This article shows you how to turn a USB stick into a tool with which to install or load a fully functional operating system on a computer. This is an extremely useful procedure when you need to install a new operating system (for example Windows) from scratch on a computer that does not have a CD / DVD drive. You can create a USB boot drive for both Windows and Mac systems using the "Command Prompt" or "Terminal" window respectively which are both free programs built directly into the system. If you need to create a USB boot drive in order to install the latest version of Windows 10 or Windows 7, you can do so using the "MediaCreationTool" and the "Windows USB / DVD Download Tool" respectively (both distributed free by Microsoft) to format the memory unit. It should be noted that in order to be able to install a new version of a Mac operating system from scratch it is not necessary to use any external memory drive.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use the Windows Command Prompt
Step 1. Plug the USB stick into your computer
Plug it into a free USB port on the system (they have a tapered rectangular shape). USB connectors only have one way that you can plug them into a port, so don't push too hard if you notice that the USB stick doesn't fit easily into the port of your choice, just rotate it 180 °.
You should choose a USB memory drive with a capacity of at least 8GB to ensure that it can hold all the installation files of the operating system you are going to choose
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 3. Type the keywords command prompt in the "Start" menu
This will search your computer for the Windows "Command Prompt" application.
Step 4. Select the "Command Prompt" icon
with the right mouse button.
It has a small black window and should have appeared at the top of the "Start" menu. The relevant context menu will be displayed.
- If you are using a one-button mouse, press the right side of the pointing device or press the single button using two fingers.
- If you're using a computer with a trackpad instead of a mouse, tap it using two fingers or press the lower right side.
Step 5. Choose the Run as administrator option
It is one of the items in the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 6. Press the Yes button when prompted
This will confirm your willingness to open the "Command Prompt" window.
Step 7. Run the command to partition the USB stick
Type the keyword diskpart into the "Command Prompt" and press the Enter key.
You may need to confirm your action before the command is executed
Step 8. Analyze the list of all memory drives connected to your computer
Type the command list disk and press the Enter key.
Step 9. Locate the USB drive you want to make bootable
Look for the name you assigned to the key or its drive letter or refer to the storage capacity to be able to locate it.
- If you can't figure out what your USB key is in the list, try to physically disconnect it from your computer, run the "disk list" command, reconnect the drive to the system and run the "disk list" command again. At this point you should be able to locate the drive to use without a doubt, as it will be the one that appeared after running the "disk list" command for the second time.
- Normally, the USB stick should correspond to the last drive in the list that appeared.
Step 10. Select the USB drive to use
Type the command select disk [number] in the "Command Prompt" window. However, make sure to replace the parameter "[number]" with the number corresponding to the USB stick you went back to by examining the list generated by the "disk list" command, then press the Enter key.
Step 11. Erase the contents of the chosen memory drive
Type the clean command and press the Enter key.
Step 12. Create a new boot partition on the selected USB drive
Follow these simple instructions:
- Type the create partition primary command and press the Enter key;
- Type the command select partition 1 and press the Enter key;
- Type the command active and press the Enter key.
Step 13. Format the newly created partition
Type the command format fs = fat32 quick and press the Enter key.
If you get an error message while formatting the USB drive, try repeating the step using the following format fs = ntfs quick command
Step 14. Assign a drive letter to the USB stick
Type the command assign and press the Enter key. At this point, a confirmation message should appear in the "Command Prompt" window.
Step 15. Close the "Command Prompt" window
The USB key configured in this way can be used as a boot drive, which means that it can accommodate the installation file of an operating system or the hard disk image of your computer that you can then use to install on a second system.
Method 2 of 4: Using the Terminal Window on Mac
Step 1. Plug the USB stick into your computer
Plug it into a free USB or USB-C port on your Mac (the former has a tapered rectangular shape while the latter has a rounded rectangular shape at the ends). USB connectors only have one way that you can plug them into a port, so don't use excessive force if you notice that the USB stick doesn't fit easily into the port of your choice, just rotate it 180 °.
- USB-C ports don't have a compelling sense to connect, so you don't have to worry about orienting the stick correctly in this case.
- You should choose a USB memory drive with a capacity of at least 8GB to ensure that it can hold all the installation files of the operating system you are going to choose.
Step 2. Make sure you have the ISO file of the operating system you want to install
If you need to create a USB boot drive for Mac, you will also need to get the operating system ISO file (or hard drive image file if you have a backup of your computer available) which you will need to drag and drop into the window "Terminal".
The Mac operating system handles USB boot drives differently than Windows, as in the latter case, you can create a blank USB boot drive to add the Windows installation file to later
Step 3. Enter the Spotlight search field by clicking the icon
It features a magnifying glass and is located in the upper right corner of the screen. A small search bar will appear.
Step 4. Type in the terminal keywords
The Mac will search for the "Terminal" application.
Step 5. Select the "Terminal" icon
with a double click of the mouse.
It has a small black square and is visible in the Spotlight search results list. This will open a "Terminal" window.
Step 6. View the list of all memory drives connected to the computer
Type the command diskutil list and press the Enter key.
Step 7. Locate the USB drive you want to make bootable
Look for the name of the USB key you connected to your Mac in the list that appears, then look at the value in the "IDENTIFIER" column. Normally the removable memory units are listed in the "(external, physical)" section of the table in question which is visible in the lower part of the "Terminal" window.
The identification of the USB key in question, shown in the "IDENTIFIER" column, should be similar to "disk1" or "disk2"
Step 8. Select the USB drive to configure
Type the command diskutil unmountDisk / dev / [drive_id], then press the Enter key. Make sure you replace the "[drive_id]" parameter with the value in the "IDENTIFIER" column found in the previous step (for example disk2).
Step 9. Set the command to format the USB device
Type the command sudo dd if =, but without pressing the Enter key.
Step 10. Drag the ISO file (or hard drive image) you have chosen to use as your boot drive into the "Terminal" window
In this way the complete path of the selected file will be automatically entered in the command line of the "Terminal" window.
Alternatively, you can manually enter the path to the ISO file to use
Step 11. Press the Spacebar on your keyboard
A blank space will be inserted at the end of the chosen file path giving you the option to complete the command with other parameters.
Step 12. Complete the format command syntax
Type the text string of = / dev / [drive_id] bs = 1m and press the Enter key. Also in this case the parameter "[ID_unit]" must be replaced with the value present in the "IDENTIFIER" column identified in the previous steps (for example disk2).
Step 13. Provide your Mac login password
This is the same security password you use to log into your account. As you type, you will notice that no characters will be visible on the screen. This is normal, so don't worry.
Step 14. Press the Enter key
If the password you entered is correct, the operating system will make the indicated USB drive bootable using the specified ISO file or image file.
This step can take several hours to complete, so don't close the "Terminal" window and plug your Mac into the mains so the battery doesn't drain completely
Method 3 of 4: Create a Boot Drive for Windows 10 Setup
Step 1. Understand when to use this method
Windows 10's "MediaCreationTool" program is a tool that can create a USB boot drive that you can use to install Windows 10 on any compatible computer. This method is only useful if you need to create a Windows 10 USB installation drive using another Windows system.
Step 2. Go to the Windows 10 installation web page
At this address you can download the program with which you can create a USB boot drive.
Step 3. Plug the USB stick into your computer
Plug it into a free USB port on the system (they have a tapered rectangular shape). USB connectors only have one way that you can plug them into a port, so don't use excessive force if you notice that the USB stick doesn't fit easily into the port of your choice, just rotate it 180 °.
You should choose a USB memory drive with a capacity of at least 8GB to ensure that it can hold all the installation files of the operating system you are going to choose
Step 4. Press the Download Tool Now button
It is blue in color and is located in the left center of the page. This will ask you to select a folder in which to save the program installation file.
Step 5. Launch the installation tool
Double-click its icon, then press the button Yup when required.
The "MediaCreationTool" installation file should be visible inside the default browser folder used to save content downloaded from the web (for example the "Download" or "Desktop" folder)
Step 6. Press the Accept button
It is located at the bottom of the "MediaCreationTool" program window.
Step 7. Select the "Create installation media for another PC" option
It is visible in the center of the window.
Step 8. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower right corner of the installation window.
Step 9. Press the Next button again
This will use your computer's configuration options to create the Windows 10 setup procedure.
If you need to use a different language from the one you are currently using, to select a different version of Windows 10 or to choose a different hardware architecture (for example 32-bit), deselect the "Use recommended settings for this PC "and change the options as desired before pressing the button Come on.
Step 10. Choose the "USB Flash Drive" item
It is located in the upper left of the program window.
Step 11. Press the Next button
Step 12. Select the USB key to use
Click the drive name you want to use as the USB boot drive for the Windows 10 installation.
Step 13. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower right part of the window. In this way the "MediaCreationTool" program will format the indicated USB memory device to transform it into a Windows 10 installation drive. The process includes formatting the device (thus deleting all data inside it), creating a boot partition and adding the Windows 10 installation ISO file.
Method 4 of 4: Create a Boot Drive for Windows 7 Setup
Step 1. Plug the USB stick into your computer
Plug it into a free USB port on the system (they have a tapered rectangular shape). USB connectors only have one way in which you can plug them into a port, so don't push too hard if you notice that the USB stick doesn't fit easily into the port of your choice, just rotate it 180 °.
You should choose a USB memory drive with a capacity of at least 4GB to ensure that it can hold all the installation files of the operating system you are going to choose
Step 2. Get the Windows 7 ISO file
Follow these instructions:
- Access the web page where you can download the Windows 7 installation file;
- Type in the product key of your copy of Windows 7;
- Push the button Verify;
- Select the language you prefer;
- Push the button Confirmation;
- At this point, select one of the options Download (choose whether to download the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7).
Step 3. Access the following web page
This is the web page from which you can download the "Windows USB / DVD Download Tool" program, which allows you to create a USB boot drive to install Windows 7 on any compatible system.
Step 4. Press the Download button
It is orange in color and is located in the left center of the page.
Step 5. Choose your preferred language
Select the check button for the version of the program localized in the language you want to be used for the relative graphic interface. For example, if you need to use the Italian version, you will need to select the file with the initials "it-IT" at the end of the name.
Step 6. Press the Next button
It is blue in color and located at the bottom right of the page. The chosen installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 7. Install the Windows 7 USB / DVD Download Tool software
Double-click the corresponding installation file icon, then follow the instructions in the wizard.
Step 8. Launch the program
At the end of the installation select the "Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool" icon, which appears on the desktop, with a double click of the mouse. A new dialog will appear.
If prompted, press the button Yup to proceed with the execution of the program.
Step 9. Select the Windows 7 installation ISO file
Push the button Browse, then click the ISO file icon you downloaded in the previous steps and press the button You open.
Step 10. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower right part of the window.
Step 11. Press the USB Device button
It is visible in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 12. Select the USB drive you want to use
Click the icon with the name of the USB device you have chosen to use.
Step 13. Press the Copy button
It is located in the lower right corner of the program window. In this way the application will make the selected USB drive bootable and add the Windows 7 installation file.
