Complete Guide to Creating a Bootable USB Drive for Windows 11 24H2 Using Rufus

Key Notes

  • Rufus offers flexibility by allowing ISO file usage or direct downloads from Microsoft servers.
  • You can create installation media for both supported and unsupported Windows 11 installations.
  • Make sure the flash drive has at least 8GB of storage to accommodate the installation files.

Effortlessly Create a Bootable USB for Windows 11 24H2 with Rufus

This guide offers a comprehensive approach for using Rufus to create a bootable USB flash drive for installing Windows 11 24H2, catering to both supported and unsupported systems.

Detailed Instructions for Creating a Bootable USB Drive

Step 1: Prepare a Bootable USB for Supported Devices

To make a USB drive bootable for Windows 11 24H2, connect a USB flash drive (minimum 8GB) and proceed with the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the Rufus website.

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

  3. Launch Rufus by double-clicking the executable file.

  4. Click the Settings button at the bottom of the window.

  5. In the Settings menu, set the “Check for updates” option to Daily.

  6. Close the Settings window.

  7. Restart Rufus to apply the settings.

  8. Select your USB drive from the “Device” dropdown menu.

  9. In the “Boot selection” section, choose Disk or ISO image.

  10. Click the down-arrow and select Download to fetch the Windows 11 ISO.

  11. Press the Download button.

  12. Select Windows 11 from the dropdown options.

  13. Click Continue.

  14. Choose 24H2 for the version of Windows 11 to download.

  15. Click Continue.

  16. Select your preferred edition: Home/Pro/Edu.

  17. Click Continue.

  18. Choose your installation language.

  19. Click Continue.

  20. Select the x64 architecture option.

  21. Click Download to obtain the ISO file.

  22. Choose a destination to save the downloaded ISO file.

  23. Select Standard Windows 11 Installation in the “Image option” section.

  24. (Optional) Name the drive (e.g., Windows 11 24H2 Setup ) in the “Volume label” field.

  25. Click the Start button to begin creating the bootable USB.

  26. Deselect all options in the “Windows User Experience” section for a clean installation media.

  27. Press OK to confirm and start the process.

Following these steps, your bootable USB will be prepared for installing Windows 11 on a supported device.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB for Unsupported Devices

Rufus is also capable of generating bootable media that bypasses the TPM, Secure Boot, and RAM requirements essential for installing Windows on unsupported hardware. Ensure your computer meets the minimum processor requirements for installation.

To create a Windows 11 24H2 bootable USB for incompatible systems, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Rufus website.

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

  3. Run Rufus by double-clicking on the executable file.

  4. Select your USB drive from the “Device” section.

  5. Choose Disk or ISO image in the “Boot selection” section.

  6. Click the Select button to choose your Windows 11 24H2 ISO file.

  7. Confirm by clicking Open.

  8. Choose Standard Windows 11 Installation as your “Image option”.

  9. Select GPT for the “Partition scheme”.

  10. Select UEFI (non-CSM) in the “Target system” section.

  11. (Optional) Name your USB drive in the “Volume label” field for easy identification.

  12. Keep default settings for File system and Cluster size.

  13. Select the Quick format option to speed up the process.

  14. Enable Create extended label and icon files for the USB.

  15. Click the Start button to begin.

  16. Check the Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 option for bypassing installation restrictions.

  17. (Optional) Opt to Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account for local account installation.

  18. (Optional) Specify a username for a local account installation.

  19. (Optional) Adjust regional options as needed in the installation.

  20. (Optional) Enable or disable data collection settings according to your preferences.

  21. (Optional) Select the option to Disable BitLocker automatic device encryption.

  22. Click OK to proceed.

After following these steps, you will have a bootable USB capable of installing Windows 11 version 24H2 on unsupported hardware.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Installation

  • Always back up your data before proceeding with OS installations.
  • Ensure your USB flash drive is formatted correctly to avoid installation errors.
  • Refer to official resources for the latest updates on hardware compatibility.

Summary

In this guide, we demonstrated how to create a bootable USB for Windows 11 24H2 using Rufus, both for supported and unsupported systems. With clear steps and troubleshooting tips, you are now prepared to start your installation effortlessly.

Conclusion

Following these instructions will help you utilize Rufus effectively to create a bootable media. Don’t hesitate to explore additional options if your hardware poses challenges, and enjoy the new features that Windows 11 has to offer.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is Rufus and how does it help in creating a bootable USB?

Rufus is a utility that enables users to format and create bootable USB flash drives. It supports various operating systems and allows customization for different installation environments.

Can I use Rufus with any USB flash drive?

Yes, as long as the USB flash drive has sufficient space (at least 8GB), Rufus can format and create bootable media from it.

Does creating a bootable USB erase all data on the USB drive?

Yes, formatting the USB drive to create a bootable drive will erase all existing data on it, so be sure to back up any important information before proceeding.