gives you more control over partition schemes (MBR or GPT) and file systems, making it suitable for both BIOS and UEFI systems. If you ever need an alternative, tools like Ventoy2Disk can also simplify the process. With your bootable USB ready, you can now install, repair, or upgrade Windows 10 without hassle.