Last Updated on April 19, 2024

When your Dell computer fails to work or malfunctions, one of the options is to boot from USB. Unlike a regular boot from the local hard drive, Dell USB boot can resolve irreparable errors and get you back into your computer. Like most people, you may wonder how to boot Dell from USB in Windows 11/10.

In this article, the tool will help you to cope with this task. The steps that we will describe are very detailed and easy to follow. You will also learn how to conveniently burn a Windows ISO file to a USB drive using a third-party tool before starting the computer boot process.

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⏱️Duration 5-7 minutes (Step-by-step guide)
?", Boot Dell Laptop/XPS from USB on Windows 11/10/8/7
⛏️Tools

✔️USB Drive

✔️Windows ISO file

✔️Dell Laptop or Desktop

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1️⃣Stage 1. Preparations Before Booting Dell from USB

2️⃣Stage 2. Create a Bootable USB for Dell Laptop

3️⃣Stage 3. Boot Dell from USB

?", USB Creator and ISO Burning Tool - Partition Master

How to Boot a Dell Computer from a USB

Booting your Dell computer from USB lets you install a new operating system and can help resolve any errors that might be preventing your device from working correctly. In this section, you'll learn about the preparations needed before booting, how to create a bootable media, and how to make your Dell computer boot from USB.

Phase 1: Preparing to Boot from a USB Device on a Dell computer

You need to do some preparation to ensure a smooth booting process. This involves gathering all the necessary elements to successfully boot your computer from a USB. The main preparatory steps include:

1. Get a USB drive

Make sure you have a USB drive that your computer can recognize and that you can create bootable media on. The USB drive should be at least 8 GB and formatted with the FAT32 file system so that it's easy to install the bootable files.

2. Download the ISO file

An ISO file contains all the data and information for the operating system you want to install. You'll need to download it from Microsoft's website, and you can choose to download an ISO file for Windows 11 or Windows 10.

    • Windows 11: www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
    • Windows 10: www.microsoft.com/zh-cn/software-download/windows10

This download can be very large, so you need a stable Internet connection and enough free space on your hard drive.

3. Download the bootable media

After downloading the ISO file, you'll need a tool to burn it to a flash drive or CD/DVD. In addition to Rufus, we also recommend using the bootable media creator - AOMEI Partition Assistant.

This tool simplifies the process of burning a Windows ISO file, so even PC novices can master the art of burning.

Step 2: Create a bootable USB drive for your Dell laptop

If you have gathered and prepared all the necessary requirements, the next step is to create a bootable USB drive. Creating a bootable USB drive enables users to boot smoothly from the USB drive, which is a crucial step. There are several methods that can help you create a bootable USB drive and allow your Dell laptop to boot from it.

Guide 1: Creating a Bootable USB without ISO

If you don't have an ISO and want to create a Windows 10 installation USB drive, you can use the OS2Go tool – a utility specifically designed for creating bootable Windows media.

Read More: How to Create a Bootable USB

Guideline 2: Use professional tools to burn the ISO image

Booting a computer from USB can help users run a system, reinstall Windows, or troubleshoot boot issues. If you need to boot your Dell computer for any of these reasons, we recommend using tools like Partition Master to burn a Windows ISO to USB for system reinstallation.

The software lets you select and burn the downloaded ISO file to your flash drive. It also allows you to add bootable partition manager options to the Windows boot menu or create a WinPE bootable media. This comes in handy for dealing with common issues like unresponsive operating systems or other typical boot problems.

Here are the steps to create a bootable USB using the Partition Master tool for your Dell computer:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, then enter the "Create Bootable Media" interface. Click "Burn ISO Image" and then click "Next".

Select to Burn ISO

Step 2: Choose the ISO image you downloaded to your computer, and click Open.

Select to burn ISO

Step 3. Click “Next,” select your USB device as the destination, and click “Burn” to perform the operation.

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Step 3: Boot Dell from the USB drive

After creating the bootable USB, the next step is to connect it to your Dell computer and start booting. Before you begin, you must set the boot order to UEFI. Follow these steps:

Step one: Shut down your computer and plug in the bootable USB drive.

Step 2: Turn on the computer and press F2 when the Dell logo appears.

Step three: In the BIOS settings, choose “Advanced,” then “CSM Configuration.” Find the “Boot Option Filter” section, and select “UEFI Only.” You are now set to boot in UEFI mode.

dell-select-uefi

Step 4: Select the “Boot” menu tab, and from the list of drives choose your bootable USB drive. Press Enter. Confirm your choice by pressing F4, and exit the screen.

Select the drive and click on **Next** : Select bootable drive

Step 5. If prompted to confirm to Save and Exit, select Yes, then press the Enter key. Your Dell computer will begin booting from the connected USB drive. Be patient and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

You can also watch the video below to learn how to boot your Dell computer from a USB drive:

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With the techniques described here, you should be able to boot other laptops from USB as well.

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Sidebar: What if You Don't See the USB Device in Boot Options?

Sometimes, your bootable USB drive might not appear in the list of available boot devices. This can happen if fast startup is enabled on the system. To resolve this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Turn on the Dell computer and boot normally (disconnect any bootable USB drives).

Step 2: Open “Settings.” Next, go to “System” > “Power & Sleep.” Click on “Additional power settings.”

Step 3: A new window will appear; from there, select “Choose what the power buttons do.” Then, select “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”

Step 4: Finally, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” option. You have now disabled fast startup. Try rebooting your computer from the USB drive to see if that was the issue. If this was the problem, your computer should detect the bootable USB drive.

If you encounter any other error on Dell laptop, click on the links below for the fixes:

Why would you want to boot Dell from USB?

A lot of people want to know how to boot from a USB drive on a Dell computer. It's a common question on forums:

How to boot from USB on a 2016 Inspiron? F12 boot menu doesn't show it. I cleared the BIOS data on the SSD (to sell the computer), and now I'm trying to reinstall Windows 10 from scratch. I made a bootable USB with Rufus from an ISO. – A post from Reddit

You might want to try this method when you encounter any boot error or see the "No Bootable Image Found. Notebook will be shutdown" error. This tutorial may also come in handy if you're looking for how to boot Dell from USB. There could be many reasons why you'd want to boot your Dell from a USB drive. Here are some common ones:

    • Troubleshooting: Occasionally, your computer might encounter system errors that prevent it from functioning correctly. One of the best ways to fix irreparable errors is by booting your computer from a USB drive and loading a new operating system.
    • Upgrading or Installing Windows: If you want to install a new operating system or upgrade from an older version, you'll need to perform a USB boot. This allows you to conveniently install a new OS on your Dell computer and start enjoying its new features.
    • System Recovery: If you've been away from your computer for a while and forgotten your password, you'll need to reset the existing password by booting from a USB drive to restore your device.

Did you find the startup tips discussed in this article useful? Don't forget to share this article with your friends.

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Conclusions

Boot Dell computers from USB can help you troubleshoot common PC issues, upgrade your operating system, install a new system, or perform a system restore. This article will guide you on creating a bootable USB drive before installing Windows 11/10 on your Dell computer. First, you'll need to download the ISO file from the Microsoft website and then burn it onto a flash drive.

An excellent tool for burning the Windows installer to a USB flash drive is AOMEI Partition Assistant. This utility is particularly helpful when upgrading to Windows 11, as it enables you to easily create a bootable media and seamlessly boot your Dell computer without any hassle. The tool also lets you optimize disk performance.

Be sure to download and install Partition Master today so you can use it on your Dell computer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Booting from USB on Dell Computers 1. What is booting from USB? Booting from USB refers to loading and running an operating system from a USB drive connected to the computer's USB port, typically a USB flash drive containing OS installation files. This allows users to perform system installations, data recovery, or use portable operating systems. 2. How do I set up my Dell computer to boot from USB? To configure your Dell computer to boot from USB, you need to enter the BIOS settings. Usually, press F2 (on some models, it may be F12 or another key) during startup. In the BIOS, locate the "Boot" or "Startup" options, and move the USB device to the top of the boot order list. Save the changes and exit; the computer will attempt to boot from the USB device. 3. What type of USB drive do I need to boot from my Dell computer? For booting from a Dell computer, you'll need a USB 2.0 or 3.0 flash drive with at least 8GB capacity. You'll also need to create a bootable USB drive using tools like Rufus or Microsoft Media Creation Tool. Ensure that your drive is backed up, as this process will format it. 4. What if my Dell computer doesn't recognize my USB drive? If your Dell computer fails to detect the USB drive, check these points: - Make sure the USB drive is properly inserted and receiving power. - Test the USB drive on another computer to confirm its functionality. - Check the BIOS settings for hidden USB device options. - Update the BIOS to the latest version. - Try different USB ports. 5. How do I install an operating system after booting from USB? Insert the bootable USB drive, set your Dell computer to boot from USB. After starting, follow on-screen instructions, choose your language and installation type, then initiate the installation process. Steps may vary depending on the chosen operating system. 6. Can I use USB boot to recover my Dell computer? Yes, many Dell computers come with pre-installed recovery partitions or recovery disks. You can burn these contents to a USB drive and use it to restore or reset your computer to its factory settings. 7. Does booting from USB affect my computer's performance? Booting from a USB drive is generally slower than from a hard disk drive due to the slower read/write speed of USB interfaces. However, this won't impact long-term performance; it might just be a bit slower during startup and operation. 8. How do I exit USB boot mode and return to normal boot? After completing your task in USB boot mode, simply remove the USB drive and restart your computer. It should automatically boot from the hard drive unless you've changed the default boot order in the BIOS settings. If you want to permanently change the boot order, remember to adjust it back in the BIOS.

Here are some common questions about how to boot your Dell computer from a USB drive.

1. How do I boot from USB on my Dell Latitude laptop?

After creating a bootable USB drive, you can start your Dell Latitude laptop by following these steps.

Step 1. Turn off your computer and connect the bootable USB drive.

Step 2: Turn on the computer and press F2 when you see the Dell logo.

Step 3: In the BIOS settings, choose the “Advanced” option, then select “Configuration.” Find the Boot Option Filter section and choose “UEFI Only.”

Step 4: Navigate to the “Boot” tab, and within the Boot Order list, select your bootable USB drive. Press Enter, and then hit F4 to confirm your selection and exit the screen.

Step 5: If prompted to save changes and exit, select “Yes” and press Enter. Your Dell computer will now begin booting from the connected USB drive. Be patient during this process and follow any on-screen instructions that appear until it's complete.

2. What is the boot key for a Dell laptop?

On most Dell laptops, the Boot Key is `F12`. Pressing this key allows you to enter the boot menu for your laptop/computer.

How do I boot Windows 10 from USB on a Dell computer?

First, you need to download the official Windows 10 ISO image file from Microsoft's official website. After that, you'll need to use a bootable media tool, such as Partition Master, to burn the ISO file onto a USB drive. Once that's done, you can follow the steps outlined in Question 1 to boot your Windows 10 from the USB.