Windows 11 Media Creation Tool: USB Installation

Updated By - December 7, 2024

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool and USB Installation: Installing or upgrading to Windows 11 can be a simple and straightforward process, especially with the help of the official Windows Media Creation Tool. This tool allows you to create a bootable USB drive that can be used to install Windows 11 on any compatible PC.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool USB Installer
Whether you're upgrading your current OS or performing a fresh install, you can follow this step by step tutorial to efficiently create Windows 11 USB installation media and install the latest operating system from Microsoft ~ on a bootable USB drive.

Make a USB Installer | Windows 11 Media Creation Tool

This tutorial walks you through the steps to use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 11. Be sure to back up your USB drive before proceeding as your selected USB drive will be overwritten.

Step 1: Download Windows Media Creation Tool

  1. Visit the Microsoft website.
  2. Locate the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section.
  3. Click on the Download Now button to download the Media Creation Tool.

Step 2: Prepare Your USB Drive

  1. Insert a fast USB flash drive into your computer (minimum 8 GB storage capacity is recommended).
  2. Important: Backup any data on the USB drive, as the Media Creation Tool will erase all files during the process.

Step 3: Run the Media Creation Tool

  1. Open the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file.
  2. If prompted, click Yes to allow the program to make changes to your device.
  3. Read the license terms, then click Accept to continue.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Accept License Screen

Step 4: Select Language and Windows Edition

  1. Choose your preferred Language and Edition of Windows 11.
  2. Click Next to continue.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Select Language and Edition Screen

Step 5: Choose Installation Media and USB Drive

  1. On the next screen, select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
  2. Click Next to proceed.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool: Choose USB flash drive option
Select your USB flash drive from the list. If it doesn’t appear, click Refresh.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool: Select USB flash drive from the list
The Media Creation Tool will now begin downloading the Windows 11 installation files.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Downloading Installation Files
Once the download is complete, it will proceed to create the Windows 11 installation media on your USB drive.

Creating Windows 11 USB Installation Media

Step 6: Reboot from the USB Bootable Installer

  1. Leave the bootable USB flash drive connected, then reboot your computer.
  2. Access your system BIOS/UEFI settings and set the USB drive as your first boot device. (This is often done by pressing F2, F10, or DEL during startup, depending on your computer.)
  3. Save the changes and restart your PC. It should now boot from the USB Windows 11 Installer.

FAQ: Windows Media Creator Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding using the Windows Media Creation tool to make a Windows 11 Bootable USB Installer:

Can I use this tool to upgrade directly to Windows 11?

Yes! The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool also provides an option to upgrade your current PC directly to Windows 11. Instead of selecting "Create installation media," choose the upgrade option when prompted.

Do I need a product key to use the Windows Media Creation Tool?

No, the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool itself doesn’t require a product key. However, you will need a valid product key to activate Windows after installation if you don’t already have one linked to your Microsoft account or system hardware.

What are the system requirements for Windows 11 installation?

Before installing Windows 11, ensure your PC meets the system requirements, including a compatible processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card. Check Microsoft’s official Windows 11 requirements page for more details.

Can I use the same bootable USB drive for multiple installations?

Yes, as long as the USB drive remains intact, you can use it on multiple compatible PCs. Keep in mind that the Windows license applies to one PC unless you have additional licenses.

What if my PC doesn’t boot from the USB drive?

Make sure the USB drive is set as the first boot device in your BIOS/UEFI settings. If the issue persists, try recreating the installation media using a different USB drive or port.

Can I create a Windows 11 bootable USB on a Mac?

Yes, it is possible to create a Windows 11 bootable USB on a Mac using tools like Boot Camp Assistant or third party software. However, the process differs from using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool on a Windows PC.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a bootable USB installation drive for Windows 11 using the Media Creation Tool. Use this drive to install or upgrade Windows 11 on your PC. If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to contact me to let me know so that I can update this guide. If you found this segment useful, you might also want to check out how to make a Windows bootable USB using YUMI. A Multiboot USB tool that allows you to store and then run Multiple Windows Setup Installers and Live Linux ISO files from one bootable USB.