Share via

How to create a truly bootable USB off of windows ISO?

Anonymous
2021-08-04T22:25:56+00:00

First of all - how difficult to get support from Microsoft these days - incredible that there is no real time support available, with a phone line that directs to the website that directs here.

In any case - I've downloaded the Microsoft Windows 10 ISO, and tried about 10 times with different methodologies to create a bootable disk. I'm able to mount the ISO, but it never boots. I have a machine running linux and it always defaults back to linux when I choose the usb as a booting medium. I've formatted as FAT32, exFAT, I've formatted and mounted the USB disk on Linux and Mac both, sometimes using command line, sometimes using programs, such as balena Etcher (which incidentally warned that the iso downloaded from Microsoft was not a bootable image as it does not appear to contain a partition table). The data appears intact, and present though once burned to the usb.

Why is it always so difficult with MIcrosoft??? It brings back memories of just about every prior version of Windows.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-08-05T07:56:15+00:00

    Hi RyanMcGinn,

    I'm Dhinesh a Windows user.

    I would like to share how I go back to Windows from Linux.

    First, you need to download the ISO of Windows from Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

    You can download the ISO or the Media Creation Tool.

    If you download ISO, you need to make your USB bootable manually.

    You'll need to download a software which allow you to make your USB bootable. You can get it from here Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

    This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    Try to format as NTFS.

    IF YOU USE UEFI,CHOOSE GPT OPTION

    IF LEGACY, CHOOSE MBR

    You can boot it from boot device options on startup. (Mostly F9 key or you can press esc when on your pc)

    Select your USB.

    Done.

    Before you install it,clean your device partitions. You can follow this steps

    How to Fix Windows Cannot Be Installed on Drive (0) - Appuals.com

    This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    Keep updating us. Your feedback really important to us.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-04T22:30:01+00:00

    You have to use the Create Media Tool to download the iso file and burn it to a usb drive to boot to. Then boot to it and do a Custom Clean Install. Read all the directions here--

    Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-08-04T23:08:21+00:00

    Hi Ryan,

    My name is Igor, I have 12 Microsoft MVP awards. It's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll do all my best to help you. I'm sorry you have a problems.

    In fact creating Windows USB is extremely easy if one follows instructions at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

    If one does not want to use Windows computer for this purpose (I'm sure there are a lot of friends' or neighbours' PCs around), then sorry, this is not Microsoft problem.

    And one may buy a box Windows 10 version with a ready for use USB in the box.

    Both ways are easy. If some one want to use third party tools, this is, sorry again, its own problem.

    BTW, please look at https://itsfoss.com/bootable-windows-usb-linux/

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    Sorry if I upset you. But seems the best decision for you is to buy a box Windows 10 version.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments