Installing Windows 11 on USB Flash Drive?


newmann

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I want to install windows 11 on a 32gb flash drive. So that way if I have issue with my new dell xps 15 9520 that uses windows 11 pro, I can just plug the usb into it and do a reinstall of windows 11.

This is the link to do it correct? Click on the 2nd option of

Create Windows 11 Installation Media?​





After I do this, how long does the process take? Do I just wait until it is finished and that is all? I want to put windows 11 on a spare 32gb flash drive in case I need to use it. I will only keep windows 11 on this usb.
 

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Windows 11 Pro
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Windows 11 Pro


Can anyone here confirm this is how you do it? The video is only 1.5 minutes long and seems the most simple from what I see on youtube. Now is there a very long wait during this process for the download?
 

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Windows 11 Pro
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Windows 11 Pro
yes that is preety much it. The download time will depend onthe speed of your internet. Not sure if the back button is still there for getting local account.
 

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    Win7,Win11i7-97002x16gb 3600mhz
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    i7-9700
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    gigabyte b365m ds3h
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    win7,win11i5-84002x8gb 3200
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    i5-8400
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    gigabyte b365m ds3h
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    2x8gb 3200
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    xfx pro 450
I did 2 installs of Win11 Pro and 1 of Win11 Home with the Internet disconnected, able to get Local Accounts. Then after the install connected to the Internet, got Activated then the updates.
 

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    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz12GB
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    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
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    12GB
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    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
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    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz16GBOnboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA a...
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    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
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    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
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    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
After you create the Windows 11 installation USB flash drive, you might want to add a folder for Drivers on it and export your existing drivers to it:
 

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    Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT32GBEVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
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    Windows 11
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    Homebuilt
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    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
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    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
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    32GB
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    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
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    Windows 11 EducationIntel i7-8550U32GBNvidia Geforce MX150
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    Windows 11 Education
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    Dell Inspiron 7773
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    Intel i7-8550U
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    32GB
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    Nvidia Geforce MX150
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    Realtek
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    17"
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    1920 x 1080
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    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
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    Fast!
Download latest version of Rufus. Plug your USB drive and launch Rufus. Select your USB from the list and then click to choose your ISO. For compliant computer (UEFI firmware, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and less than 3 years CPU) select GPT UEFI installation. For older non-compliant computers select MBR Legacy BIOS (CSM) installation. When you click to proceed with creating the USB you will given the choice to also bypass compatibility check for older non-compliant computers. Do that anyway, so you can use the USB with any computer.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9445)Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz4GBMobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9445)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    802.11g wireless 54 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.9445)Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generat...2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.9445)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    802.11ac 5GHz wireless 260Mpbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
If on the other hand you mean you want to install and load Windows 11 from USB, this is another topic. Let me know if you want that instead.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9445)Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz4GBMobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9445)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    802.11g wireless 54 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.9445)Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generat...2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.9445)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    802.11ac 5GHz wireless 260Mpbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
I want to put windows 11 on a spare 32gb flash drive in case I need to use it. I will only keep windows 11 on this usb.

The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (MCT) (Windows 11 iso) can be installed on an 8 GB or larger flash drive.

There are options to be able to use the remaining 24 GB if you want to (this would need to be planned before installing the MCT).




These could be some options for the remaining 24 GB:

a) Install backed up drivers
b) Install bootable rescue software: Kyhi, Gandalf, Omb, Hiren, etc.
c) Sea Tools bootable
d) Windows 10 MCT
e) etc.
 

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Windows 10Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryTyp...NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
OS
Windows 10
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
Motherboard
Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
Memory
16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Sound Card
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
Hard Drives
Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender
Other Info
Mobile Workstation
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