Know the best programs to create a bootable USB that allows you to run or install one or more operating systems (Windows or GNU / Linux) On your computer.
Do you want to format your PC and install Windows 10 from a USB? Maybe you need to use a rescue tool like Hiren's BootCD?
Previously, it was necessary to burn the operating system or software to a CD / DVD for this task. However, because manufacturers are burying optical drives, USB flash drives come to your rescue.
With the free tools that we will show you later, will be able to create external hard drives / Bootable USB from ISO or IMG image files.
Related: How to download the Windows ISO 10, 8.1 Y 7
Programs to create a bootable USB
Depending on the program you use, you can create a bootable USB (with only one operating system), a multiboot USB (with various operating systems and rescue tools) o un Live USB (which allows you to run the OS without installing it).
YUMI Multiboot
One of the most complete and fastest tools that allows create a multiboot USB with various operating systems (Windows y Linux), recovery programs, antivirus and other applications.
YUMI Multiboot is portable software that has support for BIOS and UEFI firmware. Uses the Syslinux bootloader and also GRUB for GNU distributions / Linux. What's more, allows you to continue using the flash drive to store files.
Download YUMI Multiboot
AUMBI
The newest and little known app on this list is AUMBI, which is very similar to YUMI. This means that it can create multiboot USB drives containing not only operating systems, but also other ISO image files.
AUMBI, what does it mean Instalador Absolute USB MultiBoot, is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 Y 10, incluido Windows To Go (to Create a Portable Windows). In the case of Linux distributions, is compatible with Ubuntu, Elementary OS, Open SUSE, Debian, among others. What's more, you have an option to download the ISO of these distributions without leaving the application.
Download AUMBI
Rufus
Rufus is perhaps the best and fastest portable and open source application for create bootable USB from Windows or some Linux distribution. Unlike previous tools, not multiboot. This means that Rufus can only create a bootable USB drive or external hard drive with a single operating system..
Among its main features is the possibility of choosing the partition scheme (MBR / GPT), the target system (UEFI o BIOS) and the file system (NTFS o FAT32). But if there is something that differentiates it from its competitors, it is that now you can download Windows 10 Y 8.1 con Rufus. You even have the ability to use Windows To Go (for a live Windows to run from a USB drive).
Download Rufus for free | Portatil Rufus
Universal USB Installer
Universal USB Installer, or simply UUI, is a portable tool capable of Create a Live Bootable USB for Linux and Windows.
Powered by Pendrive Linux, the same creator of YUMI, UUI only admite an operating system. Its main feature is the persistence mode, that allows you to save changes on the pendrive as if it were a hard disk. What's more, as Rufus, es compatible con Windows To Go.
Download the universal USB installer
USB download tool / Windows DVD
It is the official Microsoft tool for Create a bootable Windows DVD or USB 10, 8 O 7. Not compatible with Linux distributions.
Originally designed to install Windows 7 on a pc, this program is extremely easy to use. After install it, you just have to select the Windows ISO from 32 O 64 bits, indicate the target device (USB or DVD) and press a button to start copying the files.
Download Windows USB DVD Download Tool
UNetbootin
One of the best known applications that cannot be missing from this list is UNetbootin. A simple program designed to crear un Live USB (the equivalent of Live CD) of the main Linux distributions, like Ubuntu, Fedora, FreeDOS, Kubuntu, etc.
UNetbootin stands out especially for two things: the ability to download the ISO of GNU distributions / Linux and add space to store permanent data (only available for Ubuntu).
Descarga UNetbootin
whale Etcher
Do you want to install Linux on an SD card, USB or hard drive? Then you should try balenaEtcher. It is open source software that allows Burn ISO files, ZIP, IMG on USB flash drives and also on SD memory cards.
Etcher has been created to flash SD cards and can be used to create GNU live drives / Linux. A feature of this program is that it validates the files after flashing. If you want to try it, you have an installable version and a portable one.
Download balenaEtcher
MultiBootUSB
MultiBootUSB is a small open source tool that allows you to create multiple boot drives, compatible with UEFI and BIOS.
Unlike YUMI Multiboot, this software only supports Linux distributions, no Windows versions. In this sense, MultiBootUSB stands out for using SysLinux as a boot loader and for having the persistence function. Thanks to the latter it is possible to save files and changes to the USB.
Descarga MultiBootUSB
Win32 Disk Imager
A simple Windows application very similar to balenaEtcher. Created by ImageWriter, Win32 Disk Imager is a small tool designed to write disc images to SD cards and USB sticks, as well as make backup copies of these devices.
However, can also be used to create bootable SD or USB flash drives from IMG files of Linux distributions (like Raspberry Pi OS).
Descarga Win32 Disk Imager
WinToUSB
If you are looking for a tool that allows you to Create a Windows To Go USB Boot |, should try WinToUSB. The application can convert an ISO file / WIM / ESD / SWM / VHD / Windows VHDX 10, 8 O 7 on a portable version of this operating system, that you can run from your USB or external hard drive.
But that is not all, the program also allows you to transfer Windows from a CDROM drive to USB. You even have an option to clone the current system you are running (along with all your settings) on a USB drive. Isn't it cool?
Descarga WinToUSB
WinSetupFromUSB
Like AUMBI, WinSetupFromUSB is a free utility designed to create multiboot devices for Windows and Linux distributions.
WinSetupFromUSB allows you to select the operating systems in ISO format that you want to install and formats your USB so that it can boot from UEFI or BIOS. The tool has a very simple interface and offers persistence and QEMU support..
Descarga WinSetupFromUSB
What do you think of these programs that will allow you to boot from a USB? Would you add another app to the list?
