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How to use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive

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Why This Matters

This guide explains how to create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, a crucial step for installing or reinstalling Windows 11 on compatible PCs. It simplifies the process for users, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical audiences, and ensures they can prepare their devices for a clean OS installation.

Key Takeaways
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Download the Media Creation Tool

Head to Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page, where you'll see three options. The first is for installing Windows 11 on you current machine, while the last one downloads an ISO for advanced use. We'll cover that later; for now, click Download Now under Create Windows 11 Installation Media. This gives you a small file called MediaCreationTool.exe.

Run the tool as an administrator

Right-click on the downloaded file and select Run as administrator. Don't skip this step, since the tool won't work properly without admin rights. It should ask you for admin privileges if you open it normally, but it's better to be sure. Once the tool loads, read through the license terms and click Accept to continue.

Select USB Flash Drive

On the Select language and edition screen, the Use the recommended options box should already be checked and the correct language listed; uncheck this and change that if needed. On the next screen, pick USB flash drive. If you haven't plugged in the drive yet, do so now, then click Next and choose it from the list.

Double-check that you've picked the correct drive, because this tool will erase everything on it.

Wait for the download and creation process

From here, the tool starts downloading Windows 11 and writing a bootable version of it to your USB drive. This can take a while depending on your internet speed, PC performance and USB write speeds. Let it run without interruption.

You're ready to install Windows 11

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