How to Create a Bootable Windows 11 USB Drive with or without ISO

The customary method to perform a clean installation of any Microsoft Windows operating system on a device is through a bootable USB drive that holds a downloaded ISO image. This rule also applies to installing Windows 11. Are you aware of how to create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive using an ISO image? And what if you don't have any ISO image files available for download?

In the previous article, we talked about how to create a Windows bootable USB using Rufus, a free and open-source tool for installing Microsoft Windows. This involves imaging a bootable ISO file onto an external USB device, but the assumption is that you have already downloaded the ISO file yourself. Hence, Rufus is one option you can follow to create a Windows 11 bootable USB from an ISO. However, we have a better and more foolproof method for installing Windows 11 from an ISO onto a portable USB drive.

The Ultimate Method to Create a Windows 11 Portable USB Drive from an ISO File

Compared to Rufus, the upcoming solution can be an ideal one. The Win11Builder tool entirely resolves the issue for all inexperienced Windows users who struggle to find and download an official Windows 11 ISO file.

In short, using a bootable USB creation tool, all you need is to have an empty USB flash drive or any other type of external USB device and let it automatically install the ISO image onto the USB drive for you.

Step 1. Launch OS2Go after installation, and click Windows Install Drive Creator. The system information is displayed on the home screen, which updates continually. Besides Windows 11, the Win11 builder also allows you to download Windows 10/8.1.

Step 2. Plug your USB flash drive into the computer. Win11 Builder will automatically detect your USB device, so simply click the Create button.

Step 3. If your USB drive has been used before, the software will erase its data. When the downloading process starts, wait for it to finish, or you can leave and do other tasks.

Step 4. Once the Windows 11 ISO image has been successfully downloaded onto the USB drive, proceed to install Windows 11 on your computer by following the installation wizard step by step from the bootable USB drive.

The Alternative Method to Create a Bootable Windows 11 USB Drive Without ISO

It's also possible to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 11 without needing an ISO file. Instead, you can copy an installed Windows 11 to a USB drive, and make it bootable on any device, including on another Windows PC or a Mac computer.

To create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive, you'll need the assistance of OS2Go, a tool equivalent to Windows To Go that can be utilized on any Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer. A notable feature of this alternative tool is its capability to help you create a Windows To Go USB drive without requiring the Enterprise edition.

Primary Functions of the Windows 11 Bootable USB Drive created using OS2Go tools:

• Clone a Windows 11 operating system drive to any external USB drive
• Boot Windows 11 on any different PC or Mac from the bootable USB drive
• Migrate Windows 11, along with essential programs and games, to a bootable USB device
• Run Windows 11 from the bootable USB drive on both compatible or incompatible PCs

< strong >Follow the step-by-step guide to create a Windows 11 portable USB drive without ISO: 遵循分步指南，在没有ISO的情况下创建Windows 11便携式USB驱动器：

Step 1. Install OS2Go on your Windows computer. It 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.

Step 3. Adjust disk layout. The default disk layout on the target drive will be identical to the source drive. You can also edit the layout to suit your needs. Check the option if you're using a Solid State Drive as the Windows boot drive. Then, click Proceed.

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 should be bootable.

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

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