How to Create a Bootable USB, CD/DVD, and ISO Image using Todo Backup Tool

Why Need to Create a WinPE Bootable Disc or Bootable USB Tool

When the OS fails to boot, or when we need to migrate the system from a backup image to another HDD/SSD, a WinPE bootable disc may be required. Under the Pre-Installation Environment, we can run the Todo Backup tool without relying on system boot partitions, and recover the system or data from backups. Todo Backup supports two methods for creating a rescue CD or bootable DVD: Linux-based bootable disk and WinPE-based bootable disk. However, many functions are not available on a Linux-based bootable CD, so we recommend creating the WinPE bootable CD first.

The comparison of available functions between Linux and WinPE bootable disc is as follows.

Part 1. How to Create a Bootable USB/CD/DVD/ISO Using Tools

The latest edition of Todo Backup (V13.2) demonstrates improved compatibility with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 and UEFI during the creation of WinPE bootable media. Additionally, it eliminates the need to download AIK/WAIK, thereby saving time.

Your Backup and Recovery Tool - Todo Backup

• Reliable data protection for businesses of all sizes and environments
• Straightforward, powerful, and efficient backup tool
• Boot a computer from an emergency disk even when the PC becomes unbootable

1 - How to Create a Bootable USB Drive

Todo Backup offers a bootable disk feature based on both Linux and WinPE, allowing you to boot your PC in case of a system failure. To create an emergency bootable USB for your computer, simply download the software and install it on your PC. Afterwards, follow these steps:

Step 1. Run Todo Backup on your computer and click "Tools" > "Create Emergency Disk".

Step 2. The Create Emergency Disk window will appear. You can choose to create an ISO image of your system or a bootable USB or disc.

Most people opt to create a bootable USB. In case there's an issue with your computer, simply insert the USB flash drive, and it will启动your computer with utilities to restore data to the system.

请准备一个具有足够空间并且可读可写的USB驱动器，并将其连接到您的电脑。

Create a bootable USB/Emergency disk with tools to perform backup. Step 2

Step 3. When done, click "Create" to create a bootable USB drive.

"To boot from the bootable USB drive, follow these steps:"

Translate the following text into English:
• Connect your USB drive to your computer.
• Start your computer and press F2/DEL to enter the BIOS.
• Choose to boot from "Removable Devices" and press "F10" to save and exit.

If you're a single user, you can create a bootable USB with the tools from Todo Backup Home version.

?Further Reading: How to Create a Windows XP Bootable USB [Best Methods]

2 - How to Create the Bootable CD/DVD

The process of creating a bootable CD/DVD is similar to creating a bootable USB, except you would replace USB with CD/DVD. In the BIOS settings, ensure you set the CD-ROM as the primary boot device. That should do it.

3 - How to Create the Bootable ISO Image using Tools

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup, and click "Tools" > "Create Emergency Disk".

Step 2. Select "Create ISO", then browse to the specific location where you want to save the ISO file. Click "Proceed".

Step 3. After creating the ISO image, burn it to a CD/DVD using Nero.

1. Launch Nero Burning ROM, then choose "Recorder > Burn Image > image.iso."
2. In the Burn options, select "Determine maximum speed" and "Write." Click "Burn > Done"随后.

Part 2. Create a WinPE Bootable Disk using Windows ADK

You can also create a WinPE bootable disk using the ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows). The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit provides the necessary tools to customize Windows images for large-scale deployment and to evaluate the quality and performance of your system, its components, and the applications running on it. To create a bootable USB with ADK, follow these steps:

Step 1. Download the Windows ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit). It includes the CopyPE and MakeWinPEMedia command-line tools.

Step 2. Launch the ADK tool, and select "Install the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit - Windows 10 on this computer." Click "Next." On the following page, click "Next" and then "Accept."

Create a bootable USB with ADK

Step 3. Select the "Deployment Tools" and "Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)" options, then click "Install".

Create a bootable USB with ADK

Step 4. Close the installation when it's done. Open the Start menu, then go to "Windows Kits." Right-click on "Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment" and select "More" followed by "Run as administrator."

Step 5. When it runs, execute the command: copype amd64 G:\WinPEx64 (replace G:\ with the drive letter of your choice).

Step 6. Next, run the command: MakeWinPEMedia /ISO G:\WinPEx64 G:\WinPEx64\WPE64.iso. When you see "100% complete" and "Success," it indicates that you have successfully created the WinPE files. Go to the G drive or the location where you made the WinPE files. You will find a WinPE ISO file there.

Next, connect the target disk to your computer and burn the ISO files to it to make it bootable. For this purpose, you can use Windows To Go (a feature available in Windows 10 Education/Enterprise/Pro and Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise).

Step 7. Type "Windows To Go" in the search box to open the tool.

Step 8. It will automatically search for all inserted USB drives. Select the target USB drive and then click "Next" to proceed. Click "Add search location" to look for the Windows installation ISO file, and choose the mounted ISO file.

Step 9. On the next window, you can set a BitLocker password to encrypt your Windows To Go workspace.

Conclusion

If you intend to create a bootable USB drive for business purposes, you can download and install the Todo Backup Enterprise version. For individual users, you can download and install the Todo Backup Home version. If you're searching for a free tool to create a bootable USB, opt for Windows ADK.

Tools Bootable USB Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions about bootable USB drives, you can refer to the questions and answers below.

Why isn't my bootable USB booting?

If the USB drive isn't booting, ensure that it's bootable. You can either choose the USB from the Boot Device list or set BIOS/UEFI to boot first from the USB drive and then from the hard disk.

How do I force the BIOS to boot from USB?

1. Press the Power button for your computer.
2. During the initial startup screen, press ESC, F1, F2, F8, or F10.
3. When you choose to enter the BIOS Setup, the setup utility page will appear.
4. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, select the BOOT tab.
5. Move USB to be first in the boot sequence. Press F10 to save and exit.

How do I create a bootable USB drive for a software installation?

"To create a bootable USB"

Connect your USB to your computer. Run the Todo Backup tool, and click on "Tools" then "Create Emergency Disk." Select "Create WinPE emergency disk" and choose USB as the medium for creating the rescue media. Click "Proceed" to create a bootable USB drive.

Can I burn an ISO file to a USB or DVD?

Yes, you can. To burn an ISO file, follow these steps: 1. Download an ISO burning software: There are various free and paid options available, such as Rufus, Etcher, or the built-in Windows Disc Image Burner (for Windows 7 and later). 2. Insert a blank CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc into your computer's optical drive. 3. Launch the ISO burning software of your choice. 4. Select the ISO file: Browse to the location where the ISO file is saved on your computer and choose it. 5. Choose the disc drive: Make sure the correct CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive is selected. 6. Start the burning process: Click on the "Burn" or "Write" button in the software to begin the burning process. The software will handle the rest, and it may take some time depending on the size of the ISO file and the speed of your optical drive. 7. Wait for the process to complete: Do not remove the disc or close the software while the burning is in progress. 8. Verify the burn: After the process is finished, the software might ask you to verify the burned data. This step is optional but recommended to ensure the disc was burned correctly. 9. Eject the disc: Once verified, safely eject the disc from your computer. Now you have successfully burned the ISO file onto a disc.

1. Locate the folder where the ISO file is saved. 2. Right-click on the ISO file, select Properties, then click on General, followed by Change. Choose Windows Explorer as the program you want to use to open ISO files, and click Apply. 3. Right-click the ISO file and select "Burn disc image."