Bootable USB Drive Not Detected or Recognized in Windows 11/10/8/7

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The general steps to install the Windows operating system on a USB flash drive are as follows:

1. First, create a bootable USB flash drive. 2. Second, download the Windows image onto the bootable USB drive. 3. Third, access the BIOS settings, set the USB as the boot priority, and select to boot from USB.

But here comes the problem, you took the right steps and entered the BIOS environment successfully, only to find that the bootable USB drive isn't showing up! Why doesn't the BIOS recognize or detect the bootable USB flash drive then?

Why Doesn't the Bootable USB Drive Appear in BIOS?

Here, we present various approaches to address the issue of a non-functional bootable USB drive, which seems to be elusive. Perhaps you've tried reconnecting the USB installation media multiple times, yet the computer still fails to recognize it. The solutions are provided below.

1. USB Connection Problems Caused by Loose or Damaged USB Port

Solution - Attempt to connect the USB drive to every available USB port on both a desktop or laptop computer. If needed, use another functioning computer to further test the drive, repeating this process until you can rule out the possibility of a faulty port as the issue.

2. Incorrect BIOS Configuration

Solution - You must configure the boot order sequence in the BIOS settings so that your computer can autonomously decide which physical device to boot from. To ensure the BIOS correctly detects your USB drive and selects it to boot the computer, set the USB as the top priority in the boot sequence.

"To make a bootable USB appear in BIOS, attempt to set the boot order:"

• Depending on the BIOS manufacturer, press and hold ESC, F1, F2, F8, or F10 during the initial startup screen; a menu should appear.
• Choose to enter the BIOS setup and select the BOOT tab. The system devices will be listed in order of priority.
• To give a USB device priority over the hard drive in the boot sequence, attempt to move the hard drive device to the top of the boot sequence list. Expand the hard drive device to view all hard drives, then move the USB device to the top of the hard drive list.
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup utility.

Aside from the standard BIOS configurations, some experienced users recommend disabling Safe Boot and altering the Boot Mode to "CSM" or "Legacy" instead of "UEFI." Therefore, you might consider following this suggestion as well!

3. Creating a Bootable USB Flash Drive Failed

Solution - Have you verified if your USB is truly bootable? Some individuals do not see their USB drive listed in the BIOS boot menu simply because the "bootable" USB they created is not actually bootable! This can often occur when using the command prompt to create a bootable USB without any software.

To address the issue of a bootable USB drive not showing up or being recognized in the BIOS boot menu in Windows 10/8.1/8/7, you can utilize a USB bootable software. For instance, tools like OS2Go provide a feature to clone, install, and run the Windows OS on a USB drive, ensuring 100% bootability on any other computer. This means that by using this excellent Windows To Go creation tool to create a new bootable USB drive from the beginning, you can effortlessly repair a bootable USB flash drive that is not appearing, detected, readable, or recognized!

Step 1. Install OS2Go on your Windows computer, which will display the used space on your system drive. Insert a USB drive with a capacity larger than the used space on the system drive. Select the target USB drive and click Next to proceed.

Step 2. OS2Go will warn you that the following operation will erase all data on your drive. Make sure you've backed up all important data. Click Continue to proceed.

Next up, just translate this sentence into American English:

Step 3. Adjust disk layout. The default disk layout on the target drive will be identical to the source drive. You can also customize the layout to suit your requirements. If you're using a Solid State Drive as the Windows boot drive, check the corresponding option. Afterwards, click Proceed.

Step 4. OS2Go will then begin creating the portable USB drive. This process may take a while, depending on your operating system and network conditions. Once the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive should be bootable.

Step 5. Insert the portable Windows USB and start your computer. Press the necessary key (F2, DEL, F10...) to access BIOS. Select to boot from the USB drive.

Note: Ensure that the boot mode (UEFI or Legacy) of the portable USB and your target computer are identical, or else you may not be able to boot.

FAQ on Bootable USB Drive Not Showing Up

1. Why isn't my bootable USB drive appearing?

As mentioned in the post, the bootable USB not appearing could be due to a USB connection issue stemming from a loose or damaged port. It could also be because of incorrect BIOS settings.

2. Why doesn't my flash drive appear when I connect it?

The flash drive not being recognized when connected could be an issue with the USB connection, which might result from a loose or damaged USB port. Another possibility is that the files on the flash drive are corrupted.