Quick answer: To make a Windows 10 bootable USB with Rufus, download Rufus from rufus.ie and a Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft, plug in a USB drive of at least 8 GB, open Rufus, pick the drive under Device, select the ISO, choose GPT for modern UEFI PCs (or MBR for old BIOS PCs), and select START. Everything on the USB drive is erased.
Applies to: Rufus 4.x on Windows. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025; it still installs and activates, but only PCs enrolled in Extended Security Updates keep getting security fixes, so consider Windows 11 if the PC supports it.
In this guide
Before you start
- A USB flash drive of 8 GB or larger. Copy anything you need off it first; Rufus erases it.
- A Windows PC to run Rufus. Current Rufus versions need Windows 8 or later.
- Your Windows 10 product key, or a PC that was activated before (it usually reactivates automatically).
- On the PC you’ll install on, back up your files. A clean install wipes the drive you install to.
Step 1: Get the Windows 10 ISO
You have two options:
- From Microsoft: go to Microsoft’s Download Windows 10 page, run the Media Creation Tool, choose Create installation media, then ISO file. Full steps are in our Windows 10 installation media guide. (The tool can also write the USB itself, in which case you don’t need Rufus.)
- From inside Rufus: select the small arrow next to SELECT, switch it to DOWNLOAD and click it. Rufus lets you choose the version, release, edition, language and architecture, then downloads the ISO from Microsoft. If the option is missing, enable update checks in Rufus settings or use the Microsoft tool instead.
Step 2: Create the USB with Rufus
- Download Rufus from rufus.ie. There’s nothing to install: run the .exe (the version ending in p is the portable one) and select Yes when Windows asks.
- Under Device, pick your USB drive. Double-check the size and name so you don’t erase the wrong drive.
- Under Boot selection, select SELECT and open the Windows 10 ISO.
- Set Partition scheme: GPT for PCs from roughly the last ten years that use UEFI, or MBR for older PCs that use legacy BIOS. Target system changes to match (UEFI or BIOS).
- Leave File system on NTFS and the other settings at their defaults. Rufus handles the large install file that won’t fit on FAT32.
- Select START, answer the customization dialog (Step 3), and confirm the warning that all data on the drive will be destroyed.
- Wait until the status bar says READY, then select CLOSE.
Not sure whether the PC uses UEFI? On the PC itself, press Windows + R, run msinfo32 and check BIOS Mode. UEFI means choose GPT; Legacy means MBR.
Step 3: Windows customization options
When you start with a Windows ISO, Rufus shows a Windows User Experience dialog. The exact options depend on the Rufus version and the ISO, but typically include:
- Creating a local account with a name you choose, and removing the requirement for an online Microsoft account.
- Setting regional options to match the PC you’re running Rufus on.
- Turning off data collection questions during setup.
- Turning off automatic BitLocker device encryption.
- For Windows 11 ISOs, removing the TPM, Secure Boot and RAM checks. These don’t matter for Windows 10, which doesn’t have those requirements.
Tick only what you want, or none at all; Windows installs normally either way.
Step 4: Boot from the USB
- Plug the USB into the PC you want to install on and turn it on.
- Press the boot menu key straight away. Common keys are F12 (Dell, Lenovo), F9 (HP), F8 (ASUS) or Esc; the PC’s start-up screen or manual tells you which.
- Pick the USB drive (on UEFI PCs it’s often listed as UEFI: followed by the drive name).
- Follow Windows Setup. Choose Custom: Install Windows only for a clean install, and select the right drive.
Common Rufus problems
- USB doesn’t appear in the boot menu: you probably chose the wrong partition scheme. Re-create it with GPT for UEFI or MBR for BIOS. Also try a USB 2.0 port.
- Secure Boot blocks the USB: current Rufus versions use signed UEFI:NTFS boot files, but some PCs need the “3rd party UEFI CA” (or similar) option enabled in firmware settings. Avoid turning Secure Boot off permanently.
- Rufus can’t see the USB drive: try another port or drive. External USB hard drives are hidden unless you enable List USB Hard Drives in the advanced options.
- Drive won’t format afterwards: Rufus creates more than one partition. To reuse the drive, format it as described in how to format an SD card (the same steps work for USB drives).
Going back from Windows 11 to Windows 10? See how to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 first.
Related guides
- Windows 10 installation media: how to create a USB or ISO
- How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10
- How to format an SD card in Windows 11 and 10
Official sources: for more detail, see these pages:
Frequently asked questions
Is Rufus safe?
Yes, when you download it from rufus.ie or its GitHub page. It’s free, open-source and digitally signed by Akeo Consulting. Avoid download sites that bundle it with other software.
Can Rufus make a Windows 11 USB too?
Yes. The steps are the same; use a Windows 11 ISO and GPT.
Does Rufus work on a Mac?
No. Rufus runs only on Windows. On a Mac you can download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s page, but create the USB on a Windows PC.
How long does it take?
Usually 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the USB drive’s speed. USB 3.0 drives are much faster.
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