To create a Windows 11 bootable USB, use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, select USB flash drive, and let the tool prepare an empty drive with at least 8 GB of space. If you already have a Windows 11 ISO, Rufus gives you another way to turn it into installation media.

A bootable USB lets you start Windows Setup even when the installed copy of Windows will not load. You can use it to install Windows on a new SSD, reinstall your PC, or open recovery tools to investigate a startup problem.