The Best Free Tools for Creating a Bootable Windows or Linux USB Drive
If you want to install Windows or Linux on your computer, you need a bootable USB drive. A bootable USB drive not only helps you install the operating system, but it’s also a lifesaver when your computer crashes.
Creating a bootable USB drive is no longer a difficult task. You can use numerous software tools to create a bootable USB drive easily. In this article, we will discuss the best free tools for creating a bootable Windows or Linux USB drive.
1. Rufus:
Rufus is one of the widely used tools to create and format bootable USB drives. The software is lightweight, free, and open source. It can create a bootable drive for almost every operating system like Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, and others.
The user interface of Rufus is minimal and straightforward. It provides advanced formatting options like partition schemes, file systems, and cluster sizes. Rufus also offers support for creating a bootable USB drive using an ISO file.
2. BalenaEtcher:
BalenaEtcher is a cross-platform tool to create bootable USB drives. It helps you create bootable USB drives for Windows, Linux, and other operating systems.
One of the best features of BalenaEtcher is its securitization of the process. This feature helps you keep your USB drive safe from any attacks like overwriting or formatting. The tool also offers a user-friendly interface that makes the process easier.
3. Universal USB Installer:
Universal USB Installer is another free tool that helps you create bootable USB drives. It offers support for a wide range of operating systems like Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, and others. The tool is handy when you want to create a bootable USB drive for older versions of Windows like Windows XP or Windows Vista.
The interface of the Universal USB Installer is straightforward and accessible for beginners. It helps you download the ISO file from the internet and create a bootable USB drive easily. Universal USB Installer also offers a test run before you create the bootable USB drive to check if everything is working correctly.
4. WinToUSB:
WinToUSB is a free tool that helps you create a bootable USB drive for Windows. It helps you create a portable version of your Windows operating system in a USB drive. It’s suitable for those who want to carry a portable version of their Windows operating system and use it on different computers.
The WinToUSB interface is user-friendly, and the process of creating a bootable USB drive is straightforward. It offers support for almost every version of Windows like Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
In conclusion, creating a bootable USB drive is no longer a difficult task. The above-listed tools make the process easier and ensure that your USB drive is safe from any attacks. These tools offer a user-friendly interface, and beginners can use them without any difficulty.