Start Windows 11 from USB stick - instructions 2026

When is booting from USB useful?

Booting from a USB stick is particularly helpful in these situations:

Fixing system errors

Windows no longer starts, shows blue screens or crashes constantly.

Reinstall or repair Windows

Damaged system files can be repaired using the rescue medium.

Rescue or transfer data

Transfer your system, files and settings to a new PC.

Test a new version of Windows

Test Windows 11 without changing your existing system.

Create a Langmeier Backup rescue medium

Before you can boot from USB, you need a bootable rescue medium.

How to create a rescue medium with Langmeier Backup:

1. Open Langmeier Backup.
2. Switch to the "Tools" tab.
3. Click on "Create rescue medium".
4. Follow the wizard and select:
   • USB stick
   • CD/DVD
   • or ISO file for virtual machines

After completion, you will have a bootable rescue medium.

Tip: If possible, use a USB stick with at least 8 GB of storage space.

Start method 1: Start Windows 11 normally from the USB stick using the settings

This method works if Windows still starts normally.

Step 1: Connect the USB stick

Insert the bootable USB stick into a free USB port.

Step 2: Open advanced startup options

Open:

Start → Settings → System → Recovery

Then click on "Restart now" under "Advanced startup" .

Alternatively, you can search for "Recovery" directly in the start menu.

Step 3: Select device

After the restart, the blue Windows options menu appears.

Select:

• "Use a device"

Then select:

• "EFI USB Device"
• or the name of your USB stick

The PC then starts directly from the rescue medium.

Pro tip: Start the rescue medium directly from Windows

If Windows is still starting, you can save yourself the trouble of searching for the correct boot menu button.

This works particularly quickly:

1. Click on the Start menu and then on On/Off.
2. Hold down the Shift key.
3. Click on "Restart" at the same time.
4. Windows automatically opens the blue options menu.
5. Select:
   • "Use a device"
   • then "EFI USB Device" or your USB stick.

The computer now starts directly from the Langmeier Backup rescue medium - without frantically pressing F2, ESC or DEL during startup.

Start method 2: Windows no longer starts - use the boot menu or BIOS

If your PC crashes, shows a blue screen or Windows does not start at all, you must start via the BIOS or boot menu.

Step 1: Connect the USB stick

Insert the bootable USB stick.

Step 2: Open the boot menu or BIOS

Switch on the PC and immediately press the appropriate key several times.

Depending on the manufacturer, this is often the case:

• ESC
• F2
• F8
• F10
• DEL

You can find the exact key in your PC manual or on the manufacturer's website.

Step 3: Select USB stick as boot drive

In the BIOS or boot menu, go to the section:

• Boot
• or Boot Order

Place the USB stick in the first position.

With some BIOS versions, this is done using the arrow keys.

Step 4: Save changes

Usually press F10 to save the settings.

The computer will then boot automatically from the USB stick.

Common problems when booting from USB

USB stick is not displayed

Possible causes:

• USB stick was not created correctly
• Incorrect file system
• USB port defective
• Secure Boot blocks the medium

Solution:

• Create rescue medium again with Langmeier Backup
• Test another USB port
• Temporarily deactivate Secure Boot in the BIOS

PC still starts Windows

Check the following:

• Boot sequence in BIOS
• Whether the USB stick is really bootable
• Whether "UEFI USB" has been selected
• Whether the rescue medium was created with a newer version of Langmeier Backup (since version 15, newer UEFI boot methods are supported, which are a prerequisite for starting the rescue medium in some newer computer models).