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Rufus creates the bootable USB; it does not install, license, or activate Windows by itself. For a normal Windows 11 installation on a modern PC, download a genuine Microsoft ISO, select the correct USB in Rufus, use GPT with UEFI (non CSM), and then boot the target computer from that USB.
Creating the drive erases everything on the selected USB. Before you begin, decide whether you need a clean installation, which removes apps, settings, and files from the Windows disk, or an in-place upgrade, which must be started by running setup.exe from the existing Windows desktop. Rufus can offer installer-level bypasses for some Windows 11 checks, but those do not make unsupported hardware officially supported and may affect compatibility or updates.
What Rufus does—and does not do
Rufus is a Windows utility for formatting USB flash drives and placing boot files and Windows installation files on them. It runs without a conventional installation and is useful when you need to:
- Install Windows 11 on a new or wiped PC.
- Reinstall Windows after a serious software failure.
- Start Windows Setup when the existing installation will not boot.
- Launch an in-place upgrade or repair installation from within the existing Windows installation.
Rufus does not:
- Provide a Windows license or product key.
- Activate Windows.
- Repair defective hardware.
- Guarantee that Windows 11 will run reliably on unsupported hardware.
- Guarantee Windows Updates or Microsoft support after an unsupported installation.
Choose the installation path first
| Goal | Correct method | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Clean installation | Boot the PC from the Rufus USB, choose a custom installation, and select the intended Windows disk. | Removes Windows, applications, settings, manufacturer customizations, and files on the partitions you delete. Back up first. |
| In-place upgrade or repair install | Start the existing Windows installation, open the USB in File Explorer, run setup.exe, and select Change what to keep. |
Can preserve personal files, applications, and settings when Keep personal files and apps is selected. |
If your objective is to preserve your installed programs and settings, do not boot from the USB. Booting from it normally takes you toward a fresh installation. Instead, boot into Windows and run setup.exe from the USB or from a mounted ISO. Microsoft documents the available choices as Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, and Keep nothing in its installation-media reinstall guide.
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What you need
- A working Windows computer on which to run Rufus. The official Rufus page says it requires Windows 8 or later.
- Administrator access.
- A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of capacity. Its contents will be deleted.
- A genuine Windows 11 ISO downloaded from Microsoft.
- A valid Windows license, product key, or existing digital license for the edition you plan to install.
- A complete backup of important documents, photos, browser data, and other files.
- Your BitLocker recovery key if the current Windows installation or its data drives are encrypted.
- AC power for a laptop and, preferably, a stable internet connection for downloading the ISO, drivers, updates, and activation.
A BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit number. Microsoft says Support cannot recreate a lost key, so locate and save it before changing firmware settings, reinstalling Windows, or replacing hardware.
Check Windows 11 compatibility before creating the USB
For an official installation, use Microsoft’s PC Health Check assessment from the resources linked on the Windows 11 specifications page. Windows 11’s published baseline includes a compatible 64-bit processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, at least 64 GB of storage, UEFI firmware that is Secure Boot capable, TPM 2.0, DirectX 12 graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver, and an HD display larger than 9 inches.
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- TPM may only be disabled. It can appear in firmware as Intel PTT or AMD fTPM, depending on the computer.
- Secure Boot may be unavailable because the PC is booting in Legacy or CSM mode. A modern system may become eligible after switching to UEFI mode, although changing boot mode on an existing installation requires care.
- An unsupported processor is different. Rufus cannot add CPU instructions that the processor does not contain.
- A computer without UEFI is a more serious problem than one with a disabled TPM setting. MBR/Legacy media may boot on old equipment, but that is not the normal supported Windows 11 configuration.
- Passing the minimum is not a performance guarantee. A PC can meet the requirements and still perform poorly with demanding applications.
Rufus specifically notes that Windows 11 version 24H2 requires processor support for PopCnt and SSE4.2. If Setup reports that the CPU lacks these critical features, stop: Rufus cannot bypass that restriction.
As of August 10, 2026, Microsoft’s release information describes Windows 11 26H1 as a release for new devices arriving in early 2026, rather than an in-place feature update from 24H2 or 25H2. Version 25H2 remains the general-availability version relevant to existing PCs. ISO availability changes, so download the version Microsoft currently offers instead of relying on a permanently named release.
Download Rufus and the Windows 11 ISO safely
Download Rufus
- Open the official Rufus download page. Use
rufus.ieor the official pbatard/rufus GitHub project, not a third-party download portal or a site using Rufus branding. - Download the current Standard executable unless you specifically need the portable variant. The official page also provides x86 and ARM64 Windows executables.
- Run the executable and approve the User Account Control prompt. Rufus does not require a traditional installation.
- Windows should identify the verified publisher as Akeo Consulting. If the downloaded file is not digitally signed or shows an unexpected publisher, do not run it.
At the time of publication, the official Rufus site lists Rufus 4.15, dated June 30, 2026. Use the download page for the current release rather than trusting an old guide that hard-codes a version number.
Download the ISO from Microsoft
- Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page.
- For an Intel- or AMD-based PC, choose Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
- For an ARM-based PC, use Microsoft’s separate ARM64 ISO option. Do not assume x64 installation media is interchangeable with ARM64 hardware.
- Save the ISO to a local folder. Microsoft’s x64 ISO is a multi-edition image; the product key or license determines which edition is activated.
- Use Microsoft’s Verify your download option when available.
The direct Microsoft ISO download is usually the least confusing route. Rufus can also download Windows ISOs on versions that provide that option, but its download control may be absent when update checking is disabled or when Rufus cannot reach Microsoft’s signed download script. If Rufus’s download fails, use Microsoft’s download page directly.
The download itself is free. Activation is not: you still need a valid license or digital entitlement.
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Create the Windows 11 USB with Rufus
- Back up the USB drive and disconnect other removable drives if possible. Rufus will erase the selected device.
- Insert the USB flash drive into the working Windows computer.
- Open Rufus as administrator if Windows requests elevation.
- In Device, select the intended USB. Identify it by its manufacturer name and capacity, not merely by the drive letter.
- Set Boot selection to Disk or ISO image, click SELECT, and choose the Microsoft Windows 11 ISO.
- Use the normal image option, usually labeled Standard Windows installation, if Rufus displays an image-option menu.
- For a modern PC, use the settings in the table below.
- Click START.
- Read the Windows User Experience dialog and select only the customizations you understand.
- Read the final erase warning. Confirm only after checking the selected device again.
- Wait for Rufus to finish. Do not promise a fixed duration: USB speed, controller quality, ISO size, antivirus scanning, and the computer’s storage performance all affect it.
- When Rufus reports completion, safely eject the USB.
| Rufus field | Recommended setting for a modern PC | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Device | The intended blank USB drive | Confirm the name and capacity before proceeding. The selected device will be erased. |
| Boot selection | Disk or ISO image → SELECT | Chooses the Windows 11 ISO. |
| Image option | Standard Windows installation, if shown | Creates the normal Windows Setup path. |
| Partition scheme | GPT | Matches modern UEFI systems and is the standard Windows 11 choice. |
| Target system | UEFI (non CSM) | Keeps the media and installation in modern UEFI mode. |
| File system | Leave Rufus’s default | Rufus chooses based on the ISO and boot requirements. Do not force FAT32 or NTFS without a reason. |
| Cluster size | Default | There is normally no benefit in changing it. |
| Volume label | Default or a descriptive name | Optional; it does not determine Windows compatibility. |
GPT/UEFI, MBR/Legacy, FAT32, and NTFS explained
GPT and UEFI
GPT with UEFI (non CSM) is the right default for supported Windows 11 installations on modern PCs. It works with Secure Boot and is the normal choice for current NVMe and UEFI-based systems.
Rufus can also create MBR/BIOS or BIOS/CSM media. Reserve that configuration for genuinely old hardware or a specific legacy-compatibility requirement. Legacy mode prevents Secure Boot, can cause later boot-mode and upgrade problems, and does not represent the standard supported Windows 11 path. Rufus’s FAQ explains that the partition scheme must match the firmware mode in which the PC boots.
FAT32 and NTFS
FAT32 has a 4-GB limit for an individual file. Some Windows images contain an installation file larger than that, so Rufus may select NTFS. Do not assume that every Windows 11 USB must be FAT32 or that every ISO must be NTFS.
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Rufus’s UEFI:NTFS mechanism allows UEFI systems to boot NTFS or exFAT media, including Windows media with a large install.wim. Leave the file-system choice to Rufus unless you are solving a specific firmware problem. If a system rejects the UEFI:NTFS path under Secure Boot, follow current Rufus guidance for that ISO and firmware. Temporarily disabling Secure Boot may be a narrowly qualified troubleshooting workaround, but it is not a default Windows 11 instruction.
Understand the Windows User Experience dialog
After you click START, Rufus may display a Windows User Experience dialog. The exact checkbox wording changes with the Rufus release and Windows ISO, so read the current text rather than relying on an old screenshot.
Depending on the media, the dialog can offer options such as:
- Removing Windows 11 checks for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and minimum RAM.
- Removing or relaxing the online Microsoft-account requirement.
- Creating or configuring a local account.
- Applying regional settings from the current installation.
- Disabling selected default Windows behaviors or bundled features.
- For appropriate Windows 11 25H2 media, using Windows UEFI CA 2023-signed bootloaders.
On supported hardware
- Leave TPM, Secure Boot, and RAM bypasses unchecked when the PC meets the requirements.
- Use a local-account option only when you understand that it changes the setup path and may require the network to be disconnected.
- Avoid broad quality-of-life changes unless you know which Windows features, prompts, or defaults they remove or disable.
On unsupported hardware
Selecting a bypass can allow Setup to proceed on some PCs that fail TPM, Secure Boot, RAM, or certain eligibility checks. It is an installer customization, not an official compatibility upgrade. Microsoft warns on its Windows 11 download page that unsupported installations may have compatibility problems, may not be supported, and may not be entitled to updates.
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If you proceed, test chipset, graphics, audio, network, storage, sleep, and Windows Update after installation. Do not describe the result as guaranteed or safe for every computer. Rufus says some bypasses rely on mechanisms present in the Microsoft installer, which Microsoft could change or remove in a later release.
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The local-account option has conditions
Rufus’s local-account customization does not guarantee that Setup will always show a local-account choice while connected to the internet. For Windows 11 22H2 and later, Rufus documents that the option restores local-account creation when Setup cannot connect to the internet. At the account-creation stage, disconnect Ethernet or disable Wi-Fi. If Setup has network access, it may continue to prefer an online Microsoft account.
Windows S mode is an exception. Rufus documents that S mode can conflict with the local-account answer-file option and produce an unattend-file error, even after the existing Windows partition has been deleted. If the target PC is in S mode, recreate the media without that option or use the supported process for leaving S mode where possible.
Windows UEFI CA 2023 is a specialized case
Do not turn the certificate issue into a general instruction to disable Secure Boot. For the specific Windows 11 25H2 bootloader-certificate situation, Rufus says version 4.10 or later can create media using Windows UEFI CA 2023-signed bootloaders, and that this requires a Windows 11 25H2 ISO. Use current Rufus and Microsoft media when this applies.
Boot the target PC from the USB
- Insert the completed Rufus USB into the target computer.
- Shut down or restart the computer.
- During startup, open the one-time boot menu. The key varies by manufacturer and model; common examples include F2, F12, Delete, and Esc. F12 is not universal.
- Select the USB entry that identifies itself as a UEFI device, often shown as UEFI: USB-name.
- Start Windows Setup.
If the computer starts the old operating system instead:
- Open the one-time boot menu again and select the USB explicitly.
- Confirm that the USB appears as a UEFI entry.
- Check whether firmware is set to Legacy or CSM instead of UEFI.
- Try another USB port, particularly a port directly connected to the computer rather than a hub.
- Check whether Secure Boot is rejecting the selected bootloader.
Use the one-time boot menu rather than permanently changing the boot order when possible. If you changed the permanent order, restore the internal Windows drive as the first boot device after installation. Otherwise, after a restart, the computer may return to the beginning of Windows Setup.
Install Windows 11
Standard Setup sequence
- Choose the language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout.
- Select Install Windows or Install now, depending on the current Setup interface.
- When asked for a product key, enter it, or choose I don’t have a product key if the PC has a valid digital license or you plan to activate later.
- Select the Windows edition that matches your license, such as Home or Pro.
- Accept the license terms.
- Choose the installation type. Select the upgrade or keep-files path only when you started Setup from inside Windows. For a booted USB clean install, choose the custom installation option.
- Select the destination disk and allow Setup to copy files. The computer will restart several times.
Clean-install disk selection
This is the point at which an incorrect choice can destroy data on an internal drive. Identify the target disk by its size and, where possible, its manufacturer. If you are inexperienced, disconnect other internal drives that are not needed for the installation before starting.
- In the disk list, identify the intended Windows disk. Do not assume Disk 0 is always the correct disk, and do not modify another disk simply because it is listed as Disk 1 or Disk 2.
- Delete partitions only from the intended target disk. This removes the existing Windows installation, recovery partitions, applications, and files on those partitions.
- Stop and recheck if the capacity does not match the disk you intend to erase.
- When the intended disk shows as Unallocated Space, select it and click Next. Windows Setup will create the partitions it needs.
Microsoft’s clean-install instructions specifically warn users not to modify other disks. Generic advice to delete every partition on every listed disk is unsafe.
In-place upgrade or repair installation
For an in-place installation, boot normally into the existing Windows system. Open the Rufus USB in File Explorer, run setup.exe, and proceed through Setup. At Change what to keep, select:
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- Keep personal files and apps to preserve the existing programs, files, and settings when compatible.
- Keep personal files only to preserve files but remove applications and settings.
- Keep nothing when you understand that the existing personal data and applications will not be preserved.
If Windows will not boot, an in-place upgrade is generally not available from that installation; use the USB to troubleshoot or perform a clean installation after securing your backups and recovery key.
Activation and licensing
- Existing activated PC, same edition: choose I don’t have a product key during Setup, install the same edition, connect to the internet, and allow Windows to reactivate using the device’s digital license.
- New PC: a product key or digital license is required eventually.
- Edition mismatch: a Windows Home license will not activate Windows Pro. Install the edition that matches the entitlement.
- Firmware-embedded key: Setup may detect a key stored in the computer’s firmware automatically.
- Motherboard replacement: a major hardware change can require reactivation.
Microsoft explains digital licenses and activation and provides a separate guide for reactivating after a hardware change. Linking a digital license to a Microsoft account can make reactivation easier after a major hardware change, but it does not turn a Home license into Pro or replace a missing license.
Finish setup safely
After Windows reaches the desktop:
- Connect to the internet.
- Open Settings → System → Activation and confirm the activation status.
- Run Settings → Windows Update and install available updates.
- Install chipset, graphics, network, storage, and other drivers through Windows Update or the computer manufacturer’s support page.
- Open Device Manager and check for unknown devices or warning icons.
- If you temporarily changed firmware settings, re-enable Secure Boot and confirm TPM is enabled when appropriate.
- Restore the normal boot order and remove the USB so the computer starts from its internal drive.
- Reconnect other internal drives after confirming that the new Windows installation boots correctly.
- Reinstall applications and restore personal files from backup.
- Enable or reconfigure BitLocker only after confirming that the recovery key is safely stored.
Rufus’s media customizations and the computer’s firmware configuration are separate. Creating a USB with Rufus does not permanently disable TPM or Secure Boot; any firmware change must be made and reversed separately.
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Rufus does not see the USB
- Remove and reinsert the drive.
- Try another USB port and close applications that may be using the drive.
- Check the USB on another computer.
- Review Rufus’s log for detection or hardware errors.
- In Rufus’s advanced drive options, enable List USB Hard Drives, or press Alt-F, only if you understand the risk. Rufus hides some external drives by default to reduce destructive mistakes, and formatting non-flash USB hard drives is not officially supported.
Rufus reports Access is denied
Windows security or another program may be preventing exclusive access to the device. Check the Rufus log and consider these causes:
- Controlled Folder Access or antivirus software is locking the drive.
- Another application has an open handle to the USB.
- A corporate removable-storage policy blocks writing.
- The drive is failing or physically write-protected.
Close programs and follow your organization’s security policy. Do not broadly disable security software on a managed computer; if a security product is responsible, allow Rufus only through an approved procedure.
Rufus ISO download fails with 715-123130
Rufus says this error originates from Microsoft’s ISO-download service and can reflect rate limiting or an IP/location restriction. Download the ISO directly from Microsoft, wait and retry later, and avoid VPNs, proxies, or repeated aggressive downloads. A different network may help where appropriate and lawful.
The USB displays BIOS/LEGACY BOOT OF UEFI-ONLY MEDIA
On a modern Windows 11 PC, reboot into firmware, select UEFI boot, and disable Legacy/CSM if the system supports UEFI. If necessary, recreate the USB using GPT and UEFI (non CSM). Recreating it as MBR/BIOS is a legacy workaround, not the normal Windows 11 recommendation.
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The firmware may reject the UEFI:NTFS boot path, an old bootloader, or a certificate that the platform has revoked. Use current Rufus and a current Microsoft ISO. For the specialized 25H2 certificate case, use Rufus 4.10 or later with Windows 11 25H2 media so Rufus can create Windows UEFI CA 2023-signed bootloaders where applicable. Do not disable Secure Boot as a universal fix.
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Setup still says the PC does not meet requirements
- Confirm that the ISO came from Microsoft and is current.
- Confirm that the PC booted the USB in UEFI mode.
- Check firmware for a disabled TPM, such as Intel PTT or AMD fTPM.
- Check whether the system is still using Legacy/CSM.
- Recreate the USB and select the intended Windows User Experience options before clicking START.
- If Windows 11 24H2 reports missing PopCnt or SSE4.2 support, stop. Rufus cannot bypass those processor instructions.
The local-account option does not appear
Check that the ISO is Windows 11 22H2 or later, that you selected the option in Rufus’s Windows User Experience dialog, and that the network is disconnected when Setup reaches account creation. Also check whether the PC is in Windows S mode. The exact behavior can vary by Rufus version and ISO.
Windows could not parse or process the unattend answer file
This can occur when the online-account or local-account bypass conflicts with Windows S mode. Recreate the USB without the local-account bypass. If possible, remove S mode through Microsoft’s supported Windows process before trying again, or follow the current instructions in the Rufus FAQ.
Setup cannot create or locate a system partition
Rufus documents a platform-specific workaround for this edge case:
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- Unplug the Rufus USB.
- Continue until Setup reports the location or system-partition error.
- Reconnect the USB.
- Refresh the disk list and continue.
This is not a first-line procedure. Verify the destination disk carefully and consult the current Rufus FAQ for the exact situation before unplugging media during Setup.
Windows Setup starts again after every restart
The PC is probably booting from the USB again because the USB is first in the permanent boot order. Remove the USB after the appropriate restart or restore the internal Windows drive as the first boot device. If the installation was interrupted, boot from the USB once more and check whether Setup can resume; do not begin deleting partitions again without confirming the installation state.
Rufus alternatives
| Alternative | Best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Media Creation Tool | Readers who want Microsoft’s guided USB-creation process. | Requires an internet connection, erases the selected media, and creates x64 media rather than ARM installation media. |
Mount the ISO and run setup.exe |
An in-place upgrade or repair install from a working Windows desktop. | Not the normal route for a blank PC or a computer that cannot boot Windows. |
| Windows Reset or Recovery | Repairing or resetting a working Windows installation without manually creating USB media. | Reset options differ: some preserve personal files, while a full reinstall is more destructive. |
| Ventoy and similar tools | Carrying multiple ISO files on one bootable drive. | Adds another boot layer and is not necessarily simpler than Rufus for one Windows installer. |
Final checks before you click START
- Have you chosen clean install or in-place upgrade?
- Is your backup complete and is your BitLocker recovery key available?
- Is the ISO from Microsoft and appropriate for x64 or ARM64 hardware?
- Does the Rufus executable identify Akeo Consulting as its publisher?
- Is the selected Rufus device definitely the USB you intend to erase?
- For a modern PC, are the settings GPT and UEFI (non CSM)?
- Are you treating any hardware bypass as unsupported and non-guaranteed?
- Do you have the correct license or digital entitlement for the Windows edition?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Rufus activate Windows 11?
No. Rufus creates installation media only. Activation requires a valid product key, digital license, or other legitimate entitlement for the installed edition. An existing activated PC can usually reactivate online after reinstalling the same edition.
Should I use GPT or MBR for Windows 11?
Use GPT with UEFI (non CSM) for a modern PC and a standard supported installation. MBR/BIOS is intended for special legacy hardware and prevents features such as Secure Boot.
Can I use a Rufus USB for an in-place upgrade?
Yes, but do not boot from it for that purpose. Start the existing Windows installation, open the USB in File Explorer, run setup.exe, and select the appropriate Change what to keep option.
Is installing Windows 11 with Rufus bypasses safe on unsupported hardware?
There is no universal guarantee. Rufus may bypass some installer checks, but Microsoft can classify the device as unsupported, compatibility problems may occur, and updates or support are not guaranteed. CPU instruction requirements such as PopCnt and SSE4.2 cannot be bypassed by Rufus.
Why does Rufus choose NTFS instead of FAT32?
FAT32 cannot store an individual file larger than 4 GB. Some Windows images contain a larger installation file, so Rufus may use NTFS together with its UEFI:NTFS boot mechanism. Leave the default unless you are addressing a specific firmware issue.
The Bottom Line
For most modern PCs, the reliable path is: download the current Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft, run the current Rufus executable from rufus.ie, select the correct USB, use GPT and UEFI (non CSM), and confirm every erase warning. Boot the USB only for a clean installation or a non-booting system; run setup.exe inside Windows for an in-place upgrade. Treat Rufus requirement bypasses as unofficial and unsupported, not as a guarantee that old hardware will work or receive updates.
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