How to Create a Bootable USB Drive with Rufus

Creating a bootable USB drive is one of the simplest and most effective ways to install an operating system. This guide will walk you through how to make a bootable USB using the free program Rufus, suitable for both Windows and Linux systems.

Step 1: Download and Install Rufus

First, download Rufus. Head to the official Rufus website and download the latest version of the program. Rufus is portable software, so there’s no need to install it; you can run it directly after downloading.

Step 2: Prepare Your USB Drive

Plug your USB drive into the computer. Note that all data on the drive will be erased, so make sure to back up any important files beforehand.

Step 3: Configure Settings in Rufus

• Device: Select your USB drive from the list of connected devices.
• Boot selection: Click "Select" and browse to the ISO file of the operating system you want to burn to the USB.
• Partition scheme: Choose “MBR” or “GPT” depending on your system type (generally MBR for BIOS and GPT for UEFI).
• File system: Leave it as “FAT32” or “NTFS” (FAT32 is recommended for better compatibility).
• Cluster size: Leave it at the default setting unless a different value is required.

Step 4: Start the Writing Process

Once you’ve configured all settings, click the “Start” button. Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be erased. Confirm this action by clicking “OK.”

Step 5: Wait for Completion

The writing process may take some time depending on the size of the ISO file and the speed of your USB drive. When it’s done, Rufus will notify you that the process is complete.

Step 6: Verify the Bootable USB Drive

After finishing, you can use the USB drive to install the operating system. Just connect it to the target computer, restart the device, and select the USB as the boot option in BIOS or UEFI.