Resolve the "Windows (11/10/8/7) Won't Boot From USB" Error

Windows 11/10/8/7 Won't Boot from USB, Help!

Aren't you able to boot from a Windows 10 bootable USB drive? Are you attempting to boot your computer from a bootable USB drive on Windows 10, 8, or 7, but the system isn't letting you proceed?

Below, you'll find two reliable methods to fix the Windows won't boot from USB error, and you can follow either one to achieve your goal and get Windows to boot from a USB drive now.

Method 1: Manually Resolve the "Windows Won't Boot from USB" Error

When your computer fails to boot from the USB, don't worry. Sometimes it's due to incorrect boot settings. Follow these steps to resolve the issue: 1. **Recheck USB Connection**: Ensure that the USB drive is correctly inserted into the USB port. Try another port or another computer to confirm if the drive is functioning. 2. **Boot Sequence Settings**: Access your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings by restarting and pressing the designated key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del) during startup. Look for the "Boot" or "Startup" menu, then change the boot order to prioritize USB devices. 3. **Enable USB Boot**: In the BIOS/UEFI, ensure that the 'USB Boot' or 'Legacy USB Support' option is enabled. This allows your computer to recognize and boot from the USB drive. 4. **Create a Bootable USB**: Verify that you have created a bootable USB using software like Rufus or Windows Media Creation Tool. Incorrectly formatted USBs may not be recognized. 5. **Secure Boot vs. Legacy Boot**: If your computer has Secure Boot enabled, you might need to disable it temporarily to allow booting from a USB in Legacy mode. Remember to re-enable Secure Boot after you're done. 6. **Update BIOS**: If the above steps don't work, consider updating your computer's BIOS to the latest version, as older BIOS versions might not support USB booting. 7. **Contact Support**: If all else fails, consult your computer's manufacturer or a technical expert for assistance. They may be able to diagnose a more specific hardware or software issue. Remember to save changes and exit the BIOS setup after making adjustments, and always be cautious when altering system settings.

Step 1: Verify if the USB drive is bootable

If the bootable USB drive isn't created correctly or the USB drive is damaged, you won't be able to install Windows using it. Firstly, ensure that the USB drive is bootable. On Windows computers, you can verify this using Disk Management or the Command Prompt. We'll demonstrate the method with Disk Management.

1. Insert your USB drive into a computer.

2. Right-click the Windows icon and select Disk Management.

3. Right-click the formatted drive and select Properties.

4. In the pop-up window, navigate to the Volumes tab. Here, you can verify the partition style of your bootable USB drive. Additionally, the removable media with the bootable ISO will display a status like "no volume" or a very small volume (just a few MB).

Another alternative is to reformat your USB drive and create a Windows Installation Media again. However, this process can be time-consuming. If you're confident that you've correctly created the bootable USB drive, you can simply check its status in Disk Management.

Step 2: Ensure your computer supports booting from USB.

Some computers are too old to support booting from a USB drive. You can enter BIOS to check if your computer has the option to boot from USB. Here are the detailed steps: 1. **Reboot your computer**: Turn off your computer and then turn it back on. As it starts up, pay attention to the manufacturer's logo that appears on the screen. This is usually when you need to take action to enter BIOS. 2. **Access BIOS**: To enter BIOS, you typically need to press a specific key repeatedly during the startup process. Common keys include F2, F10, F12, DELETE, or ESC, but it may vary depending on the computer brand. Check your computer's manual or look for on-screen instructions for the correct key. 3. **Navigate in BIOS**: Once you're in BIOS, use the arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) to navigate through the menus. Look for a section called "Boot" or "Boot Options." 4. **Find USB Boot Option**: In the "Boot" section, search for an option like "Boot Order," "Boot Priority," or "Startup Sequence." This is where you can set the order in which your computer attempts to boot from different devices. 5. **Move USB to Top**: If your computer detects the USB drive, it should be listed as one of the boot options, such as "USB Drive" or "Removable Devices." Use the arrow keys to highlight the USB entry and then press the key to move it to the top of the list. This ensures your computer will attempt to boot from the USB drive first. 6. **Save and Exit**: After making the changes, navigate to the "Exit" menu and select "Save Changes and Exit" or "Exit Saving Changes." Confirm any prompts to apply the new settings and restart your computer. 7. **Boot from USB**: Your computer should now boot from the USB drive. If it doesn't, double-check your steps or ensure that the USB drive is properly inserted and formatted with the appropriate bootable content. Remember that BIOS settings can vary between different computer models, so consult your user manual if you encounter any difficulties.

1. Enter the BIOS, navigate to the Boot Options menu, and examine the Boot Priority settings.
2. If you find the USB boot option within Boot Priority, it indicates that your computer is capable of booting from a USB device.
If the USB option is not visible, it suggests that your computer's motherboard does not support booting from this type of device.

Step 3: Configure your Computer/PC to boot from the USB drive

Another reason you were unable to boot from a USB drive is that you didn't alter the boot order. By default, computers typically boot from the internal disk. You need to prioritize the bootable USB drive in the boot sequence settings.

1. Restart your PC and press F2 (or DEL, F10...) while booting Windows to enter BIOS. 2. Locate the Boot Options, and set USB-HDD as the first boot device.

3. Then confirm and save all changes to allow Windows to boot from USB.

Step 4: Enable Booting from a Non-UEFI Device

You need to modify the boot settings to allow booting from non-UEFI devices.

1. Follow the method in Step 3 to enter the BIOS setup.

2. Look for an option called Compatibility Support Module (CSM) or something similar. This option might be hidden until you disable Secure Boot.

3. Once you enable the CSM module and set it to boot from EFI + Legacy boot devices, you should not encounter any issues booting from your USB device.

Method 2: Create a Portable Windows USB Drive

Aside from creating a bootable USB drive, you might consider an innovative approach: creating a portable Windows USB. A portable USB drive involves cloning a computer's system drive, allowing you to carry it with you and use your operating system on any device. For instance, if you need to work from home, you can create a portable USB drive for your office computer. When you insert this portable USB into your home computer and boot from it, you'll have access to all the installed programs and files on your office computer's system drive right from your home. One tool that can assist you in this process is OS2Go utility.

Follow along to learn how to make Windows boot from USB now:

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

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

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.

Step 4. Then, OS2Go will 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 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: Please ensure that the boot mode (either UEFI or Legacy) of the portable USB and the target computer are identical, or else you may not be able to boot.