Bootable USB

How to Create Bootable USB By Using Etcher?

Bootable USB Softwares can be used to create a bootable USB device. For anyone who uses a Windows OS, it is always suggested to have a bootable USB device.

In this article, you will find 10 of the best software that can help you create a bootable USB device.

Best Bootable USB Softwares

Etcher

Rufus Is a really good software which is of a gold standard but there is one very big limitation to it which is that it only works for Windows OS. On the other hand, Etcher supports all important platforms like macOS, and also supports all sorts of imaging systems like IMG, DMG, ISO, etc. Also, Etcher is free.

Also, it is very simple to use Etcher. It is a simple 3 step process and you just have to select an image, a USB device, and click flash. Etcher is quick too but not as quick as Rufus.

Etcher has Image Validation which is a very important program that helps to verify the image and the drive. This is even before flashing it. So, in case your USB drive is corrupt, you will know before you flash it.

Pros

  • Image Validation verifies the image and the drive.

  • Easy and simple to use.

  • Flashing Is quick.

  • Supports all important system images and OS.


Cons

  • Lacks the ability to perform more advanced tweaking.


Available on – macOS, Linux, and Windows.


Install from - Etcher Official Website Here (Free) Or any trusted third party website like https://truzine.com


PowerISO


Apart from making bootable USB features, this can give you a lot more. With PowerISO, you can convert image formats into ISO, virtual drives, mounting disks, and a few more. The time required for flashing is similar to Rufus.


The best part of PowerISO is that it does not confuse users with a lot of advanced features. Note that PowerISO works only for Windows OS. Also, it only works for ISO images.


Pros

  • If you are looking for a flashing Windows OS, this is the best.

  • Quick at image flashing.


Cons

  • Neither supports macOS nor Linux.

  • Only for ISO images.

Available on - Windows OS


Install from - PowerISO Download Official Website (Free, $ 29.95, One Time Purchase)


Media Creation Tool


It was designed by Microsoft. This was to install Windows 10 in your system. It first allows you to download Windows 10 from the server of Microsoft and then automatically makes a bootable USB. You won't need to do anything manually. It figures out your system's architecture, detects the configuration that is compatible for your system, and downloads the latest and the best suitable Windows 10 ISO image for you.


However, unlike Rufus, it takes a lot of time to make a bootable USB drive. On the other side, if you don’t want to download anything or work manually, you can use this tool. It will do everything for you automatically.


Pros


  • Easy and simple to use.

  • Automatically, downloads and flashes the latest most suitable Windows 10 image.

Cons

  • Slower as compared to Rufus

  • Only for Windows

Available on – Windows

Install from - Media Creation Tool Download Official Website (Free)


UNebootin


It is a very small-sized tool specifically very good for Linux and Ubuntu. It is there on all important platforms like Linux, Windows, and macOS. The speed of flashing of UNebootin is really quick too giving good competition to Rufus. It’s the best for Linux or Ubuntu.

Pros

  • All important platforms are supported.

  • Very quick with flashing images.

  • Best for Linux and Ubuntu.


Cons

  • Only supports the file format of Linux.

Available on – macOS, Linux, and Windows


Universal USB Installer


It was specifically made for distributions based on Linux but also flashes Windows ISO images properly. For both Windows and Linux, it is a nice alternative for Rufus. It is quite fast as well.

In platform compatibility and performance, it is quite close to Rufus. Here, you will get an built-in USB formatting tool, that can be used to free space in your USB after installing.

Pros

  • Very Quick

  • Great for flashing Linux and Windows images.

Cons

  • macOS is not supported.


Available on – Linux and Windows



Diskmaker X


It is small in size and best suitable for users of macOs. It is very simple to use as well. It is quick and works good too. It also supports Mojave. This is the best alternative to Rufus for macOS. You can also use a native Boot Camp Assistant app to make a Windows bootable USB on some Mac operated system.

Pros

  • Supports Mojave.

  • Best for macOS.


Cons


  • Not available for all the platforms.


Available on – macOS



Win32 Disk Imager


It is an old program. It can help you flash Raspbian, and ARM-based OS on USB sticks and SD cards. The performance of the Win32 Disk Imager is great and so is the speed. It is quite simple to use too. Win32 Disk Imager is the best alternative to Rufus for small projects.

Pros

  • Great Performance.

  • To flash low-level utilities, it is the best.

Cons

  • Desktop-class OS is not supported.

Available on – Linux and Windows



WoeUSB


This app will let you make a Windows bootable USB on a Linux-based system. So, if you work on Ubuntu or say any other Linux distro, this can help you flash Windows ISO images on any removable disk.

With this, in a few clicks, you can make a USB installer with the help of GUI Interface. Also, it supports Windows, even from Vista to Windows 10 (Latest). It is also compatible with MBR partition, older Legacy BIOS, and newer UEFI mode. It is also a great alternative to Rufus.

Pros

  • The speed of flashing is really good.

  • Easy and simple to use.

  • Best for making Windows bootable USB drives on Ubuntu or Linux.


Cons


  • Only works on Linux OS.

Available on – Linux

Install from - WoeUSB Download Official Website (Free)


TransMac


This will help you make a macOS USB that is bootable using a Windows system. The ease of use and procedure is quite similar to that of Rufus. However, it will take a little longer time to flash, but it works well.


Pros


  • Also supports the Apple File system.

  • Great for making macOS USB installers on your Windows system.

Cons

  • Slow.

  • Very Expensive.

Available on – Windows

Install from - TransMac Official Download Website (15-day free trial, $ 59 One Time Purchase )



Windows 7 USB Tool


It allows you to create bootable USB for Windows 8, 7, and XP. It is very straightforward to use. The size is very small and hence flashing is pretty quick too, giving good competition to Rufus. For Windows 8, 7, and XP, this is the best alternative for Rufus.

Pros

  • Very simple and quick.

  • Best for Windows 8, 7, and XP.

Cons


  • Only for Windows.

Available on – Windows

Conclusion


Here we have mentioned all the best bootable USB tools for Windows that you can use. I sincerely hope you found what you were looking for in this article. If this helped, please share it with your friends too. Also, if you know of some other USB tools like these, please tell us in the comment box.