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To create a bootable Windows 11 24H2 USB, open Rufus, select a genuine, unmodified 24H2 ISO and a blank USB drive, match the partition scheme to the target PC’s boot mode, then start the process. Rufus erases the selected drive, so back up its contents and confirm the device before proceeding.

Use Rufus’s optional Windows installation customizations only if they fit your needs: they apply when booting from the created media, do not make unsupported hardware supported, and cannot bypass Windows 11 24H2’s PopCnt and SSE4.2 CPU requirements.

Before you start

  • A genuine, unmodified Windows 11 24H2 retail ISO from Microsoft or another official licensing channel.
  • A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. Microsoft says the contents are deleted when creating installation media. Back up anything you need first. [c2]
  • A backup of important files on the target PC before a clean installation or reinstallation. [c2]
  • Rufus downloaded from its official project site. Rufus can run without installation. [c1]

Rufus recommends using genuine, unmodified Windows retail images. Recent versions may offer official Windows ISO downloads through the arrow beside SELECT and the DOWNLOAD option; the feature’s availability can depend on Rufus settings and network access. [c1]

Create the bootable USB in Rufus

  1. Connect the blank USB drive and open Rufus.
  2. Check the Device field carefully and confirm it shows the USB drive you intend to erase.
  3. Under Boot selection, choose SELECT and open the Windows 11 24H2 ISO. You do not need to extract the ISO first. [c1]
  4. Choose the partition scheme and target system to match the target PC’s boot mode, as explained below.
  5. Click START. If the Windows User Experience dialog appears, review the available customizations and select only the options you understand.
  6. Confirm Rufus’s erase warning only after checking the selected device and ensuring it contains no files you need. Microsoft warns that installation-media creation deletes the drive’s contents. [c2]
  7. Wait for Rufus to finish, then safely eject the USB drive.

Choose GPT or MBR to match the PC

Target PC boot mode Rufus partition scheme Rufus target system
UEFI GPT UEFI
BIOS or UEFI-CSM MBR BIOS or BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)

Rufus documents that GPT media for these Windows installation ISOs targets UEFI-only boot, while MBR with BIOS/UEFI-CSM targets BIOS mode. The PC’s firmware boot mode must match the USB. If you are unsure which mode your computer uses, check its manufacturer’s instructions. [c1]

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What Rufus customizations can and cannot do

Rufus may offer options to bypass some Windows installer checks, such as TPM or Secure Boot requirements. These options affect checks made when booting from the Rufus-created media; they do not carry over to setup.exe launched from the running Windows desktop. [c3]

Do not assume these options make an unsupported PC supported by Microsoft or resolve every compatibility issue. Rufus’s FAQ says Windows 11 24H2 requires CPU support for PopCnt and SSE4.2, and those requirements cannot be bypassed. [c3]

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Secure Boot certificate limitation for 24H2

Rufus documents a specific limitation for PCs where the PCA 2011 certificate has been revoked and firmware accepts only Windows UEFI CA 2023 bootloaders: its CA 2023-compatible media workflow requires Rufus 4.10 or later and a Windows 11 25H2 ISO. Rufus says a 24H2 ISO does not work for that specific workflow. This is distinct from ordinary Secure Boot or TPM bypass options. [c3]

Boot and install from the USB

  1. Connect the USB to the target PC.
  2. Restart the PC and open its one-time boot menu. Microsoft gives Esc, F10, and F12 as examples of possible keys; the key varies by device. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions if needed. [c4]
  3. Select the USB device, using its UEFI entry if you created GPT/UEFI media.
  4. Follow Windows Setup to install, reinstall, or perform the intended setup task. [c4]

If the USB does not appear or boot, check that the firmware boot mode matches the Rufus settings and consult the PC manufacturer’s instructions. A message that the media can boot only in UEFI mode indicates a mismatch: switch a UEFI-capable PC to UEFI mode or recreate the USB for a BIOS target. [c1]

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After installation, remove the USB or restore the internal Windows drive as the first boot device so the PC does not start the installer again.

Rufus USB versus Microsoft’s guided media route

Route Best suited to What to check
Rufus Readers who have an ISO and want ISO-based boot media with Rufus’s available setup customization options. Use a genuine ISO, a blank USB with at least 8 GB, and settings that match the target PC’s boot mode. [c1][c2]
Microsoft’s guided media route Readers who prefer Microsoft’s guided process for preparing Windows installation media. Back up the USB contents first; Microsoft says media creation deletes them. [c2]

When to mount the ISO instead

If you only want to start Windows Setup from the currently running Windows installation, Rufus’s FAQ recommends mounting the ISO rather than creating bootable media. Rufus’s installation-check bypasses apply when booting from its created media, not when launching setup.exe from the desktop. [c3]

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FAQ

Can Rufus create a Windows 11 24H2 USB from an ISO?

Yes. Select the 24H2 ISO in Rufus, choose the intended USB and settings that match the target PC, then start the process. Confirm the USB is blank or backed up because its contents will be deleted.

Should I choose GPT or MBR in Rufus?

Choose GPT for a UEFI target and MBR with BIOS/UEFI-CSM for a BIOS-mode target. Match Rufus’s settings to the computer’s firmware boot mode. [c1]

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Does Rufus bypass every Windows 11 requirement?

No. Rufus says Windows 11 24H2 requires PopCnt and SSE4.2 CPU support, which cannot be bypassed. Its other installation customizations do not make an unsupported device supported by Microsoft. [c3]

Can I use Rufus’s bypasses when I run setup.exe inside Windows?

No. Rufus’s FAQ says its installation-check bypasses apply when booting from the Rufus-created media, not when launching setup.exe from the running Windows desktop. [c3]

What should I do if the USB only boots in UEFI mode?

Make the target PC boot in UEFI mode if it supports UEFI, or recreate the media with settings for a BIOS-mode target. The firmware mode and USB configuration must match. [c1]

Does the USB drive have to be FAT32?

The reviewed sources do not establish a universal file-system requirement for Rufus-created Windows media. Follow Rufus’s defaults unless you have a specific, verified reason to change them.

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The Bottom Line

Use a genuine Windows 11 24H2 ISO, a blank USB with at least 8 GB, and Rufus settings that match the target PC’s boot mode. Confirm the selected drive before starting, and remember that Rufus’s optional installation customizations do not bypass the 24H2 PopCnt and SSE4.2 requirements or make unsupported hardware supported.

Quick Recap

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