How to create bootable Windows 11 24H2 USB install media

Whether you’re doing a clean install or upgrading a system, having a bootable USB for Windows 11 24H2 makes things faster, cleaner, and way more reliable than fiddling with DVDs or flaky network installs. Here’s how to make one from scratch.

What You’ll Need

• A USB flash drive (8GB minimum, 16GB recommended)
• A Windows PC
• Windows 11 24H2 ISO file
• Rufus (free tool to create bootable drives)

🔒 Important: Back up your USB drive first. This process will erase everything on it.

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO

1. Head to the official Microsoft download page.
2. Scroll down to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).
3. Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO) > click Download.
4. Choose your language > click Confirm.
5. Click 64-bit Download to begin.

Step 2: Download and Launch Rufus

1. Go to https://rufus.ie.
2. Download the latest version.
3. Open the .exe file — no installation needed.

Step 3: Plug In Your USB Drive

Insert the USB drive into your PC. Rufus should detect it automatically.

Step 4: Create the Bootable USB

1. In Rufus:
   • Device: Select your USB drive.
   • Boot selection: Click Select, then choose the Windows 11 24H2 ISO you downloaded.
   • Image option: Choose Standard Windows installation.
   • Partition scheme: Use GPT if your PC uses UEFI (most modern systems), or MBR for legacy BIOS.
2. Leave file system as NTFS or FAT32 (NTFS is fine unless you’re booting on a strict UEFI system).
3. Click Start.

⚠️ Optional tweak: Rufus can skip the TPM and Secure Boot checks. A prompt may appear — you can enable these bypasses if you’re installing on unsupported hardware.

4. Wait for Rufus to finish (usually takes a few minutes).
5. Safely eject the USB.

Step 5: Boot From the USB

1. Insert the USB into the target PC.
2. Power it on and press the key to enter the boot menu (usually F12, Esc, Del, or F9 depending on your system).
3. Select your USB drive and hit Enter.
4. The Windows 11 installer will launch — you’re ready to install.

Final Tips

• Make sure your PC meets the requirements for Windows 11 24H2, or use Rufus’s bypass features if not.
• For clean installs, choose “Custom” in the setup and delete old partitions.
• Keep your product key handy — though most Windows 10/11 licenses auto-activate if linked to your Microsoft account.

Wrapping Up

That’s it — simple, quick, and no fluff. With your bootable USB, you’re ready to install or reinstall Windows 11 24H2 on any compatible system. Bookmark this guide and keep that USB handy — it’s a great tool for troubleshooting or setting up new machines.