Tools Solve Computer Problems 

Make a bootable USB drive
 Tester

The Tools

  1. Windows Defender Offline: Microsoft Windows Defender Offline is a free utility built into Windows 10. Windows Defender Offline is a powerful offline scanning tool that runs from a trusted environment, without starting your operating system.
    • When should I use Windows Defender Offline? Run Windows Defender Offline if:
      • Windows Defender Security Center detects rootkits or other highly persistent malware on your PC and alerts you to use Windows Defender Offline. You might see a message saying that malware was found on your device, or a message in Windows Defender Security Center notifying you that additional cleaning is required.
      • You suspect your PC has malware that might be hiding on your PC, but your security software doesn’t detect anything. In this case, you can start a Windows Defender Offline scan from Windows Security settings. Here’s how:
        1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Security  > Virus & threat protection .
        2. On the Virus & threat protection screen, under Threat history, select Run a new advanced scan.
        3. On the Advanced scans screen, select Windows Defender Offline scan, and then select Scan now.
  2. * Microsoft Safety Scanner: The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software. The Microsoft Safety Scanner is not a replacement for using an antivirus software program that provides ongoing protection.
  3. *Windows Recovery drives created and used on machines with the April 9, 2024 security update and the revocation policy applied may be impacted.
    The Recovery Drive utility in Windows is a valuable tool that backs up essential system files needed to restore a PC to its original state. This utility creates USB recovery media that can restore your Windows device to its factory settings, even if you replace the hard drive or completely wipe it. The recovery media includes built-in Windows files, any updates installed when you create it, and any customizations from the PC manufacturer, ensuring a reliable backup solution for bare-metal recovery scenarios.
To create a bootable Windows USB drive, use the official Microsoft tool or a third-party utility like Rufus. [1, 2]
Option 1: Using the Official Windows Media Creation Tool (Easiest for Windows)

  • Go to Microsoft’s website and download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 or Windows 11.
  • Plug in your USB flash drive.
  • Run the downloaded tool and accept the license terms.
  • Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, then click Next.
  • Choose your language, edition, and architecture, then select USB flash drive.
  • Pick your USB drive from the list. The tool will download the files and write them to the drive automatically. [1, 2, 3]

    Option 2: Using Rufus (For Custom ISOs or Advanced Tweaks)

    • Download Rufus and run the executable.
    • Plug your USB drive into your computer and select it under the Device drop-down menu in Rufus.
    • Under Boot selection, click Select to choose your downloaded operating system ISO file.
    • Leave the partition scheme on GPT (for modern UEFI systems) or MBR (for older BIOS systems).
    • Click Start and confirm the warning that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Wait for the green status bar to show “Ready”. [1, 2, 3, 4]

    Using Rufus to “burn” ISO files onto a bootable flash drive.

    • Note: Rufus says it’s for use with Linux distributions, but it will create a bootable flash drive from about any ISO file you have.

    inputprobe.com – Every tool runs locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

     

     

     

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