Windows 11 Bootable USB: How to Make One With the Media Creation Tool

Here's what people miss. Booting from the USB isn't the only way to use it, and it's the destructive one. Microsoft says a boot install wipes the hard drive and the existing Windows, and every file and app on the device is lost. Run the same USB from inside your current Windows instead and the default is Keep personal files and apps.

What you need before you start

You need	Why, as of October 2026
A PC with a reliable internet connection	The tool downloads Windows, and the download time depends on your connection
A blank USB flash drive of at least 8 GB	Any content on the drive is deleted when the media is created
Possibly a 25-character product key	Not needed for digital licences, and many modern PCs have the key embedded in the firmware
A backup of your files	Microsoft says to back up before you install or reinstall Windows

The product key point saves a lot of hunting. If the key in your PC's firmware matches the version and edition of Windows you're installing, it's applied automatically and you don't type anything in. If you're building a virtual machine you don't need a USB drive at all: the tool can make an ISO file instead, and an ISO can also be used to put the installation media on a DVD.

How to create the USB with the Media Creation Tool

1. Plug in a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space.
2. Go to Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page.
3. Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now. The file MediaCreationTool.exe downloads.
4. Run MediaCreationTool.exe. It walks you through creating the installation media, on the USB flash drive or as an ISO file.
5. When it's done, the drive can be used to install, clean install or reinstall Windows.

There's a Windows 10 version of the tool too, sometimes with the version in the file name, such as MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on 14 October 2025, so for a new USB, Windows 11 is the one to make.

Check your PC qualifies first

Microsoft's install page is blunt about this. It isn't recommended to install Windows 11 on a device that doesn't meet the minimum system requirements, and if you've already done it, Microsoft recommends rolling back to Windows 10 immediately. The USB route is where people trip, because booting from the media only checks some of the requirements. Microsoft's advice is to run the PC Health Check app in your current Windows first, and only then use the USB.

The two ways to use a Windows 11 USB

Method	What happens to your files	Use it when
Run setup.exe from inside Windows	Keeps personal files and apps by default, and you can change that	You're upgrading a PC that already works
Boot from the USB	The drive is wiped and a fresh copy of Windows 11 goes on	You want a clean start and you've backed up

Upgrading by running the USB inside Windows

1. Plug the USB into the PC you're upgrading.
2. In the pop-up that asks what to do with the media, select Run setup.exe. If no pop-up appears, open File Explorer, select This PC, right-click the drive and choose Install or run program from your media.
3. Select Yes if User Account Control asks, entering an administrator user name and password if it wants one.
4. Step through Windows 11 Setup until you reach the Ready to install page.
5. Keep the default, Keep personal files and apps, or select Change what to keep, then finish Setup.

The three choices are worth knowing before you click. Keep personal files and apps moves your files, apps and Windows settings into Windows 11. Keep personal files only keeps your files but deletes apps and Windows settings. Nothing deletes everything, so back up to OneDrive or an external drive first if you pick it.

Booting from the USB for a clean install

1. Run PC Health Check in your current Windows to confirm the PC meets the requirements, then shut it down.
2. Turn the PC on and open its boot menu with the key your manufacturer uses, usually one of F1 to F12 or DEL.
3. Choose the Windows 11 USB from the boot menu.
4. Follow Windows 11 Setup to install a fresh copy of Windows.

The boot key varies by make and model, so check your device's documentation or the manufacturer's website. If you need to change startup settings first, my guide to entering the BIOS covers it.

The easier routes Microsoft prefers

If you're on Windows 10 and just want Windows 11, Microsoft's recommended method is Windows Update, not a USB. Select Check for updates, install anything pending for your current version and restart, because the Windows 11 offer might not appear until you've done that. When Windows Update says Windows 11 is ready, select Download and install, then Accept and install. The PC restarts a few times to finish.

The Windows 11 Installation Assistant is the middle option. Microsoft recommends waiting for the Windows Update offer first, but you can run the Assistant before then. If it can't tell whether your PC qualifies, it asks you to run PC Health Check, then select Refresh to update the status. If it decides the PC doesn't meet the requirements, Microsoft's advice is to stay on Windows 10.

My verdict on making a Windows 11 USB

I'd make one while your PC still works and keep it in a drawer, because it's how you reinstall Windows when nothing else will start. For a straight upgrade, let Windows Update do the job instead. And if you boot from the USB, assume everything on the drive goes, because it does. For the wider wipe and reset picture, see my guide to factory resetting a laptop.

Frequently asked questions

How big does a USB need to be for Windows 11?

Microsoft says you need a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. Anything on the drive is deleted, so use an empty one.

Do I need a product key to install Windows 11 from USB?

Not always. A 25-character key might be needed, but not for digital licences, and if the key embedded in your PC's firmware matches the edition you install, it's applied automatically.

Will installing Windows 11 from USB delete my files?

It depends how you use it. Booting from the USB wipes the drive. Running setup.exe inside Windows keeps personal files and apps by default.

Can I make a Windows 11 ISO instead of a USB?

Yes. The Media Creation Tool can create an ISO file for virtual machines, and an ISO can also be used to create the installation media on a DVD.

Which key opens the boot menu?

It varies by manufacturer and model, but it's usually one of the function keys, F1 to F12, or the DEL key. Check your device's documentation.