Bootable flash drive windows 10 mbr. Bootable UEFI GPT or UEFI MBR flash drive in Rufus. Preparing installation media

Before you start Windows installation 10 on new computer If you have a motherboard that supports a modern API called UEFI, you need to understand the basic concepts so that you have an idea of ​​what you are dealing with.

Having purchased a new computer/laptop that supports UEFI, it is strongly recommended to immediately convert its table hard drive in GPT due to the many advantages that we will consider below, and only then install Windows 10 on it and copy any data.

What do all these abbreviations mean?

Replaces the legacy API that provided interoperability operating system with the hardware and handed over the first reins of control after initializing the equipment, the UEFI interface arrived. UEFI features that are important for Windows user 10 are:

  • support for GPT partition scheme – we’ll talk about it later;
  • the presence of services, one of which is necessary to boot Windows 10, and the second is used in Linux to store dumps, which records information about problems that arose when the PC was last shut down;
  • modular architecture - installation of your own (downloaded from the Internet) drivers in UEFI is implemented here. They are needed, for example, to gain access to the file system on a computer without an installed operating system;
  • supports hardware-encrypted hard drive or logical drive;
  • UEFI is characterized by increased performance compared to BIOS;
  • works only in 32 and 64-bit mode, does not support operation in 16-bit;
  • integrated download manager – can add your own boot menu items.

GPT new standard placement of file tables on physical media, which came as a replacement for MBR. Unlike its predecessor, released to the masses back in 1983, GPT supports any HDD, the volume of which exceeds 2 TB (when using MBR there is simply not enough address space to address all sectors), it can work with more than 4 active volumes and 128 partitions on one physical medium. GPT also stores multiple copies of boot data in different places on the partition, which is why, using this file storage standard, you will recover damaged boot sectors much faster.

Preparing the drive

Installing an operating system on a hard drive always begins with proper preparation. In our case, this means downloading a suitable image and deploying it to a flash drive. Let's look at the process assuming that the ISO is on the computer and the latest version of Rufus is already running.

We will use Rufus due to its ease of use and the absence of unnecessary menu options.

  • Select a flash drive that will act as a carrier for the Windows 10 distribution.
  • In the second drop-down menu, be sure to select GPT for PCs with UEFI.
  • It is better not to change the file system and cluster size - these parameters have no meaning for installing the operating system.
  • We activate the quick formatting option so as not to wait ten minutes.
  • Check the box next to “Create boot disk» and click on the drive icon.
  • Select the image with the Windows 10 distribution and click “Start”.

Converting partitions using OS tools

Windows 10 allows you to convert an MBR partition to GPT using the standard Disk Management tool.

  • You can call it by executing the “diskmgmt.msc” command or the “Start” context menu.

  • We select each hard drive and delete it using the context menu.

  • Through context menu hard drive, call the “Convert to GPT disk” command.

Please note that it will become active after all volumes are deleted, and in the event that running Windows is not on the media whose table you want to convert.

Conversion will take ten or two seconds if the disk does not have damaged sectors. After this, disk partitioning becomes available and Windows installation 10 to its active section.

Installation problems

If the installation of Windows 10 on your hard drive is terminated by the appearance of an error stating that the installation of Windows 10 in UEFI system to MBR partitions is not possible; to continue, you must convert GPT to MBR. The problem is encountered by most users who did not perform the conversion before installing the OS.

This is done using a set of commands executed.

  • To convert a disk, you need to restart your computer, and in the installation program, when the “Install” button appears, click “System Restore”.

Keep in mind that following the instructions in the next step will clear your hard drive of all information and convert its partition tables to the new GPT standard, making it impossible to recover anything stored on the hard drive prior to conversion.

  • After opening the command line, we sequentially enter the following chain of system commands into it:
  • diskpart – launch a utility for working with partitions;
  • list disk – visualization of a list of volumes in order to select a future one system disk for conversion;
  • select disk X – select the desired volume;
  • clean – cleans the active partition numbered X;
  • convert mbr – converting an mbr partition;
  • create partition primary size xxxxxxx – create a new partition of the size specified in bytes;

When entering the volume size, keep in mind that 1 GB = 1024 megabytes, so to obtain a 50 GB disk, its size must be multiplied by 1024 twice.

  • active – make it active;
  • format fs=ntfs quick – perform quick formatting in ntfs;
  • assign – the disk will bear the letter label of the first free letter of the English alphabet, starting with “d”;
  • exit – exit from the command line Windows strings 10.

  • Click “Refresh” to get the latest information about the disk and its partitions again.

If installing Windows 10 on a GPT partition failed and a familiar window appears, several additional conditions must be met:

  • a 64-bit system must be installed;
  • The computer must be turned on in U mode

Most likely, setting the “ten” is impossible due to the second factor.

  • To solve it, you need to go into UEFI, which is done mainly with the F2 (for laptop) or Del (for PC) keys.
  • Find and activate (set the value to “Enable”) the UEFI boot function.

Typically, it is located in the BIOS Features or BIOS Setup section.

  • Switch the SATA operating mode to AHCI instead of IDE mode. Most often, changing this option is not necessary, but you should check it just in case.

  • Save the new settings.

In different versions of UEFI, settings options may be located in different sections and even have different names.

After this, installing Windows 10 on a partition with a new standard for placing file tables is carried out like a regular “tens” installation.

(Visited 57,607 times, 9 visits today)

Taking into account the fact that BIOS is gradually being replaced by UEFI, the question of how to make a bootable USB flash drive (or other USB drive) for the last option, becomes quite relevant. This tutorial details how to create a bootable UEFI USB flash drive to install Windows 7, Windows 10, 8 or 8.1 using the operating system distribution in an ISO image file or DVD. If you need an installation drive for 10, I recommend more new instructions.

Everything described below is suitable for 64-bit versions of Windows 7, Windows 10, 8 and 8.1 (32-bit versions are not supported). In addition, in order to successfully boot from the created drive, temporarily disable Secure Boot in your UEFI BIOS, and also enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module), all this is located in the Boot settings section. On the same topic: .

The next step is to copy all the files from the Windows 10, 8 (8.1) or 7 distribution to the prepared flash drive. For novice users, I note: you don’t need to copy it yourself ISO file, if you are using an image, its contents are required. Now more details.

If you are creating a UEFI USB drive on a computer running Windows 10, Windows 8, or 8.1

In this case, if you have an ISO image, mount it on the system by right-clicking on the image file and selecting “Mount” from the menu.

Select all content virtual disk that appears in the system, right-click and in the menu select “Send” - “Removable disk” (if there are several of them, then indicate exactly the one you need).

If you do not have a disk image, but installation disk DVD, copy all its contents to a flash drive in the same way.

If you have Windows 7 on your computer

If you are using Windows 7 on your computer and have some image mounting software installed, e.g. Daemon Tools, mount the image with the OS distribution and copy all its contents to a USB drive.

If you do not have such a program, then you can open the ISO image in an archiver, for example, 7Zip or WinRAR and extract it to a USB flash drive.

Additional step when creating a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 7

If you require a UEFI bootable USB flash drive to install Windows 7 (x64), you will also need to complete the following steps:


You will need a bootable USB flash drive to start the installation process. However, if your computer is modern enough, then there is a good chance that it is using the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) instead of the traditional BIOS. In this case, you need to make sure that the bootable media also supports the corresponding firmware interface, otherwise you will not be able to start the installation process.

Fortunately for UEFI computers There are several ways to create bootable media. For example, you can use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to make copying easier. installation files Windows 10 on a removable drive and supports both classic BIOS and UEFI. Alternatively, you can use a third-party tool called Rufus, which can create bootable USB flash drives specifically for UEFI devices.

IN this manual Here are the steps to create a bootable UEFI-enabled USB flash drive using Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

How to Create a Windows 10 Boot Disk Using the Media Creation Tool

If you are planning to update or perform clean install Windows 10 on a PC with UEFI, you can use the Media Creation Tool to create compatible bootable media. Simply connect a USB drive of at least 4GB capacity to your computer and follow these steps:

  • Double click on the file MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe to launch the utility.
  • Click the “Accept” button to agree to the terms of the Microsoft License Agreement.
  • Select an option Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another computer.
  • Click "Next".
  • Select language, architecture processor and release Windows 10 if the defaults don't suit your preferences. Tip: In the Architecture section, you may notice the “Both” option, which is designed to create a universal bootable media for 32- and 64-bit processors.

  • Click "Next".
  • Select an option USB flash memory device.
  • Click "Next".
  • Select removable media, which you want to use in the list (if you do not see your drive, click the “Refresh list of drives” button).
  • Click "Next".

After completing these steps, the Media Builder will begin downloading Windows 10 installation files and create a bootable USB device for your UEFI or BIOS computer.

How to Create a Windows 10 Boot Disk Using Rufus

Using the Media Creation Tool is the recommended method for creating a bootable USB flash drive. However, if for some reason this option didn't work for you, you can download a Windows 10 ISO from another source and use the Rufus tool to create installation media with UEFI support. Simply connect a USB drive of at least 4GB capacity to your computer and follow these steps:

  • Double click on the file Rufus-x.x.exe to launch the utility.
  • In chapter Device Select a USB storage device with at least 4GB capacity.
  • In chapter Loading Method press the “SELECT” button.
  • Go to the folder with Windows ISO image 10.
  • Select the image file.
  • Click the “Open” button.
  • In chapter Partition scheme select option GPT.
  • In chapter Target system select option UEFI (non-CSM).
  • In chapter New volume label Choose a meaningful name for the drive, such as "win10_boot_drive".
  • In sections File system And Cluster size leave the default values.
  • Click the button Show advanced formatting options and make sure the “Quick format” and “Create an extended device label and icon” checkboxes are checked.
  • Press the “START” button.
  • Click “OK” to confirm that the USB flash drive will be erased.

After completing these steps, the Rufus tool will create a bootable Windows 10 media with UEFI support.

In recent years, the production of computers has begun, on which an outdated initial input-output system BIOS boot changed motherboards with a fundamentally new type of firmware for a long-term storage device. This type has the abbreviated name UEFI and has a graphical interface similar to Windows, a more robust system for duplicating and restoring boot data, internal anti-virus protection and the ability to use computer mouse. This was required due to the increase in the production of hard drives with a capacity of over two terabytes and an advanced partition type (GPT), which are not supported by the BIOS. To administer the bootloader, the built-in UEFI-boot utility is used, which is reminiscent of the BIOS in structure and significantly speeds up starting a laptop or desktop computer. When installing Windows 10 on a computer with a UEFI interface, use a USB drive adapted for modernized booting.

Setting up UEFI before installing Windows 10 from a flash card

UEFI is a graphical interface that is responsible for the pre-boot environment of the operating system.

UEFI is essentially a replacement for the outdated BIOS basic input/output system, which has been successfully used in computer technology for decades. The world does not stand still, but moves forward by leaps and bounds, so it’s time to part with an old, trusted “friend” who has repeatedly helped when various problems arise. Created back in 2005 and improved over the past ten years, the “Extensible Firmware Interface” is much more responsive to the requirements of modern computer hardware. The need for its implementation arose a long time ago, and now all new models personal computers are released with UEFI installed.

The UEFI-boot bootloader program, which controls the startup of a laptop or desktop computer, similar to BIOS, begins to start when the computer is turned on before Windows startup 10. With its support, all components and modules are polled to determine their readiness for work, and then Windows 10 itself is checked. The licensed code of the program, which does not allow viruses to change the bootloader and install pirated copies of Windows 10, can be located in a non-volatile storage device built-in V motherboard, to a hidden area of ​​the hard drive or to your own network storage.

UEFI management and debugging are easy to use and tailored to create maximum user convenience.

If you have an idea about BIOS debugging, then there will be no problems setting up UEFI:

After completing this algorithm of actions, you can begin installing Windows 10.

Video: how to configure UEFI before booting Windows 10 from a flash card

Converting an MBR drive to a GPT driveBefore converting an MBR disk to a GPT disk, rewrite the entire block of information to a removable flash card, because all data will be erased

. After conversion, the entire block of information is rewritten back to the hard drive.

  1. To convert a hard drive with MBR partitions to GPT partitions, two methods are used:
  2. Using the Diskpart.exe interpreter:

Using the standard Disk Management utility: It is not at all necessary to convert the hard drive when installing Windows 10. Just turn off the “ Secure Boot

Video: how to convert an MBR drive to GPT and vice versa using the Command Line

Creating a UEFI flash card for installing Windows 10

To install Windows 10 from a flash card, you must first assign a boot priority in UEFI. There is a choice of primary boot for both a hard drive with MBR partitions and a hard drive with a GPT table. To assign a priority in UEFI, go to the “Boot Priority” block and set the flash card with installation Windows files 10.


Video: How to assign boot priority in UEFI

Creating a bootable flash drive that supports UEFI

In cases where a bootable flash drive for Windows 10 is created in the MediaCreationTool program, a product of Microsoft Corporation, the FAT32 file allocation table structure is generated automatically. The program simply does not offer any other options, immediately making the flash card universal. Using it, you can install “tens” on a standard hardware with BIOS or UEFI. There is no difference.

If your computer has an integrated boot loader that supports the UEFI interface, you may only use storage media formatted according to the FAT32 standard to install Windows 10.

There is another option for creating a universal flash card using the administrator console " Command line" The algorithm of actions in this case will be as follows:

  1. Launch the Run service through Accessories services in the Start button menu.
  2. Type the following commands and confirm them by pressing Enter:
  3. Download from the site Microsoft file with ISO image "tens".

    Double-click the image file, opening it and simultaneously connecting it to the virtual drive.

    After selecting all the files and directories of the image, copy them by clicking the “Copy” button.

    Insert everything into the free area of ​​the flash card.

    Copy files to free place flash drives

    This completes the process of creating a universal bootable flash card. You can start installing “tens”.

    Removable drive prepared for installation of Windows 10

The created universal flash card will be bootable both for computers with basic system BIOS I/O, and for those where UEFI is integrated.

Video: how to create a bootable USB flash drive for Windows 10 using WINDOWS 7 USB/DVD DOWNLOAD TOOL, Command Line or Windows Media Creation Tool

Creating a flash card only for computers with MBR partitions that support UEFI

Quickly creating a bootable flash drive for Windows 10 that can be installed on a UEFI-enabled computer requires the use of third-party software. One such program is Rufus. It is quite widespread among users and has proven itself well. Its main disadvantage is the impossibility of creating a universal bootable flash card. Does not provide installation on a hard drive. Allows you to perform a wide range of operations:

  • flash the BIOS chip;
  • generate a bootable flash drive using an ISO image of Ten or systems such as Linux;
  • use on devices with an uninstalled operating system;
  • carry out low-level formatting.

To create a bootable flash card using Rufus, first download software from the developer's website.

When creating a flash card for a computer that supports UEFI with a hard drive that has MBR partitions, the procedure is as follows:

Video: how to use Rufus

Create a flash card only for GPT computers that support UEFI

When creating a flash card for a computer that supports UEFI with a hard drive that has a GPT boot table, you need to use the following procedure:

The Rufus program is constantly being improved and updated by the manufacturer. New version The programs can always be obtained on the official website of the developer.

To avoid problems with creating bootable media, you can resort to a more effective option for restoring the “dozens”. To do this, you need to install the system from the Microsoft website. Once the installation is complete, the system will prompt you to create rescue media for recovery. Select a flash card in the media selection and wait until the copy is created. In case of any failures, perform a recovery system parameters without deleting documents and installed applications. In this case, there is no need to carry out reactivation system product, so disturbing the user with a constantly pop-up reminder.

Standard errors that occur when installing Windows 10 on a GPT disk

When installed on a hard drive with GPT operating systems partitions Windows family latest generation- versions 7, 8 and 10 - problems arise due to incorrectly selected installation settings.

The first error is when the user tries to install a 32-bit version of Windows 10 on the drive, which is incompatible with GPT disks.

As a result, UEFI imposes installation restrictions and stops writing files to the hard drive. You can fix this error by using the 64-bit version, which is accepted by UEFI, when installing Windows 10. Second error - trying to install on Windows computer 10 when UEFI mode is disabled. To enable it, you need to set required parameters


for the bootloader program. Depending on the manufacturer, the interface of the base operating system may differ, but they are present in any version of UEFI. To enable UEFI mode, you need to set correct parameters

for the bootloader program

To enable UEFI mode, follow these steps.

For this case, installation will only be performed on a 64-bit system.

Also, during the installation process, the Secure Boot and Fast Boot functions must be disabled in the settings for UEFI. Then they can be activated again.

We connect our flash drive and launch the Rufus utility.

  • In the Rufus window you will need to set the following parameter values:
  • Device: here you need to select the option with a USB drive (after that it is formatted and the data located there will be lost forever, so this factor should be taken into account);
  • For the partition and interface type, select the option with GPT for PCs that have UEFI;
  • You must select FAT32 as the file system;
  • We leave the size for the cluster at the standard value, i.e. 4096 bytes;
  • If desired, you can specify any volume label;

To format, you need to check the boxes next to the following options: Quick formatting, Creating an extended label and a stash for the device. Next, select the option to create bootable media - here you need to select ISO image

disk. After that, click on the disk icon and specify the location of the image with Windows 10 (only 64-bit options are suitable). And then, check the box for standard installation.

3) Now you can click on the “Start” button and formatting will begin with further recording of all data on the flash drive.

After this, Windows 10 on the flash drive will be ready for use.

If there is no UEFI, but only a standard BIOS

As in the previous example, connect the USB flash drive and after that, launch the Rufus utility.

  • In the program you must specify the following parameter values:
  • For the partition and interface type, select the option with MBR for a PC with BIOS or UEFI-CSM;
  • We use NTFS as the file system;
  • We leave the parameters for cluster sizes at the standard value, 4096 bytes;
  • If desired, you can specify any volume label;
  • To format, you need to select the following parameter values ​​and check the boxes next to: Quick formatting, Creating an extended label and icon for the device, The checkbox next to creating bootable media.

We select the ISO image option, then click on the disk icon and indicate the location of the image with Windows 10 (here you can select any version, both 32-bit and 64-bit). After this, set the default system installation value.

3. The final step is to click on the “Start” button. Next, the program will ask you to confirm formatting the media. After confirmation, for some time, the utility will create a bootable USB flash drive.

When everything is ready, you can begin testing the bootable media.

Method 2. Use Windows USB/DVD Download Tool

This utility allows you to burn a flash drive exclusively for Windows 10, and the media itself will only work with BIOS. UEFI support - no.

Necessary components for burning a flash drive:

  • A disk image with Windows 10 operating system with an .ISO extension;
  • Current version Windows USB/DVD Download Tool (preferably recently downloaded from);
  • USB flash drive, with a volume of at least 4 gigabytes.

During installation of this utility, sometimes an error occurs. Its contents indicate a shortage of Microsoft. NET Framework 2.0. To fix this, open Control Panel and go to Programs and Features. Next, follow the link Enable basic system components. Then check the box next to Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.

After successfully installing the utility, we proceed to writing the image to our flash drive

The very first step is to connect the USB flash drive and run Windows program USB/DVD Download Tool;

In the program window, click on the “Browse” button and in the explorer window that opens, find and select the image with Windows 10. After that, click “Next”;

Next you will need to select the device to record, click USB Device;

Now you need to find, through the explorer, the connected flash drive and select it. Then click on Being copying;

Then a window will appear asking you to confirm cleaning the media. Click on Erase USB Device. And in the next window we confirm the formatting of the flash drive;