How to Boot from USB in Windows 11

Sometimes you need to start your computer from a USB drive instead of your main hard drive. This is common when you are installing a new version of Windows or fixing problems with your system.

Why boot from a USB?

You might need to do this to install a fresh operating system, run diagnostic tools, or recover files if your computer will not start normally.

What happens when done?

Once you finish your task, your computer will load the software on your USB drive. You can then perform repairs or installations. When you remove the USB and restart, your computer will return to its normal state.

Booting through Windows Advanced Startup

This method is great if you are already logged into Windows. First, plug your USB drive into your computer. Next, navigate to Windows Advanced Startup (WinRE).

When the menu appears, select “Use a device.”

From the list that appears, choose your USB drive. Your computer will restart and start up from that drive.

Booting using the Computer Boot Menu

If the first method does not work, you can use the built-in boot menu. This menu appears before Windows even starts.

Note: This process happens during the startup phase and may require you to be quick with your keyboard.

1. Plug your USB drive into the computer.
2. Restart your computer.
3. As soon as the screen turns on, press the boot menu key on your keyboard. This is usually Esc, F2, F10, or F12.
4. If those keys do not work, check your computer manufacturer’s manual for the specific key for your model.
5. Select your USB drive from the list using the arrow keys and press Enter.

Your computer will now load files from your USB drive instead of your internal drive.

Summary

You can start your Windows 11 computer from a USB drive using two main ways. You can either use the Windows Advanced Startup (WinRE) menu from within your settings, or you can press a specific key like F12 during startup to open the boot menu. Both methods allow you to bypass your normal startup process to run special tools or install software. Always check your computer manual if you have trouble finding the right key to press during startup.