So you want to reinstall Windows 10, or maybe dual-boot with Linux? Then (especially with Linux) you are like "How to I make the ISO installable from?" Then you've come to the right place. Use this software called Rufus (rufus.akeo.ie). Its really fast and can use about any ISO you have!
Rufus has caused a lot of issues for people who haven't picked the correct settings. I personally avoid it because there are much more reliable methods to create a bootable USB flash drive that is bootable in both UEFI and legacy BIOS computers.
Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive
To make the USB universally bootable between UEFI and legacy BIOS, use FAT32 file system at step 9:
9. To format the partition, type format fs=FAT32 quick, and then click ENTER.
For step 12, mount your ISO file and copy all the files and folders from the mounted ISO file to the USB flash drive and you're done. If you are Windows, you need a mounting program like WinISO:
How do I mount iso image file in Windows 7?
Windows 8 and Windows 10 mount ISO files natively, just right click ISO file and select Mount.
The only downside to formatting the USB flash drive as FAT32 instead of NTFS is the file size limit.
A few days ago on another forum, a guy from a media company claiming to be experts in pc's posted a video showing how to create a bootable usb drive using diskpart and told everyone to use commands like active (not used for uefi of course), and insisted you should use ntfs.
I told him you have to use fat32 for a uefi pc, and he replied NTFS was better due to file size limit! So much for experts eh - LOL!
He's partially right, NTFS formatting is required when a file reaches 4GB, or as some say, 4GB plus 1Byte. FAT32 formatting has a few limitations and some are also based on the Operating System. When it comes to booting NTFS usually isn't the proper choice, but it may depend a lot on what the BIOS allows.I told him you have to use fat32 for a uefi pc, and he replied NTFS was better due to file size limit! So much for experts eh - LOL!
I can install in UEFI mode with an NTFS formatted thumb drive on my ASUS laptop. Won't work on my wife's Acer though. Both are UEFI. I think the safe bet for most people is to use Fat 32 for their install media. I don't put anything else on that thumb drive. I use 8 gig thumb drives for install drives.
Ok I see that in order to boot from ntfs in uefi, the bios has to have ntfs boot modules built in.
This is not a common feature. The uefi standard is for fat32 and gives greatest compatibility. My original point still basically stands as that advice was being given that would fail on most (not all though as I thought) devices.
Diskpart is dangerous in the hands of a novice and should not be used to setup a drive, much simpler to create and use a PW Boot CD or let the installer do its thing.
I prefer a MBR drive, nice and clean :) I had it installed EFI on a GPT, looked silly
Quote
I prefer to use diskpart over Rufus. My (fat 32) install thumb drives work with both UEFI and legacy BIOS.
