Cheap USB thumbdrives and rufus problem --- destroys drive

Hi folks
I've had 2 X cheap 16 GB USB drives totally destroyed when using rufus to create a Wintogo system from an iso ---what happens is that an error occurs in "image extraction". Then the usb device shows as "no media" and can't be repaired.

OK cheap unbranded USB thumb drives - but no problem at all on creating bootable macrium image, live linux image or even "bog standard" windows installation from rufus. Rufus versions are 4.4 portable and 4.5.

Not wanting to diss rufus at all -- but there's obviously something in its extraction of the windows image that is causing the hardware to fail -- just warning you if you use some cheaper brands of usb thumb drives.

There's no scam in these -- not like the "2TB 25 USD" things !!! these work properly without issue until you try and create the Wintogo image on the device then it gets irretrieviably bust.

I've posted elsewhere that if you want to create a WintoGo system you don't need to use the "Wintogo" option in rufus -- just ensure the reg key portableoperatingsystem is set to 0 and use the standard system.




Cheers
jimbo

You could try reformatting those drives using Rufus again.
I've had some with your same situation and Rufus fixed the drives again.

If you want, you can create portable Windows 11 USB flash drive without using third-part utilities.

In this video, i will guide you on creating bootable Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 USB flash drive, containing all your software without requiring Windows To Go.