How to Use Rufus to Install Windows 11

About Rufus

Rufus is a popular and widely used Windows computer tool. Its main purpose is to enable users to create a runable USB drive to install or run an operating system on a computer, or to allow you to format and create an installed USB driver. It is very useful when you want to install an OS on a PC that doesn't have a CD/DVD drive, or if you need to finish the installation quickly and efficiently. In addition, RUFUS Windows To Go also helps you when running on an uninstalled operating systems or flashing BIOS or other software from DOS.

Many found Rufus to be useful, including those managing running computer systems, IT specialists, and ordinary people using computers at home, they often have to set up their operating systems or fix their computer problems, and it makes this process easier. However, there is also a better free software than AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard, which is the perfect choice for RUFUS because of its powerful features over formatting and creating USB flash drives that can be installed. And, the best alternative will not bring error like Rufus Windows To Go missing problem.

How to make a Rufus Windows 11 Bootable USB

Here we will display the method for creating Rufus Windows 11 bootable USB.

Step 1. First, you need to connect a suitable USB flash drive to your computer and then download Rufus. Then, launch the application to access the main interface.

Step 2. Prepare your Windows 11 ISO file and choose the choose USB flash drive as the destination.

Step 2. Choose NTFS as the file system and figure out the partition scheme and target system type. Pick out your ISO file by clicking the "Browse" button.

Step 3. Select the Windows To Go option. Click "Start", then confirm with "Yes".

Step 4.Finally click the “Download” > "OK" icon.

Note: If you intend to use the Windows To Go drive with an MBR partition scheme, choose "MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI computer." Select "GPT partition scheme for UEFI" only if you are certain it is the appropriate choice.

The best Rufus Windows To Go free alternative

AOMEI Partition Assistant is the best freeware for managing disks is also really the best Rufus 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 W2G 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.

Using Windows To Go Creator is more flexible than Microsoft’s Windows To Go or Rufus. You do not need to worry about what the edition the computer is, because even it isn’t Windows 8/10 enterprise, you can still do it, and you do not need to worry about whether the USB is or isn’t Microsoft-certified, because even it is an old USB drive, you can use it. Before you do, there are somethings you need to prepare.

• Prepare a Windows 10 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%.

Conclusion

In summary, Rufus is a highly valuable tool for creating bootable USB drives, making it indispensable for installing or running operating systems, particularly on PCs lacking CD/DVD drives. While Rufus excels in ease of use and reliability, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers a compelling alternative with its robust features and flexibility, especially for creating Windows To Go drives. Both tools have their unique strengths, and choosing between them depends on your specific needs and preferences.

FAQs

1. What is Rufus used for? Rufus is used to create bootable USB drives for installing or running operating systems and for formatting and creating installable USB drives.

2. Can Rufus be used to create a Windows 11 bootable USB? Yes, Rufus can create a Windows 11 bootable USB by following a few straightforward steps involving the Windows 11 ISO file and a suitable USB drive.

3. What is Windows To Go? Windows To Go is a feature that allows you to run a full version of Windows from a USB drive, useful for portable operating system setups.

4. What are the advantages of using AOMEI Partition Assistant over Rufus? AOMEI Partition Assistant offers additional features like OS migration, application movement, and data recovery, making it a more comprehensive disk management tool.

5. Is it necessary to use a Microsoft-certified USB drive for Windows To Go? No, with AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can use any USB drive, including non-Microsoft-certified ones, to create a Windows To Go setup.