In the digital age, having a bootable pendrive can be a lifesaver. Whether you're installing a new operating system, rescuing a crashed system, or running diagnostic tools, a bootable pendrive is a versatile tool in any tech enthusiast's arsenal. In this guide, we'll explore various methods to create bootable pendrives, with a focus on using Rufus, a powerful and user-friendly tool.
Before we dive into the methods, let's ensure we're on the
same page regarding what a bootable pendrive is. Essentially, it's a USB drive
that contains an operating system or bootable software. When you plug it into a
computer and boot from it, you can access the contents without needing to
install anything on the computer's hard drive.
Method 1: Using
Rufus:
Rufus is a popular tool for creating bootable USB drives
from ISO images. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Download Rufus 📥
Click on Download you will be redirected to Rufus website and download the latest version of the software.
Step 2: Insert USB Drive 💻
Plug in your USB drive to your computer. Make sure to back up any important data, as the process will erase the contents of the drive.
Step 3: Open Rufus 🚀
Run the Rufus application. You might need administrator privileges, so be prepared to enter your password if prompted.
Step 4: Select USB Drive and ISO Image 📂
In Rufus, select your USB drive under the "Device" dropdown menu. Then, click on the "Select" button next to "Boot selection" and choose the ISO image file you want to make bootable.
Step 5: Configure Settings ⚙️
Rufus offers various options such as partition scheme, file system, and cluster size. Unless you have specific requirements, the default settings should suffice. However, make sure to double-check before proceeding.
Step 6: Start the Process 🚀
Once you've configured the settings, click on the "Start" button. Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Confirm and let Rufus do its magic.
Step 7: Wait for Completion ⏳
The time it takes to create the bootable pendrive depends on factors like the size of the ISO file and the speed of your USB drive. Once Rufus completes the process, you'll see a "READY" message.
Certainly! Here are the step-by-step instructions for the
alternative methods mentioned:
Alternative Method: Using Command Prompt
(Windows)
- Plug in your USB drive to your Windows computer.
Step 2: Open Command
Prompt as Administrator
- Type
"cmd" in the Windows search bar.
- Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator".
Step 3: Run DiskPart
Utility
- In Command Prompt, type "diskpart" and press Enter.
Step 4: List and
Select Disk
- Type "list
disk" and press Enter to view all disks connected to your computer.
- Identify your USB drive based on its size and type "select disk X" (replace X with the disk number of your USB drive).
Step 5: Clean the
Disk
- Type "clean" and press Enter to erase all data on the USB drive.
Step 6: Create a
Bootable Partition
- Type "create partition primary" and press Enter.
Step 7: Select the
Partition
- Type "select partition 1" and press Enter.
Step 8: Format the
Partition
- Type "format fs=fat32 quick" and press Enter to format the partition with the FAT32 file system.
Step 9: Set the
Partition Active
- Type
"active" and press Enter to set the partition as active.
Step 10: Exit
DiskPart
- Type
"exit" and press Enter to exit the DiskPart utility.
Step 11: Copy Files
- Copy all files from the ISO image or the extracted contents of the ISO to the USB drive
Other Alternative Methods:
- Using Disk Utility (Mac):
Mac users can use the Disk Utility application to create a bootable USB drive. This method is straightforward and doesn't require any additional software.
- Using UNetbootin:
UNetbootin is a cross-platform tool that allows users to create bootable live USB drives for various Linux distributions. It's an alternative to Rufus for Linux users or those who prefer a different interface.
