Create Bootable USB Drives with Rufus for Windows 7

How to use Rufus software for Windows 7

Rufus is a fast, reliable, and user-friendly tool for creating bootable USB drives. Here's how to use it to create a bootable USB installer for Windows 7:

1. Download and Run Rufus:

• Download the latest version of Rufus from the official website (rufus.ie). It's a small, portable application, so no installation is needed. Simply download and run the executable file.

2. Prepare Your USB Drive:

• Insert your USB drive: Plug in a USB flash drive with sufficient capacity (at least 4GB, but 8GB is recommended). Crucially, back up any data on the drive, as it will be completely erased.
• Identify your USB drive: Rufus will display all connected drives. Carefully select the correct USB drive from the dropdown menu labeled "DEVICE". Choosing the wrong drive can lead to data loss on your hard drive. Double-check this step!

3. Select the Windows 7 ISO Image:

• Locate your Windows 7 ISO file: Click the "SELECT" button next to "BOOT SELECTION" to browse your computer and select the Windows 7 ISO image file. Make sure you have a legally obtained ISO file.

4. Choose the Correct Partition Scheme and Target System:

• Partition scheme: This is crucial.

  • For most modern computers with UEFI firmware, select "GPT" partition scheme.
  • For older computers with BIOS/Legacy firmware, select "MBR" partition scheme. If you're unsure, check your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings (usually accessible by pressing Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc during startup – the key varies depending on the motherboard).

• Target system:

  • For UEFI systems, select "UEFI (non CSM)".
  • For BIOS/Legacy systems, select "BIOS (or Legacy)".

5. (Optional) Advanced Settings:

• Volume label: You can optionally give your bootable USB drive a descriptive name.
• File system: Generally, leave this as "NTFS" unless you have a specific reason to choose FAT32 (which is sometimes required for very old systems). NTFS is generally recommended.
• Cluster size: Unless you have a specific reason, leave this at the default setting.
• Quick format: Check this box to speed up the process. However, this might not completely erase all data from your USB drive.
• Create a bootable disk using: This is automatically selected based on your ISO and should be left as is.
• Create extended label and icon files: Leave this unchecked unless you have a specific need for it.

6. Start the Process:

• Click "START": Once you've verified all settings are correct, click the "START" button. Rufus will begin formatting your USB drive and copying the Windows 7 installation files. This process can take several minutes, depending on the size of the ISO file and the speed of your USB drive.

7. Verify and Use Your Bootable USB:

• Verification: After the process is complete, Rufus will inform you that the bootable drive has been created successfully.
• Boot from your USB: Restart your computer. Enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (as described in step 4) and change the boot order to prioritize booting from your USB drive. The exact steps for changing the boot order vary depending on the BIOS/UEFI. Consult your motherboard's documentation or search online for instructions specific to your motherboard model.

Important Considerations:

• Data Loss: Formatting the USB drive will erase all data. Always back up any important files before proceeding.
• BIOS/UEFI Settings: Understanding your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings is critical for successfully booting from the USB drive.
• Windows 7 License: You will need a valid Windows 7 product key to activate the operating system after installation. Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft, so obtaining a valid key might be challenging.

By following these steps carefully, you can use Rufus to create a bootable Windows 7 USB drive quickly and reliably. Remember to double-check your settings before starting the process to avoid data loss.

The best alternative of Rufus: AOMEI Partition Assistant

AOMEI Partition Assistant is the best freeware for managing disks is also really the best Rufus and Etcher Windows to Go free alternative. It breaks many limitations of the Windows built-in utility "Disk Management". To create Windows to USB flash drives, it provides you with a utility Windows To Go Creator. Apart from formatting and creating Win2GO USB drives, this integrated utility offers a wide range of disk-related features, which means that users can perform various disk operations in one package. For example, you can migrate OS to SSD to improve performance, move installed applications to another drive to expand drive space, recover lost data, and much more.

Windows To Go Creator is more flexible than Rufus or Microsoft Windows To Go. You don't need to worry about the computer's edition—even if it's not Windows 7—or the USB's certification—even if it's an old USB drive. Some preparation is required first.

• Prepare a Windows 7 ISO or ESD file. Remember where it is located.
• Prepare a USB drive with 3.0 port. USB 2.0 port is also OK but it won’t perform as good as USB 3.0 port. AOMEI Partition Assistant requires the USB drive is at least 13 GB.

Step 1. Insert the USB in and wait for your computer to detect it. If it failed, you can check the solutions here.

Step 2. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. On the top toolbar, click "Tools" > "Windows To Go Creator".

Step 3. Choose “Create Windows To Go” for personal computer and click “Next”.

Step 4. Choose the suitable option "Create Windows To Go with system disc/ISO" or “Create Windows To Go with the current system”. If Windows 11 ISO file isn’t detected automatically, click the folder icon to select it manually. Then, click “Next”.

Step 5. Select a USB drive as a target and click “Proceed”

Step 6. You’ll receive the message that all data on this USB drive will be erased. Click “Yes” to continue.

After that, you can disconnect the USB, and try to boot it on another PC.

Note: If you choose “Create Windows To Go with the current system”, there will be 2 more steps after steps 3 and 4.

1. After you choose the creating way, you’ll see the current system info.

2. After you select a USB, the program will restart into the Windows PE environment to create Windows To Go. Wait until the progress reaches 100%.

Apart from these, the AOMEI software also provides many other useful and practical functions for effective computer management:

1. Partition Management: AOMEI Partition Assistant enables you to resize, move, merge, and delete partitions with ease. You can also convert partition types, align partitions like 4K Alignment for SSD to enhance system performance, and create new partitions without losing data.

1. Disk Partitioning: The software allows you to create, delete, and format partitions, as well as convert between MBR and GPT partition styles, which is particularly useful for newer UEFI-based systems.

2. Disk Cloning: If you are planning to upgrade to a better disk, you can also use it to clone your entire disk or a designated partition. With it, you can quickly transfer the data to the new disk without reinstalling Windows or applications.

3. Disk Cleanup and Drive Space Expansion: The software can even help you clean up accumulated and hidden junk files, including temporary files, cache, and system restoration points, freeing up storage space on your computer.

Conclusion

Rufus is a fast, reliable, and user-friendly tool for creating bootable USB drives, making it an excellent choice for preparing a Windows 7 installation drive. If you need additional features or an alternative to Rufus, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers a comprehensive suite of tools for disk management, including the ability to create Windows To Go drives. This software provides advanced options for partition management, disk cloning, and system optimization, making it a versatile tool for managing your computer's storage needs.

By using Rufus or AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free process for creating bootable USB drives and managing your computer's storage.

FAQs

1. What are the minimum system requirements for using Rufus to create a Windows 7 bootable USB? Rufus itself has minimal system requirements; it's a lightweight portable application. However, the target computer's hardware capabilities will influence the success of installing Windows 7. You need a computer with sufficient RAM and a suitable processor to install and run Windows 7.

2. What happens if I select the wrong USB drive in Rufus? Selecting the wrong drive in Rufus will lead to the complete erasure of data on that drive. Double-check the selected drive before starting the process to prevent accidental data loss on your hard drive.

3. What's the difference between MBR and GPT partition schemes, and how do I know which one to choose? MBR (Master Boot Record) is an older partitioning scheme, while GPT (GUID Partition Table) is newer and supports larger disk sizes and UEFI boot. Check your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings to determine the appropriate scheme. Modern UEFI systems generally require GPT. Older BIOS systems use MBR.

4. My computer won't boot from the USB drive I created with Rufus. What should I do? Ensure the USB drive is correctly created and the BIOS/UEFI settings are configured to boot from the USB drive. Check the boot order in your system's BIOS/UEFI settings. Also, verify that you selected the correct partition scheme (MBR or GPT) and target system (BIOS or UEFI) in Rufus to match your computer's configuration.

5. Is there an alternative to Rufus for creating a Windows 7 bootable USB? Yes, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers a "Windows To Go Creator" which provides a similar functionality, along with other disk management features. However, it is significantly more complex than Rufus. Other tools like UNetbootin or WinSetupFromUSB can also create bootable USB drives but often come with their own complexities. Rufus remains one of the simplest and most reliable options for creating bootable USB drives.