To install Windows 11 from a USB drive, we need to create a bootable USB drive. There are many tools available for this, but if we use Command Prompt (CMD), it proves to be a fast and reliable way. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide so that you can easily create a Windows 11 Bootable USB.

Things required to create Windows 11 Bootable USB

USB drive (at least 8GB storage) – has enough space to hold the Windows 11 installation files.

Windows 11 ISO file – Download from Microsoft’s official website.

Windows PC and Command Prompt

Step 1: Connect the USB drive to the computer

Insert the USB drive into your computer and make sure it appears in Disk Management.

Step 2: Open the Command Prompt in Administrator mode

Type cmd in Windows Search.

Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

Now a black screen will open where we have to type the commands.

Step 3: Format the USB drive using Diskpart

Now we have to format the USB drive properly using diskpart tool. For this use the following commands:

DISKPART

LIST DISK

The above LIST DISK command will show all the disks present in your system. Now you have to identify your USB drive (usually, it is Disk 1 or Disk 2).

SELECT DISK X # (replace X with the number of your USB drive)

CLEAN

CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

SELECT PARTITION 1

ACTIVE

FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK # If you are installing in UEFI mode, use FS=FAT32.

ASSIGN

EXIT

Note: FAT32 file system only supports files up to 4GB, if your Windows 11 ISO file is larger then use NTFS format.

Step 4: Mount the Windows 11 ISO file

Go to Windows Explorer and right-click on the Windows 11 ISO file.

Select the Mount option.

Now it will appear as a new drive letter (eg D:\ or E:).

Step 5: Copy ISO files to USB

Now we have to copy all the files of the Windows 11 ISO to the USB drive. For this use the following command:

XCOPY X:\*.* Y:\ /E /F /H

X: is the drive letter where the ISO file is mounted.

Y: this is the letter of your USB drive.

With this command, all the Windows 11 installation files will be copied to the USB drive.

Step 6: Make the USB drive bootable

Now we need to use the bootsect.exe command to create a bootable USB drive. This command adds the Master Boot Record (MBR) to the USB drive.

X:\boot\bootsect /nt60 Y:

X: is the ISO drive letter.

Y: is the letter of the USB drive.

Now your USB drive has been created as a Windows 11 bootable drive.

Step 7: Install Windows 11 from bootable USB

Plug the USB drive into your computer.
Open the BIOS or Boot Menu (usually by pressing the F2, F12, or Del key).
Select the USB drive as the primary boot device.
The Windows 11 installation process will begin.

Conclusion

Now you have successfully created a Windows 11 bootable USB using Command Prompt. This method works fast and does not require any additional software. This is the best way if you want to install Windows 11.

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