Windows

Create a Windows 11 Installation USB

Create a bootable Windows 11 USB safely with Microsoft’s official Media Creation Tool.

LevelBeginnerTime15 minFormatStep by step

Official methodUses Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.

USB requirementA blank drive with at least 8 GB of space.

ImportantEverything already on the selected USB will be erased.

Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool is the simplest official way to download Windows 11 and turn a USB flash drive into bootable installation media.

Preparation

What you need

A working Windows PC

Use a computer with administrator access and a reliable internet connection.

A blank USB flash drive

It needs at least 8 GB. A 16 GB or larger drive is a practical choice.

Enough time

The download and creation process can take a while, depending on your connection and USB speed.

Your Windows license

A product key may be required, but many PCs reactivate automatically with a digital license.

Step 01

Download Microsoft’s tool

Open the official Windows 11 download pageGo to Microsoft’s software download website using the button below.

Find “Create Windows 11 Installation Media”Use this section—not Installation Assistant or the ISO download section.

Select “Download Now”The file MediaCreationTool.exe will be downloaded.

Open Microsoft’s download page ↗

Steps 02–08

Create the installation USB

Connect the blank USB driveOpen File Explorer and note its drive letter, name, and size so you can identify it later.

Run MediaCreationTool.exeSelect Yes if Windows asks whether the app may make changes to the device.

Accept Microsoft’s license termsWait while the tool prepares the setup screen.

Choose “Create installation media”Select the option for another PC, then continue.

Confirm language and editionThe recommended settings normally match the current PC. Change them only if the target PC needs something different.

Select “USB flash drive”Choose USB rather than ISO file, then select Next.

Select the correct removable driveCheck the drive letter and capacity carefully. The selected drive will be erased.

Wait for the process to finishThe tool downloads Windows, verifies the files, and makes the drive bootable. Keep the PC online and leave the USB connected.

Final check

Confirm that the USB is ready

Close the Media Creation ToolSelect Finish after it confirms that the USB flash drive is ready.

Open the USB in File ExplorerYou should see folders such as boot, efi, sources, and the file setup.exe.

Eject it safelyUse the Safely Remove Hardware option before disconnecting the drive.

Keep it labelledWrite “Windows 11 installer” and the creation date on the drive or its case.

Next step

Start a computer from the USB

Your installation drive is ready. Follow the companion guide to open the one-time boot menu and select the USB safely.

How to boot from the USB →

Troubleshooting

Something not working?

The USB is not listed

Reconnect it directly to the PC, avoid USB hubs, reopen the tool, and select Refresh drive list if available.

There is not enough space

Use a blank USB with at least 8 GB. If necessary, use a larger drive and restart the process.

The download fails

Check the internet connection, free some disk space on the PC, restart Windows, and run the tool again.

The wrong drive was selected

Stop immediately if possible. Anything already erased may be difficult or impossible to recover.

The target is an Arm-based PC

The standard Media Creation Tool creates x64 installation media. Download the official Windows 11 Arm64 ISO from Microsoft and follow the instructions for that device.

The PC rejects Windows 11

Check the processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, memory, and storage requirements before attempting installation.

Checked guidance

Official Microsoft sources

Microsoft can update the tool and wording over time, so individual screens may look slightly different.

✓

Your Windows 11 USB is ready.

Keep it somewhere safe for installation, recovery, or troubleshooting.

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