Creating a Bootable Windows 11 ARM64 USB with Rufus

If you’re looking to install Windows 11 on an ARM-based device, such as a Copilot+ PC with a Snapdragon processor, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the process of using Rufus, a popular, open-source software tool, to create bootable USB media for your installation needs.

Why Use Rufus for Windows 11 ARM64?

Unlike the official Media Creation Tool, Rufus offers the convenience of directly downloading the Windows 11 ARM64 ISO file from Microsoft’s servers. This feature eliminates the need for additional tools, streamlining the entire process while providing the capability to create a USB bootable drive swiftly and efficiently.

Requirements for Creating a Bootable USB

Before proceeding, ensure that you have the following:

  • A USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage.
  • Access to the internet to download the necessary files.

Steps to Create a Windows 11 ARM64 USB Using Rufus

Follow the steps below to create your bootable USB drive:

  1. Visit the Rufus website.

  2. Download the latest version of Rufus from the “Download” section.

  3. Double-click on the Rufus executable file to run the tool.

  4. Access the Settings by clicking the third button from the left at the bottom of the interface.

    Quick note: Modify update settings if the “Download” option is not visible.
  5. Select the Daily option under the “Check for updates” setting in the Settings area.

  6. Close the Settings window by clicking the Close button twice.

  7. Restart the Rufus application.

  8. In the “Device” section, select your USB flash drive if it’s not already chosen.

  9. Click the down-arrow button on the right and select the Download option.

    Rufus Windows 11 ARM ISO download option

  10. Click the Download button.

  11. Choose the Windows 11 option.

  12. Click Continue to proceed.

  13. Select the latest version of the operating system from the list.

  14. Click Continue again.

  15. Choose the Windows 11 Home/Pro/Edu version.

  16. Click Continue.

  17. Select your desired installation language.

  18. Click Continue.

  19. Critical: Make sure to select the ARM64 architecture option.

    Rufus download arm64 Windows 11 ISO file

  20. Click Download.

  21. Choose a location to save the Windows 11 ARM64 ISO file.

  22. Proceed with the default settings provided by Rufus.

  23. Optionally, assign a name to the drive under the “Volume label” setting (e.g., “Windows 11 24H2 Setup”).

  24. Click the Start button to begin creating your bootable USB.

  25. On the “Windows User Experience” page, deselect all options to create a standard installation media without modifications.

    Rufus user experience settings

  26. Confirm your choice by clicking the OK button.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve followed the steps outlined above, you will successfully have a bootable USB ready to install Windows 11 on your Copilot+ PC or any compatible ARM-based device. Should you encounter any difficulties during the process, consult the Rufus documentation or user forums for additional support.

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