UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

lly091 · Mar 16, 2015

Is it odd that after I load up my Windows 7 ISO and check the box "Create a bootable disk using" that I don't have the option to select dots for neither Standard Windows Installation or Window's to Go?

These options don't appear at all ->

Thanks for your help.

Akeo · Mar 16, 2015

lly091 said:
Is it odd that after I load up my Windows 7 ISO and check the box "Create a bootable disk using" that I don't have the option to select dots for neither Standard Windows Installation or Window's to Go?

Not at all. As explained in the FAQ, as well as the release notes for version 2.0, Windows To Go is only available if you run Rufus on Windows 8 or later. If you run Windows 7, you won't see the To Go creation option.

If you want to know more, see here.

Maybe that will change in the future, but I don't promise anything.

lly091 · Mar 16, 2015

Akeo said:
lly091 said:

Is it odd that after I load up my Windows 7 ISO and check the box "Create a bootable disk using" that I don't have the option to select dots for neither Standard Windows Installation or Window's to Go?

Click to expand...

Not at all. As explained in the FAQ, as well as the release notes for version 2.0, Windows To Go is only available if you run Rufus on Windows 8 or later. If you run Windows 7, you won't see the To Go creation option.

If you want to know more, see here.

Ah! Thank you very much

balubeto · Mar 23, 2015

With the new version of Rufus, it is possible to create a bootable USB stick multiboot with some customized editions of Windows 8.x whose iso are greater than 4096MB? If so, how do I do this?

This USB stick must be able to boot on the computer with the BIOS or UEFI.

Thanks

Bye

Brink · Mar 23, 2015

Hello Balubeto,

Sorry, but you'll need to create a separate USB for each.

https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/wi..._that_can_be_booted_in_both_BIOS_and_EFI_mode

balubeto · Mar 23, 2015

Brink said:
Hello Balubeto,

Sorry, but you'll need to create a separate USB for each.

https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/wi..._that_can_be_booted_in_both_BIOS_and_EFI_mode

By chance, does anyone know a program that can do what I want?

Thanks

Bye

Akeo · Mar 23, 2015

Actually, the FAQ entry pointed above indicates that the default of Rufus is not to allow dual BIOS + UEFI on Windows installation, and the entry explains precisely why it's done. However, the entry also explains that, if you know what you're doing and want to have dual BIOS + UEFI, you can use the Alt-E cheat mode to do that. So you can have dual BIOS + UEFI bootable Windows USB installers with Rufus. It's just not enabled by default.

As to multiboot, I'm not planning to support it, ever, in part because I have doubts that most of the people asking for Windows multiboot have the legal licensing from Microsoft to do that many installations. I also expect those who do to have access to the MSDN and the skills level that usually goes with it (since MSDN is usually something that only power users would have access to) so that they can create multiboot Windows ISO using the Windows AIK.
That's not to say that there aren't some people out there who have legitimate reasons to want multiboot from Rufus, and also have the legal entitlement to do so. However, it really looks to me like most of the requests I get for Windows multiboot are unlikely to be entirely legal, and thus I'd rather not spent time on something that will add A LOT of complexity as well as encourage software piracy... Besides, it always looks to me like people eager on multibooting actually spend a lot more time fine tuning their multiboot options (there's always a new version of the OS to insert, etc), than they would simply recreating the USB according to their need. Considering that, if you have a fast USB 3.0 drive, creating a new Windows installer with Rufus will only take a couple minutes or less, you will definitely save compared to trying to keep an existing multiboot USB up to date.
Then again, there are other tools that are designed to handle multiboot, so if you really want this feature, you should be able to find what you need.

Finally, Rufus 2.1 (which I am planning to release later on today -- there's a BETA here) does allow the creation of EFI bootable Windows USB drives that contain files larger than 4GB, as it offers the ability to seamlessly boot NTFS in EFI mode (as a matter of fact, this is a feature that was introduced with Rufus 2.0, but it had a bug, which has been fixed in 2.1).

balubeto · Mar 24, 2015

Akeo said:
Actually, the FAQ entry pointed above indicates that the default of Rufus is not to allow dual BIOS + UEFI on Windows installation, and the entry explains precisely why it's done. However, the entry also explains that, if you know what you're doing and want to have dual BIOS + UEFI, you can use the Alt-E cheat mode to do that. So you can have dual BIOS + UEFI bootable Windows USB installers with Rufus. It's just not enabled by default.

As to multiboot, I'm not planning to support it, ever, in part because I have doubts that most of the people asking for Windows multiboot have the legal licensing from Microsoft to do that many installations. I also expect those who do to have access to the MSDN and the skills level that usually goes with it (since MSDN is usually something that only power users would have access to) so that they can create multiboot Windows ISO using the Windows AIK.
That's not to say that there aren't some people out there who have legitimate reasons to want multiboot from Rufus, and also have the legal entitlement to do so. However, it really looks to me like most of the requests I get for Windows multiboot are unlikely to be entirely legal, and thus I'd rather not spent time on something that will add A LOT of complexity as well as encourage software piracy... Besides, it always looks to me like people eager on multibooting actually spend a lot more time fine tuning their multiboot options (there's always a new version of the OS to insert, etc), than they would simply recreating the USB according to their need. Considering that, if you have a fast USB 3.0 drive, creating a new Windows installer with Rufus will only take a couple minutes or less, you will definitely save compared to trying to keep an existing multiboot USB up to date.
Then again, there are other tools that are designed to handle multiboot, so if you really want this feature, you should be able to find what you need.

Finally, Rufus 2.1 (which I am planning to release later on today -- there's a BETA here) does allow the creation of EFI bootable Windows USB drives that contain files larger than 4GB, as it offers the ability to seamlessly boot NTFS in EFI mode (as a matter of fact, this is a feature that was introduced with Rufus 2.0, but it had a bug, which has been fixed in 2.1).

So, for you, with Rufus 2.1 Beta, I could reach my goal?

Thanks

Bye

KYHI · Mar 24, 2015

balubeto said:
With the new version of Rufus, it is possible to create a bootable USB stick multiboot with some customized editions of Windows 8.x whose iso are greater than 4096MB? If so, how do I do this?

This USB stick must be able to boot on the computer with the BIOS or UEFI.

I have to question why one would want to multi-boot custom ISO file(s)?

For instance the > The Setup Media ISO = contains all the boot files and setup files needed to run windows setup.. The ISO is just one large file or Container Package of all those setup files.. So why boot into a multi-option boot manager that lists multiple bootable ISO's??

One could create a WinPE bootable USB and then copy the different widows setup versions into folders.
Then run from command line ?:\windows 8.1 pro\setup.exe > ?:\windows 8.1\setup.exe > ?:\windows 7\setup.exe

The overall size would be less - because the PC has already been Booted - and there is no need for all the addintional boot files contained in every ISO...

If one wanted to boot multi-version of 7 or 8 for a usb (windows to go) one could create a multiboot VHD USB

Akeo · Mar 24, 2015

balubeto said:
So, for you, with Rufus 2.1 Beta, I could reach my goal?

With Rufus 2.1 (that was released yeterday), you will be able to do everything, except multiboot.

sgtsixpack · Apr 4, 2015

I found a guide similar to this one Installing Windows 7 in native EFI mode from USB - bit-tech.net Forums

Problem is that I made "install.wim" file inside the ISO which is greater than 4Gb and fat32's file size limit is surpassed ( the reason is because I've collected all updates from windows updates downloader ).

Because I could not get it to work I made a DVDR and installed a second windows 7 SP1 x64 with most of the update, and it worked (although not flawlessly).

I believe I already tried the trick found in step 11 with a USB formatted to NTFS and although I could select a GPT partition to install windows 7 sp1 x64 from a UEFI bios there was another error at which point I gave up and went to make a DVDR media.

There is obviously an install size limitation with DVDRW 4.37Gb and DVDR 4.7Gb but one of the advantages of USB is that they are usually nowadays at least 8Gb, but using the fat32 install method throws a spanner in the works.

Are there any workarounds possible. Perhaps making 2 "install.wim" files or adding updates to the "boot.wim"? Or is it possible to use NTFS?

This is where I found a guide to using NTLite to update windows 7 (don't forget windows updates downloader):
[Guide] Integration of drivers into a Win7/8/10 image

Akeo · Apr 4, 2015

sgtsixpack said:
Are there any workarounds possible. Perhaps making 2 .wim files or adding updates to the .boot? Or is it possible to use NTFS?

Why are you using Rufus 1.3.2? This is a VERY OLD version, and if you had used the latest (version 2.1 - it might help to check Rufus' official site once in a while!), you would have found that the latest version will happily let you create an UEFI bootable NTFS drive, as long as you set the target to GPT for UEFI after selecting your ISO. No need to split or anything.

Can you please try Rufus 2.1. Oh and if Rufus asks you if you want to allow it to check for application updates, please enable that.

EDIT: my bad, was looking at the right part of the screen, but I see that you are using latest. Then you should be able to select NTFS. Do you get an error when selecting NTFS instead of FAT32?

sgtsixpack · Apr 4, 2015

As in the screenshots I am using rufus 2.1. I honestly can't remember what I've tried but one thing I know that with the USB installer I created - none of the options in my bios helped to get it past the choose partition stage.

The main point of my post was to point out the limitation of using fat32 as a basis for the install. I'm sure that the guide will work flawlessly if I didn't exceed 4Gb size for the install.wim file.

Akeo · Apr 4, 2015

Yeah. Until very recently FAT32 was the only option, so that's why the guide still points to using FAT32.

It's only with version 2.0 that Rufus added the ability to create UEFI bootable NTFS drives. However, this requires executing extra code at boot and loading an NTFS drive, which, even as it is done transparently by Rufus, leaves the possibility that some UEFI firmwares may not like it. So the recommended process is to prefer FAT32 if you don't have a large file, and use NTFS only if you have a >4GB file.

Anyway, please let us know if you are able to boot with GPT for UEFI and NTFS as the file system. If you are using Rufus 2.1, this should work.

KYHI · Apr 4, 2015

Some Firmware allows Booting UEFI from NTFS Media - not all.. Mine Does..

sgtsixpack · Apr 5, 2015

KYHI said:
Some Firmware allows Booting UEFI from NTFS Media - not all.. Mine Does..

You're right. In my firmware F5 for Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 5 it lists 2 separate boot options if your flash stick has fat32 file system & "GPT scheme for UEFI computer" normal and UEFI:media_name, and no UEFI options if NTFS formated with "GPT scheme for UEFI computer". That is with CSM option enabled (compatibility support module), without only UEFI options are listed. So that's why I agree its a firmware limitation.

If I chose MBR for UEFI/ MBR for BIOS or UEFI computers, I'd have to test (only tested without changing firmware options) if I could install windows 7 to a GPT formated disk in UEFI mode. I'm not sure if the Rufus options refer to the formating of the USB flash drive or the target disk.

I made an image which contains all the updates and a few options within size limits. Installed on GPT disk with UEFI firmware using a Fat32 formatted USB flash drive. It takes 1:30 to write the image. Took a while to make the image in NTLite, and took along time on "windows finalising settings" cause I'm using an old 200Gb Samsung spinpoint to test. I'll need to format my SSD to GPT to do a dual boot without entering the bios. 4Tb has to use GPT.

base1268 · Apr 5, 2015

@Akeo... I pre-format my 32GB thumb drive to FAT32 and then try to create an installer using your latest Rufus. It reports to me that it cannot use FAT32 with 'this type of ISO'.... referring to the Windows 10 TP ISO's....?

MS themselves suggest that the thumb drive should be FAT32 for Win 10 installer..... something doesn't add up.

Akeo · Apr 5, 2015

base1268 said:
@Akeo... I pre-format my 32GB thumb drive to FAT32 and then try to create an installer using your latest Rufus. It reports to me that it cannot use FAT32 with 'this type of ISO'.... referring to the Windows 10 TP ISO's....?

MS themselves suggest that the thumb drive should be FAT32 for Win 10 installer..... something doesn't add up.

1. Select the ISO in Rufus
2. Set the Partition Scheme and Target System type to GPT for UEFI computer. You must change that option, as the default of Rufus is to use MBR (in which case this will only be bootable in CSM mode on UEFI systems and Rufus will indeed use NTFS)
3. Select the filesystem you want. Rufus should have picked FAT32 by default (after you changed Partition Scheme to GPT), but you should be able to switch to NTFS if you want, or if you have a >4GB file.

You should not preformat the drive before using Rufus - Rufus will format it for you according to the filesystem you selected.

@sgtsixpack,

1. If you select the right options (see above), you should be able to boot an NTFS drive created by Rufus using UEFI. Rufus allows NTFS UEFI boot regardless of your UEFI firmware. But you must make sure you select GPT and NTFS after selecting your ISO (ISO selection should always be the first step when using Rufus).
2. The Rufus options apply only to the USB drive. The Windows installer decides the rest. However, it's easier to force the installer to use UEFI installation mode if you boot through UEFI in Rufus, in which case you really want to use GPT, as this will ensure you cannot boot in CSM mode.

TheSnottyMidget · Apr 25, 2015

Hey guys,

I've followed this guide and its gotten me to the point where I can start the win 7 x64 installation, but I am prompted to load drivers, as it is a USB i think the windows installer is having a bit of a freak out??

It is loading UEFI and goes throw the language screen fine and then prompts to load driver/s. Selecting any location on the flash drive does nothing, and neither does selecting any other drive options (C:, D:, or X:,).

Any assistance is appreciated!

Brink · Apr 25, 2015

Hello TheSnottyMidget, and welcome to Eight Forums.

This may be able to help.

SATA Driver - Load in Windows 7 or Vista Setup - Windows 7 Help Forums

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

To Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive using Free Program "Rufus"

To Manually Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive

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