How to Download and Create a Bootable USB Drive for Windows 11 Insider Preview

This article will guide you through the steps of downloading and creating a bootable USB drive for Windows 11 Insider Preview. You can use this method to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10 as well.

1. Download Windows 11 Insider Preview

1. Go to uupdump.net.
2. Scroll down and find “Windows 11 Insider Preview”.
3. Select the “amd64” version unless you need the “arm” version for your specific device.
4. Choose your language (English in this example).
5. Select the specific version you need. Choosing the correct version will save you download time.
6. Click on “Download or convert to ISO”. This will create the ISO file for you.
7. Click “Create Download Package”.

2. Extract the Download Package

1. Once the download finishes, open the downloaded ZIP file.
2. Extract the folder containing the download files to your desktop or another accessible location.

3. Download and Run the Windows Command

1. Open the extracted folder and find the “Windows” command.
2. Right-click the command and select “Run as administrator”.
3. The download and ISO creation process will begin.
4. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half depending on your internet speed and chosen version options.

4. Create the Bootable USB Drive

1. Once the download is complete, you’ll find the ISO file in the folder.
2. Download and run Rufus (link in description).
3. Ensure your USB drive has at least 16 GB of storage available.
4. Plug in your USB drive and select it in Rufus.
5. Important: Rufus will erase all data on the USB drive. Make sure to backup any important files before proceeding.
6. Under “Select”, choose the downloaded ISO file.
7. Leave the other settings at their defaults, including the partition scheme, target system, and volume label.
8. Click “Start” to begin the bootable drive creation process.
9. The process can take some time depending on the speed of your USB drive.

5. Finishing Touches and Installation

1. Once the process is complete, you should see a “Ready” status and a green bar in Rufus.
2. Be aware that some devices may have “Secure Boot” enabled, which you might need to disable before installing Windows.
3. Plug the USB drive into the device you wish to install Windows 11 on.
4. Boot from the USB drive to begin the installation process.

Additional Notes

• If you’re using a virtual machine like VMWare or Virtualbox, you can simply mount the ISO file without creating a bootable USB drive.
• Always back up your important data before attempting any system updates or installations.
• The Windows Insider Program offers different release channels, allowing you to choose the stability level you prefer.
• If you encounter any issues, refer to the official documentation or seek assistance from Microsoft support.