Langmeier Backup

Detailed instructions: Booting Windows 11 from a USB stick

Booting Windows 11 from a USB stick can be invaluable in a variety of situations—whether you wish to test new versions, troubleshoot issues, or migrate data. In this guide, you will learn how to boot your computer from a USB stick using either the Windows settings or the boot menu/BIOS.

Create Langmeier Backup Rescue Medium

Why Boot Windows 11 from a USB Stick?

There are several scenarios in which booting Windows 11 from a USB stick is highly beneficial:

  1. Testing a New Version: You may want to try out the latest version of Windows 11 without impacting your current, stable system.
  2. Repairing System Errors: If your computer fails to start properly or crashes frequently, a bootable USB stick allows you to repair or reinstall the operating system.
  3. Data Migration: You can transfer your operating system, data, and settings to a new computer while maintaining your existing configurations.

Scenarios for Booting Windows 11 from a USB Stick

a. Normal Operation – Your computer is functioning correctly, and you can access the boot drive settings via Windows settings.

b. System Malfunction – If your computer encounters errors, crashes, or fails to boot, you will need to access the boot menu to start your computer in BIOS mode from a USB flash drive.

Let us now explore each method in detail.

Method 1: Boot Windows 11 Normally via Windows Settings

If your computer is operating normally, please follow these steps to boot from a USB flash drive:

1. Connect the USB Flash Drive: Insert a bootable USB stick into a USB port on your computer.

2. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the settings menu, then select System > Recovery.

  • Alternatively, you can search for “Recovery” in the Start menu and open the corresponding settings.

3. Advanced Startup: Click on Restart now under Advanced startup. Your computer will restart.

4. Select an Option: After restarting, you will be taken to the recovery menu. Choose the Use a device option.

5. Select Boot Device: Choose the USB stick from the list of available devices. Your computer will now reboot from the USB stick.

Method 2: PC Does Not Start Normally – Boot via Boot Menu/BIOS (Blue Screen Scenario)

If your computer displays a blue screen or crashes repeatedly, this may be due to viruses, malware, corrupted files, or failed system upgrades. In such cases, a bootable USB stick is essential for restarting and repairing your system.

1. Connect the USB Stick: Insert the bootable USB stick into a USB port on your computer.

2. Start the PC: Power on your PC and repeatedly press the appropriate key to access the boot menu or BIOS setup. The required key varies by manufacturer and model (commonly ESC, F2, F8, F10, or DEL).

  • Consult your computer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to determine the correct key for your device.

3. Change Boot Order: In the BIOS setup, navigate to the Boot or Boot Order section and set the USB stick as the first boot device.

  • In some BIOS versions, you may need to use the arrow keys to move the USB stick to the top of the boot order list.

4. Save and Exit: Press F10 (or the key indicated on your screen) to save your changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer will now boot from the USB stick.

Creating a Rescue Medium with Langmeier Backup

To boot Windows 11 from a USB stick, you must first create a bootable USB drive. This process is straightforward and efficient with Langmeier Backup software. Here’s how you can proceed:

  • Open Langmeier Backup on your computer.
  • Navigate to the Tools tab and click on Create rescue medium.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to create the rescue medium on a USB stick or CD/DVD. For virtual machines, you can also create an ISO file.
  • Once the process is complete, you will have a bootable rescue medium that you can use to restore your system.


about the author:
Chief Digital Transformation Officer

Natalia Bobro is Langmeier Software's Chief Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO) and in this role is responsible for the company's overall business development and strategy. As CDTO, Natalia Bobro focuses on positioning Langmeier Software as a leading technology company in the area of software and services.

Under Bobro's leadership, Langmeier Software focuses on a broad range of business areas, including artificial intelligence (AI) applications, cloud services and enterprise applications. It invests heavily in the development of new software products and solutions and promotes the introduction of AI & cloud services such as Cloud Backup, aBusiness Genius and aBusiness Suite.
 

Look it up further: Backups, Data backup, Data protection, Rescue medium, Windows 11, Data recovery

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