Create a Bootable USB Without Any Software Using Command Prompt

Translation into English:

A bootable USB drive contains all the necessary system booting data and files, allowing it to start up and run an operating system on a computer, even when system files are corrupted, there are fatal hardware issues, black or blue screen crashes, or any number of unforeseen reasons that prevent a PC from starting up normally. We know there are dozens of specialized USB bootable creation tools available online that make it easier for users to create bootable media. However, knowing how to use the Diskpart command for the same purpose is still very useful.

Guide: Format and create a bootable USB drive using CMD

Choose an alternative solution to Step 1 when you want to format a hard drive more quickly using third-party free hard drive formatting software.

Step 1. Format the USB drive

1. In Windows 10, 8, or 7, press 'Windows + R' keys together to open the Run Dialog box, type in "cmd", and hit Enter.

Or, just navigate to Start – All Programs – Accessories; right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

2. In Command Prompt, type Diskpart and press Enter.

3. Type list disk. This will display all connected drives, including the prepared USB hard drive, along with additional information like the disk number and size.

4. Next, type select disk #. Replace the "#" with the number corresponding to your USB hard drive. For instance, if mine is disk 1, I would type `select disk 1`.

5. Enter the following commands individually, pressing Enter after each command.

1. clean
2. create partition primary
3. select partition 1
4. active
5. format fs=ntfs
   (this means you format the drive with the NTFS file system)
6. assign
7. exit

Step 2. Copy files from a DVD to the USB drive

1. Insert a DVD containing the data you want to copy to create a bootable USB drive. Assume the DVD drive letter is E:.

2. Open Command Prompt in the same manner, type the following commands individually, and press Enter after each one.

1. E:
2. cd boot
3. bootsect /nt60 g:
   (G: is your USB drive)
4. copy e:\*.* /s/e/f g:

Alternatively, you can attempt simpler methods outlined as follows:

How to Create a Windows XP Bootable USB | Complete Guide

This tutorial will teach you two efficient methods for creating a Windows XP bootable USB drive.

Additionally, you can manually copy the entire content of the operating system from an ISO image onto the USB drive. To achieve this, follow these steps: 1. Open the 'My Computer' (or 'This PC') window. 2. Right-click on the DVD drive where you have mounted the ISO image, and select 'Open' to view its contents. 3. Copy all the files and folders present on the DVD to your USB drive. Congratulations! You have successfully created a bootable USB drive without using any software.

Conclusion: Think a Little More

That's the general process to create a bootable USB hard drive using the Command Prompt. Apparently, this method is more advanced and suited for experienced users. But what about the majority who have limited knowledge of CMD? Can they navigate through the lengthy steps without errors?

One software we'd like to recommend is OS2Go tools. It is designed to enable users to create a portable Windows USB drive, supporting Windows XP up to the latest Windows 11. With just a few clicks, you can transfer your operating system onto a small USB stick and use it on any device you desire. This allows you to utilize it on a Mac computer, enabling you to play Windows games on a Mac.

Unique benefits refer to the distinct advantages or perks that a product, service, or situation offers, which set it apart from others and provide a special value to the user. These could include exclusive features, superior quality, exceptional convenience, competitive pricing, or tailored experiences that cannot be found elsewhere.

• Skip the laborious process of formatting the USB hard drive and copying the Windows installation.
• Install the customized Windows OS that you're currently using onto the USB drive.
• Boot the Windows OS from the drive on any computer.

Step 1. Install the OS2Go tool on your Windows computer, which will show 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 action will erase all data on your drive. Make sure you've backed up all important data. Click Continue to proceed.

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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. Check the option provided if you're using a Solid State Drive as the Windows boot drive. Then, click Proceed.

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Step 4. OS2Go will then begin creating the portable USB drive. This process may take some time, depending on your operating system and network conditions. Once the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive will 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 (either UEFI or Legacy) of the portable USB and the target computer are identical, or else booting may not be possible.

FAQ on How to Create a Bootable USB Without Using Any Software

How do I create a bootable USB drive manually?

1. Download the ISO file for the operating system you wish to install. 2. Connect a USB drive to your computer and format it as FAT32. 3. Open the ISO file using 7-Zip, then extract its contents to the USB drive. 4. Configure your BIOS to prioritize booting from USB as the first option. 5. Restart your computer; it should now boot from the USB drive.

How do I create a bootable USB from the installation media?

1. Boot from the Windows installation media. 2. On the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, select the custom installation option and choose your USB drive as the destination. 3. Proceed with the installation process, and Windows will automatically format and make the USB drive bootable.