Creating a bootable USB key to reinstall Windows 10 or install another operating system isn’t necessarily a trivial process. But the tools in this selection will help you not spend too much time on it.
1. Official Windows tool to create USB installation media
- The only truly official method recommended by Microsoft
- very easy to use
- Limited to a handful of Windows versions
- It is impossible to deviate from the basic parameters
I’official Microsoft installation media creation tool It is arguably the best solution if you want to create a bootable installation volume for Windows 10. The wizard is simple and quite limited, but it does the job perfectly without asking you any questions or requiring you to define complex parameters. To use it, simply download the wizard by clicking the link below and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
2. Rufus, well-known reference for hackers
- One of the most popular tools on the internet with lots of resources to help you
- Automatically detects optimal settings based on your ISO
- Lets you edit everything with very advanced features
- Not limited to Windows
- It can be very complicated especially if you just want to reinstall Windows 10
- Not necessarily the fastest vehicle
- very easy to use
- Extensive selection of operating systems and troubleshooting tools
- The program can self-download the correct ISO if needed.
- pretty fast
- Fewer options to customize
- very easy to use
- Extensive selection of operating systems and troubleshooting tools
- The program can self-download the correct ISO if needed.
- Few options to customize settings
- Error with NTFS file system
- More complete than its competitors
- Wide choice of operating systems
- Wide variety of bootloader options (grub4dos, syslinux, QEMU…)
- Wide variety of troubleshooting tools (DiskDoctor, Speed Tests…)
- Ability to create configuration files to automate everything
- Large community of users to assist you
- A little complicated to use
- A little slow when creating volumes
- Very easy to use
- Automatically fills in the correct settings based on your ISO
- It can automatically download your ISO
- The ability to customize the media anyway (file format, bootloader, etc.)
- Possibility to create a multiboot USB key
- Includes a tool to test if your USB key is truly bootable without the need to restart the computer
- Ability to automate the process via configuration files
- Little bit slow
- The tool is less known and has a smaller user base
The last tool in our selection is much less well known, but we appreciate its qualities compared to other tools. WinToFlash comes in two versions – we’re talking about the Lite version, which is completely free.. What’s pretty cool about this program is, easy to use, while allowing you to define specific parameters if you wish. It allows you to create multiboot USB keys and it is possible to automate processes with configuration files like some competitors. Moreover, It is one of the only tools that offers a boot test for your USB key without having to restart the computer. and/or change your BIOS settings. However, in case there is a problem, you may have a little more trouble finding help in French with this selection than the tools in the pole position. However, you will have the option to upgrade to the paid version and take advantage of the developer’s help.
