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Install Windows 11 with Rufus and a USB Drive
What is Rufus?
Rufus is a free, lightweight Windows program that turns an ISO file into a bootable USB drive. An ISO file is a single image of a complete installation disc – in our case, the entire Windows 11 setup packed into one file. "Bootable" means your computer can start directly from this USB drive and begin the installation.
Compared with Microsoft's official Media Creation Tool, Rufus gives you more control over the settings (for example the partition style, GPT or MBR, and the target system, UEFI or BIOS). Rufus is popular when the Media Creation Tool doesn't work, or when you already have a downloaded ISO file you want to reuse.
Download only from official sources
Open rufus.ie or the developer page github.com/pbatard/rufus. At the time of writing, the current version is Rufus 4.15 (as of July 2026). Check the official site to see which version is actually being offered there, since new versions are released regularly.
Installer or portable version?
Rufus is available in two versions. The installer version installs the program on your PC in the usual way. The portable version doesn't need to be installed – you simply run the downloaded file directly. For one-off use, the portable version is convenient; both versions offer the same features.
What you'll need
- A USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage. Note: creating the drive erases its entire contents.
- The official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft.
- The Rufus program from rufus.ie or github.com/pbatard/rufus.
- A working Windows PC to prepare the drive (Rufus runs on Windows).
- For Windows 11: a target PC that meets the minimum requirements (including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot). TPM 2.0 is a security chip, Secure Boot is a firmware-level startup protection.
- A valid Windows license or a product key matching the chosen edition.
Before you start
- Back up all important files on the target PC to an external drive or the cloud – a clean install erases the data on the system partition.
- Copy any important data off the USB drive you plan to use with Rufus – it will be completely erased too.
- Write down your product key, or check whether a digital license is linked to your Microsoft account.
- Download important device drivers (Wi-Fi, network, storage controller) from the manufacturer in case no internet connection is available.
- Keep laptops plugged into power during the installation.
Step by step: creating the USB drive and installing
1Download the official Windows 11 ISO
Open the official Microsoft page microsoft.com/de-de/software-download/windows11. In the ISO download section, choose the edition and language, then download the ISO file. Use only this original ISO from Microsoft – never a file from forums, torrents, or third parties.
2Download and launch Rufus
Download Rufus from rufus.ie and launch the program. For the portable version, simply double-click the file. Only confirm any Windows security prompts if you really downloaded the file from the official site.
3Select the correct USB drive
Plug in the USB drive. Select it at the top in the "Device" field. Check very carefully that you've selected the right drive – the entire contents of the selected drive will be erased. For safety, unplug any other USB drives.
4Select the ISO file
Next to "Boot selection", click SELECT and choose the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded earlier. Rufus reads the file and then suggests suitable settings.
5Set the GPT partition scheme and UEFI target system
Set the partition scheme to GPT and the target system to UEFI (non CSM). Explanation: GPT is the modern partition format that Windows 11 requires. UEFI is your PC's modern firmware (the successor to classic BIOS). This combination is the correct one for Windows 11.
6Check the file system and label
Rufus usually suggests NTFS as the file system, which is suitable for Windows 11. You can leave the "volume label" (the drive's name) as it is. Only change the remaining advanced settings if you know exactly what they do.
7Start the creation process
Click START. Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be erased. Only confirm if the correct drive is selected. Rufus then begins writing the files to the drive – depending on the drive, this can take a few minutes.
8Note the "Windows User Experience" window
Depending on the version, Rufus shows the "Windows User Experience" window before creating the drive. Here you can enable extra options, such as setting up without a Microsoft account or disabling data collection. For a regular, standard-compliant installation, you can simply confirm this window with the default settings. The labels and available options may vary depending on the Rufus version.
9Boot from the target PC's boot menu
Insert the finished drive into the target PC and turn it on. Open the boot menu (the key varies by manufacturer, often F12, F9, Esc, or Delete) and select the USB drive in UEFI mode. Check with your device manufacturer to find out which key applies to your device. You'll find detailed guidance in our article on the UEFI, BIOS, and boot menu.
10Perform a clean installation
Windows Setup starts. Choose your language and keyboard, then enter the product key when prompted (or choose "I don't have a product key" if a digital license is linked to your account). For a clean reinstall, choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)". Delete the old partitions on the system drive there and select the free space – Windows will automatically create the partitions in GPT format. Then follow the wizard through to the desktop.
Common problems and solutions
| Problem | Cause and official fix |
|---|---|
| "This PC can't run Windows 11" | The hardware doesn't meet a requirement: unsupported CPU, TPM 2.0 disabled, Secure Boot off, less than 4 GB RAM, or under 64 GB of storage. Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in the firmware and check the PC with the PC Health Check tool. |
| GPT/MBR error ("The selected disk has the GPT partition style") | Boot the USB drive in UEFI mode. Alternatively, in the custom installation, delete all partitions and select the free space – Windows will automatically format it as GPT. |
| "No drives were found" | The storage controller driver is often missing (for example Intel RST/VMD). Use "Load driver" to load the appropriate driver from the PC or motherboard manufacturer (not from Microsoft). |
| Product key not accepted | The edition must match the license (for example a Home key with the Home edition). On OEM devices, activation often happens via the key stored in the firmware, or via the digital license. |
You'll find more error scenarios and fixes in our guide Fixing installation errors.
After installation
- Open Settings → Windows Update and install all available updates.
- Check Device Manager to make sure all drivers are present; download any missing drivers from the device manufacturer.
- Check under Settings → System → Activation whether Windows is activated.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account if needed, to link the digital license.
- Restore your backed-up data and reinstall your programs.
Activation
Windows 11 is activated using a valid product key or a digital license linked to your Microsoft account. It's important that the installed edition matches the license – a Home key only activates Windows 11 Home, a Pro key only Windows 11 Pro. On preinstalled (OEM) devices, Setup often reads the key automatically from the firmware, so no manual entry is needed. Rufus doesn't affect activation in any way; the program simply creates the bootable installation drive.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Rufus free and safe?
Which Rufus version should I use?
GPT or MBR – which is correct for Windows 11?
Will my USB drive be erased when creating the installer?
Can I keep my data with Rufus?
Do I need to use a modified ISO?
Which key opens the boot menu?
Matching licenses
Still need a matching Windows license for your edition? You'll find the right products in our shop.
More guides
The guide covering all methods and editions at a glance.
The official, easy way to a bootable USB drive.
The unsupported method with Rufus – with all the risks explained.
Opening the firmware, enabling TPM and Secure Boot, booting from USB.
Solutions for the most common error messages during installation.
Sources
- Rufus – official site: https://rufus.ie
- Rufus – developer page: https://github.com/pbatard/rufus
- Download Windows 11 (Microsoft): https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/software-download/windows11
- Windows 11 system requirements: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/windows-11-specifications
- Installing Windows 11 (Microsoft Support): https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/windows-11-installieren
- Enabling TPM 2.0: Microsoft Support
- Secure Boot: Microsoft Support
Last updated: July 2026
