Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Bootable USB Drive

Creating a bootable USB drive is a useful skill, especially if you need to install or repair an operating system. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you create a bootable USB drive.

What You’ll Need

• A USB drive (at least 8 GB for most operating systems)
• A computer with an internet connection
• The ISO file of the operating system you want to install
• A tool to create the bootable USB (e.g., Rufus for Windows, Etcher or UNetbootin for Linux and macOS)

Step 1: Download the ISO File

1. Choose the Operating System: Decide which operating system you want to install.

2. Download the ISO: Visit the official website of the OS to download the ISO file. Make sure you download the correct version for your system (32-bit or 64-bit).

Step 2: Download the USB Creation Tool

1. Choose a Tool: Depending on your operating system, choose a suitable tool:

   • Windows: Rufus
   • macOS/Linux: Etcher or UNetbootin

2. Download the Tool: Visit the tool’s official website and download it.

Step 3: Prepare the USB Drive

1. Insert the USB Drive: Connect the USB drive to your computer.

2. Backup Data: Ensure that all important data on the USB drive is backed up, as the process will erase all existing data.

Step 4: Create the Bootable USB

Using Rufus (Windows):

1. Open Rufus: Launch the Rufus application.

2. Select the USB Drive: Under "Device," choose your USB drive from the dropdown menu.

3. Select the ISO File: Click on "Select" next to "Boot selection" and choose the ISO file you downloaded.

4. Partition Scheme: Choose the appropriate scheme based on your system:

   • MBR for BIOS or UEFI-CSM
   • GPT for UEFI

5. File System: Typically, NTFS or FAT32 is used. The default option is usually appropriate.

6. Start the Process: Click "Start" to begin, and confirm any prompts.

Using Etcher (macOS/Linux):

1. Open Etcher: Launch the Etcher application.

2. Select Image: Click "Flash from file" and choose the ISO file.

3. Select Target: Choose your USB drive.

4. Flash: Click "Flash!" to begin the process.

Using UNetbootin (Linux):

1. Open UNetbootin: Launch the UNetbootin application.

2. Select the ISO File: Choose "Diskimage" and locate your downloaded ISO file.

3. Select Drive: Make sure the correct USB drive is selected.

4. Start: Click "OK" to start the process.

Step 5: Boot from the USB Drive

1. Restart the Computer: Once the process is complete, restart your computer.

2. Enter Boot Menu: Access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F12, ESC, or DEL) during startup.

3. Select USB Drive: Choose your USB drive from the list to boot from it.

4. Proceed with Installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to install or repair the operating system.

Tips

• Always verify the integrity of your downloaded ISO file using checksums.
• Ensure no important data is on your USB drive before the process starts, as it will be erased.
• Keep the software updated to ensure better compatibility and security.

By following these steps, you can successfully create a bootable USB drive for installing or repairing your operating system.