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How to Create a Bootable USB in Windows Using CMD

By / November 23, 2024
Create Bootable USB Using Command Prompt (CMD)

Creating a bootable USB using the command prompt is essential when we have limited access to the system. In this guide, I will show you how to create a bootable USB using CMD on Windows machines. This makes it ideal for creating boot drives for installing operating systems, even if you do not have full access to the Graphical Interface of the Windows machines. Follow these steps carefully, and remember to back up your USB data beforehand.

Prerequisites: A Windows computer, An 8GB or larger USB drive, ISO file for the operating system you want to install.

Steps to Boot USB with CMD

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

  1. Press the Windows key + X.
  2. Select Command Prompt (Admin) or Terminal (Admin) to launch the command prompt environment for boot USB.
  3. Click Yes to grant permission if asked.
Click Windows Key plus X Key and then click Command Prompt (Admin) or Terminal (Admin) for creating bootable USB using command prompt (CMD)

Launch DiskPart Utility

In the Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter.
This will open the DiskPart utility, a key tool for creating a bootable USB using CMD.

Type diskpart in the command prompt. This utility is needed for booting USB via command prompt (CMD) in Windows

List Disks and Select Your USB Drive

  1. Type list disk and press Enter to display all connected storage devices.
  2. Locate your USB drive (e.g., Disk 1).
  3. Type select disk X (replace X with your USB drive number) and press Enter.
listing and selecting the usb disk you need to boot iso file.

Clean the USB Drive

Type clean and press Enter.
This erases all data on the drive, preparing it for a clean setup.

clean command in windows command prompt to clean the disk before making the USB bootable with CMD utility.

Create a New Partition

Type create partition primary and press Enter.
This creates the main partition for the USB via the command prompt for the boot process.

Command Prompt showing the create partition primary command which is needed for boot process.

Format the Partition

Type format fs=fat32 label=Linux quick and press Enter.
This formats the partition to FAT32 with the label “Linux.”

Command Prompt with the format command being executed.

Set the Partition as Active

Type active and press Enter.
This step is crucial for enabling the partition to boot as part of the USB bootable command prompt process.

set the partition as active by entering active command

Assign a Drive Letter

Type assign and press Enter.
A new drive letter will appear for the USB drive in Windows Explorer.

Assigning a Drive letter is needed for boot usb

Copy Files to the USB Drive

  1. Open File Explorer and locate the ISO file for your operating system.
  2. Right-click the ISO file and select Mount.
  3. Highlight all files in the mounted ISO and drag them to the USB drive.
Mount and copy the files from ISO to USB to boot ISO

Safely Eject the USB Drive

  1. Right-click the USB drive in File Explorer.
  2. Select Eject to safely remove it.

Testing Phase: Restart your computer, access the BIOS or boot menu, and select the USB drive as the boot device. This ensures the bootable USB CMD process works successfully.

Using the command prompt, we created a bootable drive following this guide. If you found this guide helpful, please share it with others while taking advantage of the powerful Windows RDP by Veeble.

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