Modern day laptops and systems do not have CD or DVD writers and you need a bootable USB drive to load or install operating systems. There are a lot of tools out there to create bootable USB drives from ISO files. Some tools allow you to create a single OS USB drive while some others are multiboot drive creators. These bootable drives are easy to carry and offer faster writing speeds. Here are the 10 best tested software to make bootable drives.
1. Rufus
Rufus is one of the lightest of the all the software tools. Rufus offered a portable version which you can use without having to install it. The tool automatically detects the USB drive and offers to create a bootable drive using MSDOS, ISO and DD images.
Key Features
- Fastest software
- No installation required
- Supports multiple file system that includes FAT, FAT32, NTFS, UDF, and ExFAT
- Can create a bootable drive for all versions of windows and Linux distributions.
- Option to detect bad sectors in the drive before writing files to a USB
- Easy Interface.
Download Rufus
2. RMPrepUSB
Unlike Rufus, this software requires you to run the setup in order to install it. The installation process is quick and automatically creates a shortcut on the desktop. The best part of this tool is that it is updated regularly. Now let’s peep in to its other specifications.
Key Features
- The interface is complex and cluttered.
- Can create multiple partitions on bootable USB drive
- Capable to create both Windows and Linux bootable drives.
- Read and Write Speed Test of USB drive
- Supports four file systems that include FAT16, FAT32, NTFS and exFAT
- Option to create an ISO file from Bootable Drive
- Recommended for Advanced users
3. Universal USB Installer
This tool is offered by Pendrivelinux.com and can be used to create both Linux and Windows bootable USB disks. It is a 3-step process that involves selecting a pre-defined Linux distros or windows version, browsing ISO file and finally selecting the USB drive.
Key Features
- Supports FAT32 and NTFS file systems.
- Source files include ISO ZIP or DD types
- Easy installation
- User-friendly Interface
- Option to create Anti-Virus rescue disks
- Tool is free to use and Open source
- Regular updates
Download UUI
4. WinToBootic
This is a free tool and does not require any installation. But you need to have a .NET Framework installed in order to run this software. You can create only windows bootable USB drive with this tool and does not support Linux.
Key Features
- No need for installation
- Fast conversion
- Supports windows 7,8, Vista, 2008 and 2012
- Source file types include ISO, DVD, and Folder
- Can create both removable(USB) as well as fixed bootable drive.
- Can drag and drop the source files on the interface.
- Simple Interface.
5. YUMI
YUMI aka Your Universal Multi-Boot Installer is also offered by Pendrivelinux.com. This tool is used to create a bootable USB disk for multiple operating systems, antivirus scanners, and other system tools. It is a free and open source tool.
Key Features
- Quick installation
- Option to download ISO file online
- A large collection of the predefined OS, Anti-virus, and other diagnostic tools.
- Option to view and un-install a particular OS from bootable drive
- Supports NTFS and FAT32 file systems.
- Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems
- Can make an Android Bootable disk
Download YUMI
6. Linux Live USB Creator (LiLi)
This is an open source and free software to create a Live USB drive. As the name suggests, it is used to create only a Linux bootable drive. This tool also tells you if the ISO file is clean or corrupted.
Key Features
- No need to reboot after completion
- Can select from a large number of Linux distros.
- Attractive colorful Interface
- Persistence feature allows you to save and install your own software.
- Source files include ISO, ZIP, and IMG
- Translation to thirty-two different languages
- Option to download source file online
- Software tool cab installed on all versions of windows.
Download LiLi
7. WinSetUp From USB
Originally developed to create a bootable drive for windows (XP) operating systems, this tool is updated to create a bootable disk for multiple operating systems including windows and Linux.
Key Features
- No need for installation.
- Can create both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of windows
- Automatically formats and creates partitions in disk
- Can create a bootable disk along with antivirus rescue disk on a single USB drive
- Being an open source tool, it is updated on regular basis by community members.
- Simple and clear Interface
Download tool
8. UNetBootin
This is another free tool for bootable Live USB creation. It has a collection of pre-defined distributions and system utilities similar to Universal USB installer but the size of the collection is much small compared to UUI. You can download the software for windows, Linux and Mac. (separate files for each OS).
Key Features
- The option of selecting a distribution from their database (online download) and upload the ISO file from the local
- Creation of only Linux and related distributions.
- No need for installation of software
- Easy and Simple to understand Interface.
- Option to create a bootable fixed hard disk and removable USB disk
Download UNetbootIn
9. XBoot
This is yet another multi-boot USB drive creator and can also be used to create a multi-boot ISO file. It is a lightweight application and does not require installation. Presently, it is available to run only on windows operating system.
Key Features
- Drag and Drop facility for uploading ISO files
- Installation not required
- Simple and easy Interface
- Option to edit bootloader
- Supports a number of Linux distros
- Free tool
Download XBoot
10. Passcape ISO Burner
This is one of the best ISO burners to burn ISO imaged on CD/DVD/USB-Drive/SD cards/ZIP drives. The program is portable and does not copy any files on the hard disk. Although it is a free to use software, it provides lifetime tech support.
Key Features
- Supports WinXP to Windows 10
- Simple interface for Beginners
- Option to extract ISO file on local disk
- Lightweight Software
- Need Administrative rights to use all the features.
- Supports most of the DVD-writers and USB drives.
Download PIB
Create a Bootable USB Drive Faster Now
In the year 2017 the sleek Ultrabooks are preferred over heavy laptops and desktop computers, CD drives are vanishing from the hardware. Installation of Windows or Linux is now being done from portable devices like USB or SD cards. Creation of such bootable drives is made easy with these free tools. Which software are you using to create bootable drives? If you are using a tool that is not listed here, share it in the comments section.
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