Rufus is a tiny Windows application that allows you to quickly and easily create bootable USB drives from ISO images. The file size of the program is just 1.5 MB, moreover, it’s portable.
Rather than using easily damaged optical discs, it is advisable to utilize pen drives or thumb drives to store operating system installers, such as Windows or rescue discs. These portable memory sticks are convenient to transport and are particularly beneficial for systems lacking a CD/DVD drive.
Rufus is a standalone application, which means it doesn’t need installation, and you can work with the program straight away.
Just launch the app by double-clicking the thumb drive icon.
To begin using the program, you can easily get started by following these steps: The application will automatically recognize your USB drive. To create a bootable USB drive, simply click on the ‘CD Drive’ icon and select the ISO image. Finally, proceed by clicking the ‘Start’ button.
The program is compatible with various bootable ISOs. Rufus will format the drive and generate a bootable USB installer for Windows or Linux based on the ISO image you have chosen.
The software can handle both MBR and GPT partition schemes suitable for UEFI. You have various file system choices, including FAT32, NTFS, UDF, and exFAT.
With this application, you can modify the cluster size and volume label. Additionally, the program enables you to scan the device for bad blocks and choose the algorithm type.
Despite its small size, Rufus provides everything you need. It can be especially useful for cases where:
- Create USB installation media from bootable ISOs (Windows, Linux, UEFI, etc.)
- Work on a system that doesn’t have an OS installed.
- You need to flash a BIOS or other firmware from DOS.
To know more details and to download the stable application, visit the official webpage.
Update [04/04/2025]: Version 4.6 Released
Rufus has just rolled out version 3.19, which significantly enhances its functionality for installing Windows 11. This update allows users to install the operating system without needing a Microsoft account or an internet connection.
Despite Microsoft’s removal of a widely used bypass hack for offline installations, Rufus still offers valuable options for people wishing to set up their OS offline.
