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how to create a start up disk using usb drive

Linda Oconnor 0 Reputation points
2025-12-29T15:24:11.29+00:00

just need to create a start up disk using a USB for my laptop, my laptop won't load windows

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade
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  1. AI answer

    2025-12-29T15:24:18.7266667+00:00

    To create a startup disk using a USB drive for your laptop, follow these steps:

    1. Download the Windows installation media: You can download the Windows installation image from the official Microsoft website.
    2. Prepare the USB drive: Connect your USB drive to your computer. Make sure to back up any important data on the USB drive, as this process will erase all existing data.
    3. Open Diskpart:
      • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
      • Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
      • Type diskpart and press Enter.
    4. List the disks: In the Diskpart command prompt, type list disk to see all connected drives. Identify your USB drive by its size.
    5. Select the USB drive: Type select disk <number> (replace <number> with the disk number of your USB drive).
    6. Clean the USB drive: Type clean and press Enter. This will remove all partitions from the USB drive.
    7. Create a new partition: Type create partition primary and press Enter.
    8. Format the USB drive: Type format fs=fat32 quick and press Enter to format the drive to FAT32.
    9. Make the partition active: Type active and press Enter.
    10. Exit Diskpart: Type exit and press Enter to close Diskpart.
    11. Copy Windows files to USB: Use the MakeWinPEMedia command or simply copy the Windows installation files to the USB drive. For example, you can use:
    MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:\winpe_amd64 P:

    (Replace P: with your USB drive letter).

    1. Boot from USB: Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings to set the USB drive as the primary boot device. Save the changes and exit.

    After these steps, your laptop should boot from the USB drive, allowing you to install or repair Windows.

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  2. Lucus-V 7,905 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-31T07:36:00.02+00:00

    Hi Linda Oconnor,
    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. I'm happy to help.

    What is the type of startup disk you're trying to make?

    If you want to make a Windows bootable USB, what Windows version do you want?

    In the meantime, if you want to make Windows 11 bootable USB, please follow this instruction: Windows 11 Clean Installation Process.

    Making Windows 10 bootable USB is similar, with this link to download: Download Windows 10.

    If you want to make bootable USB for another Windows version, please let me know.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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