1. What is a Bootable Pen Drive?
A bootable USB is a disk that is used to boot up a system for the first installation of an operating system. A USB can be made bootable using a command line for systems that have Windows (7/8/8.1/10/11) and Linux operating systems.
2. Why Create a Bootable Pen Drive Using CMD?
Creating a bootable pen drive using CMD offers several advantages:
- Control: CMD gives you complete control over the process, allowing for customization.
- No Third-Party Software: You don’t need to rely on third-party software, which can be unreliable or outdated.
- Compatibility: The bootable pen drive created with CMD is compatible with most computers.
3. What You’ll Need
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- A pen drive with sufficient storage (at least 8GB is recommended).
- A Windows computer.
4. Step 1: Insert the Pen Drive
Plug your pen drive into an available USB port on your computer. Make sure to back up any important data on the pen drive as the process will erase all existing data.
5. Step 2: Open Command Prompt
- Search for cmd in the Start menu, right-click on the command prompt, and click on Run as Administrator.
- Type
cmdand pressEnterto open Command Prompt.
6. Step 3: Run Diskpart
In Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. This will launch the Diskpart utility.
7. Step 4: List Available Drives
Type list disk and press Enter. This command will display a list of all the storage devices connected to your computer. Identify your pen drive based on its size.
8. Step 5: Select Your Pen Drive
Type select disk X, replacing “X” with the number assigned to your pen drive from the previous step. Be cautious as selecting the wrong disk can lead to data loss. select disk 1 and press Enter.
9. Step 6: Clean the Pen Drive
Type clean and press Enter. This command erases all data on the pen drive.
10. Step 7: Create a Primary Partition
Type create partition primary and press Enter. This command creates a primary partition on the pen drive.
11. Step 8: Format the Partition
Type format fs=ntfs quick and press Enter. This command formats the partition as NTFS quickly.
12. Step 9: Mark the Partition as Active
Type active and press Enter. This marks the partition as active, making it bootable.
13. Step 10: Type the command exit to exit DISKPART and press Enter.
14. Step 11: Copy Bootable Files
Now copy all the data from the OS (Windows/Linux/etc.) installation disk to your USB drive that is just been made bootable.
15. Step 12: Finishing Touches
Copy any additional files you need to the pen drive, and your bootable pen drive is ready for action!
Conclusion
Creating a bootable pen drive using CMD might seem daunting at first, but it provides you with control and flexibility. With this step-by-step guide, you can confidently create a bootable pen drive to tackle various computing tasks.
FAQs
1. Can I use a bootable pen drive on any computer?
- Yes, as long as the computer supports booting from USB devices.
2. What should I do if I accidentally select the wrong disk in Diskpart?
- If you select the wrong disk, you risk erasing data on another drive. Be very careful and double-check before executing commands.
3. Can I use a macOS or Linux computer to create a bootable pen drive for Windows?
- Yes, you can use tools like UNetbootin or Rufus on macOS or Linux to create a bootable pen drive for Windows.
4. Do I need an original Windows installation disc to create a bootable pen drive?
- No, you can use an ISO file of the Windows installation disc to create a bootable pen drive.
5. Can I use a bootable pen drive to install multiple operating systems?
- Yes, you can create a multi-boot pen drive with multiple operating systems if you have enough storage space.
