Running Windows from a USB using Rufus 2.2

[Devon_Pearce]

So let me start by saying that this software has been around for quite some time and it shows in its capabilities. This software can make DOS based bootable drives.... need I say more. This software also seems like it hasn't been updated in a while, as the latest update (2.2) only supports Windows 7 or earlier. No Windows 8, 8.1 or 10, but creating a boot drive on a USB doesn't seem to be its primary purpose. This software can create a bootable Windows install drive that can be used on motherboards that don't support UEFI booting, and this can be useful. Lots of devices out there don't support some of the relatively newer UEFI standards. I should get back on track and talk about using the software. It's clean.... like super simple and straight forward.

So how do you use it? So first you'll want to select which drive to use, and if you only have one it will automatically select it for you (thumbs up). I don't suggest you go through the software in order because you'll probably do it wrong and the software will automatically select settings based on what you want to do. So then we get to gripe number two. The software only supports 2 different sources for what its doing. First is a .iso file, which wouldn't be a problem if you could just pack some files into an iso and use it, but no it only supports bootable isos. That was a bit of a problem as the free software i was using was a bit of a pain to do that. So the second file type? It would be great if you could put a Windows disk into your DVD drive and use that... but it isnt that simple. The second option is a DD Image such as a .img or .vhd file. So I tried Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 just to be sure.

They wouldn't work no matter what I tried, and if you have gotten them to work with 2.2 then let me know. Windows 7 works, and works great, both for creating a Windows installation USB drive, and a bootable Windows drive. So final opinion? This software has been around for a while, and it shows. It also needs a major update, as the lack of support work recent versions of Windows is a major deal breaker. This software allows you to create Windows installation media for PCs that don't support UEFI and that can be useful... but that is becoming a lot less useful as UEFI takes over and I can just pop the files on a drive and install Windows. This software could have a chance though. It needs an update yes, but also a cut down on some features while adding others. The previous software I tested allowed you to use the operating system currently installed on your computer as the source files, so long as you used a Microsoft tool to create the necessary files needed. That software isn't available for Windows 10 yet, but Microsoft should be releasing that later this year. Rufus needs to allow for using a Windows disk as a source, or at least the use of any old iso file that Joe Blow can pack together. If they can can release a version that can do that, and support newer versions of Windows, it may have a chance in todays soup of similar programs.

[shypin]

worked for my windows 10 image

[STRMfrmXMN]

 

Just gonna say it straightforward. All Rufus and all similar programs do is extract the ISO onto your flash drive or bootable disc. THAT IS IT. It's a waste of time using them to begin with. Some use hardware acceleration to extract it but in the same time you spent downloading and installing it you can use it to make the bootable USB like 30 seconds slower.

[Devon_Pearce]

looking back at the support page I am seeing that it can use windows 8, but for some reason it wouldn't work while running on my system, the thing is that WinToUSB is better in my mind because you can use a DVD as the source, not just a bootable iso file.