Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Windows 11 24H2 Bootable USB Installation Media

Key Notes

• A bootable USB is essential for clean installations of Windows 11 24H2.
• Tools like Rufus, Ventoy, and the Media Creation Tool enhance the setup process.
• Ensure your USB drive is at least 8GB and backup any critical data, as all files will be erased.

Creating a Bootable USB for the Windows 11 24H2 Installation: A Comprehensive Guide

Many users are looking to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2, and having a bootable USB drive is crucial for achieving this. This guide will take you through the process of creating such a USB drive using various methods.

Step-by-Step Methods to Create a Bootable USB

Step 1: Generate Windows 11 24H2 Bootable USB with Rufus

To prepare a bootable USB for installing Windows 11 24H2 using Rufus, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Rufus website.

2. Download the latest version from the “Download” section.

3. Double-click the Rufus executable file to initiate the tool.

4. Click the Settings button located at the bottom left of the interface.

5. Select the Daily option for “Check for updates” in the “Settings” section.

6. Click Close.

7. Relaunch Rufus for updated settings.

8. Choose the USB flash drive from the “Device” section, if needed.

9. Select the “Disk or ISO image” option from the “Boot selection” dropdown.

10. Click the down-arrow button next to it and select the Download option.

11. Click the Download button.

12. Select the Windows 11 option.

13. Press the Continue button.

14. Select the “24H2” option for the 2024 Update.

15. Click Continue.

16. Choose the Windows edition: Home/Pro/Edu.

17. Click Continue.

18. Select your preferred language for installation.

19. Press Continue.

20. Select the x64 architecture option.

21. Click the Download button.

22. Choose a location to save the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file.

23. Opt for the “Standard Windows 11 Installation” option for the “Image option” setting.

24. (Optional) Name your drive (e.g., Windows 11 24H2 Setup) under “Volume label.”

25. Hit the Start button.

26. Uncheck all options on the “Windows User Experience” page for a configuration without modifications.

27. Click OK.

Upon completing these steps, Rufus will start creating the bootable media for Windows 11 24H2 installation. This method supports both regular and unsupported devices for a clean installation.

Step 2: Generate Windows 11 24H2 Bootable USB with Ventoy

To set up a bootable USB using Ventoy, follow these steps:

1. Download the ventoy-x.x.xx-windows.zip file from the “Assets” section.

2. Launch File Explorer and access the Zip folder.

3. Double-click the ventoy-x.x.xx-windows.zip file to open it.

4. Click the Extract all option in the command bar.

5. Click the Browse button to choose a destination for the extracted files.

6. Click the Select Folder button.

7. Hit the Extract button.

8. Navigate to the ventoy-x.x.xx folder.

9. Double-click Ventoy2Disk.exe to run the installer.

10. Select your USB flash drive in the “Device” setting.

11. Hit the Install button to set up Ventoy.

12. Confirm by clicking the OK button.

13. Open the Ventoy drive and transfer the Windows 11 24H2 ISO files to the drive to make them bootable.

After these steps, your USB flash drive will be ready to boot a device via Ventoy, allowing you to select the Windows 11 24H2 ISO for installation.

Step 3: Generate Windows 11 24H2 Bootable USB with Command Prompt

For creating a bootable USB using the Command Prompt, follow these actions:

1. Access the Microsoft Support website.

2. Select your desired installation language and press the Confirm button.

3. Click the 64-bit Download button to save the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file.

4. Open the Start menu and search for Command Prompt as an Administrator.

5. Type diskpart and press Enter.

6. Enter list disk to display available disks.

7. Execute clean to remove data from the USB.

8. Type create partition primary and press Enter.

9. Select the partition with select partition 1.

10. Format the USB drive with format FS=FAT32 quick.

11. Assign the drive letter with assign letter=X, replacing X as needed.

12. Exit Diskpart by typing exit.

13. Use PowerShell to mount the ISO file: PowerShell Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath "C:pathtoWindows11-24H2.iso".

14. Restart Diskpart with diskpart and identify the mounted ISO drive letter using list volume.

15. Quit Diskpart with exit.

16. Copy installation files with xcopy E:*.* X: /E /F /H, adjusting drive letters.

Once completed, your USB will be ready for a fresh Windows 11 24H2 installation.

Step 4: Generate Windows 11 24H2 Bootable USB with Media Creation Tool

To create a bootable USB for Windows 11 24H2 using the Media Creation Tool, follow these steps:

1. Visit Microsoft support site.

2. Click on the Download Now button in the “Create Windows 11 installation media” section.

3. Open the mediacreationtool.exe file.

4. Press the Accept button.

5. Select the “USB flash drive” option.

6. Choose the USB flash drive from the provided list.

7. Hit the Finish button.

After these steps, your USB drive will be ready to boot and install Windows 11 24H2.

Summary

Creating a bootable USB for Windows 11 24H2 can be accomplished through various methods like Rufus, Ventoy, Command Prompt, and the Media Creation Tool. Each method has specific steps and considerations to ensure a successful installation process.

Conclusion

Equipped with the knowledge of multiple techniques to create a bootable USB, you can now confidently install or upgrade to Windows 11 24H2. Ensure you follow the steps accurately and prepare your USB drive by backing up necessary data, as the process will format it.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)