Rufus
WindowsCreate bootable USB drives quickly and reliably for Windows systems
Overview
Rufus is a lightweight, portable system utility for Windows that enables fast creation of bootable USB drives from ISO images (Windows, Linux, and other OSes). It supports UEFI and BIOS boot modes, fast drive formatting (FAT32, NTFS, exFAT), bad sector checks, and seamless integration with Windows’ file system tools. Compatible with Windows 10/11, it requires no installation, has a small footprint (under 2MB), and is ideal for OS installation, system troubleshooting, or running live environments from USB.
Key Features
- Create bootable USBs from Windows/Linux ISO files
- UEFI & BIOS boot mode compatibility
- Portable (no installation required)
- Fast drive formatting & bad sector verification
- Supports Windows 10/11 and multiple file systems
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is Rufus compatible with Windows 11?
Yes, Rufus fully supports Windows 11, including creating bootable USBs for Windows 11 installations with options to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot compatibility.
? Is it safe to install?
Rufus is safe—its open-source code is hosted on GitHub for transparency, and it requires no installation. Always download from the official site (rufus.ie) to avoid malicious copies.
? Is there a portable version?
Rufus is inherently portable. You can run it directly from the executable file without installing it, making it perfect for use on any Windows PC or USB drive.
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Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Free and open-source software
- ⊕ Extremely lightweight (under 2MB)
- ⊕ Blazing-fast performance compared to alternatives
- ⊕ No installation needed (run directly from USB)
- ⊕ Regular updates for Windows compatibility
Cons
- ⊖ Windows-exclusive (no macOS/Linux support)
- ⊖ Limited to USB drives (no DVD/CD creation)
- ⊖ Advanced settings may confuse novice users