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Creating a Windows 11 Bootable USB on Windows

This guide looks at creating a Windows 11 Bootable USB with preinstallation drivers drivers using a Dell XPS 8960 as an example. The Bootable USB will be prepared on Windows 11 but instructions will be applicable to any Windows 10 or Windows 11 Build.

Checking System Information

Press ⊞ and r and input:

msinfo32

The system details will be shown which include:

• System Manufacturer: Dell
• System Model: XPS 8960
• Processor: 13th Generation intel Core i7-13700
• BIOS: 2.11.0
• SMBIOS: 3.4
• BIOS Mode: UEFI
• Secure Boot State: On

The minimum generation of processor supported by Microsoft is 8th generation, there is at least 8 GB of RAM and the internal drive is a SSD greater than 256 GB so this system is officially supported for Windows 11.

Downloading Windows 11

Windows 11 Installation Media can be downloaded from Microsoft: Windows 11 Software Download Page. The first option is a Windows Application which is used for an in place upgrade. The second option uses the Windows Media Creation Tool and the third option (which is preferred and used in this guide) is the direct ISO download.

Media Creation VS Direct ISO Download

The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool downloads Windows Installation Media as setup and then creates an ISO or Bootable USB on your machine.

Bootable USB creation with the Media Creation Tool isn't as reliable using the ISO directly with Rufus.

Rufus also includes some additional fixes.

The Media Creation Tool Installation Media is smaller and has a smaller number of editions than the Direct ISO Download.

Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64):

Select Download Now:

Select the Language:

Note that for English there are two options:

• English (UK)
• English (USA)

Microsoft refer to English (UK) as English International.

Select Confirm:

Select 64 Bit Download:

Downloading Rufus

Rufus is a utility for formatting USB. Go to the Rufus Website and download the latest version:

Checking the ISO sha256 Checksums and Creating a Bootable USB

Launch Rufus:

Select Yes at the User Account Control Prompt:

Select Select:

Select the Windows 11 ISO and select Open:

Select the Verify ISO Checksums button:

Copy the SHA256:

On the Windows 11 Software Download Page, select Verify your Download:

Press Ctrl + f and paste in the ISO Checksum, it should be found on this page meaning the ISO has been downloaded correctly:

The 16 GB USB Drive is listed under Device, the ISO is listed under Boot Selection, GPT is listed under the Partition Scheme and NTFS listed under the File System. Select Start:

Rufus gives additional options to:

• Remove the Hardware Requirements Check for unsupported Processors and TPM
• Remove the Requirement for an Online Account
• Disable Automatic Bitlocker Device Encryption

Select the desired options and select OK:

Select OK:

When finished Rufus will say Ready. Select Close:

The Windows Installation Media is created using a NTFS Partition which is shown in Windows Explorer with a Drive Label:

To show up as a Boot Device a Boot FAT32 Partition is often required. This is created by Rufus but is instructed not to have a Drive letter. It can be viewed in Disk Management. Right click the Start Button and select Disk Management:

The small Boot FAT32 partition is seen on the Bootable USB:

Downloading Dell Drivers

Windows 11 unfortunately lacks two important drivers for current Dell systems. These include:

• Storage Controller Driver - Required to access the internal drive to install windows
• Wireless Network Driver - Required to access the internet

Dell drivers can be downloaded from Dell Drivers and Downloads.

Input your model, in this case XPS 8960:

Select Check for Updates:

Cancel the check for SupportAssist:

This will list all the drivers. Select Windows 11 under Operating System and Storage under Category:

Select Intel Rapid Storage Technology and select Download:

Double click the Intel Rapid Storage Technology:

Select Yes at the User Account Prompt:

Select Extract:

Extract to a subfolder in Downloads called Extract:

Select Close:

Navigate through the Extract folder until a Drivers folder is found:

Rename it DriversF6:

Copy it to your NTFS Install Partition of your Bootable USB:

Go back to the Dell Drivers and Downloads page. Select Network, Ethernet, and Wireless under Category:

Download the WiFi driver:

Double click the WiFi driver:

Select Yes at the User Account Control:

Select Extract:

Select the Downloads folder and then select Make New Folder and call the folder Extract2:

Select OK:

Select Close:

Navigate through the Extract2 folder until a Drivers folder is found:

Rename this folder DriversNetwork:

Copy it to your NTFS Install Partition of your Bootable USB:

The DriversF6 folders should contain drivers in the form of .ini files:

The DriversNetwork folders should also contain drivers in the form of .ini files:

The Windows 11 Bootable USB is now ready. Return to Windows 11 Setup Guide.