How to Boot into Hiren’s BootCD (HBCD) with a USB

Hiren’s BootCD (not actually a CD) is a recovery toolkit with a software suite designed to diagnose, repair, and test issues with Windows services and computer hardware. It contains a number of DOS utilities, antivirus tools, performance benchmark tools, partitioning agents, disc imaging and cloning tools, data recovery tools, BIOS tools, MBR tools, and more for testing hardware problems.

In situations where your PC randomly becomes unstable, a bootable operating system—or better yet, a recovery environment—can save you a lot of time and money by quickly troubleshooting problems with your system. For instance, your PC might begin acting up unexpectedly, so it’s advisable to have a set of “safeguards” for when things go south.

Hiren’s BootCD is packed with freeware and shareware that can be used to repair or diagnose Windows PCs. This includes hard disk tools (data recovery, defragmentation, diagnostics, imaging, partition tools, and security), Windows recovery and removable drive tools, antivirus software, password bypass utilities, and key finders. In addition, it contains a heap of performance analysis tools.

How to Make a Bootable Hiren’s BootCD via USB Flash Drive

This section outlines the complete methodology for flashing Hiren’s BootCD onto an external USB pen drive. It will cover the downloading of resources and flash tools, and later, using them to create a bootable pen drive.

↪ Pre-Requisites

1. USB Flash Drive (minimum 4GB)
2. A functional PC (Windows only)
3. An active internet connection

1) Download the Required Files (HBCD PE)

Once you’re on a working, fully functional PC with an active internet connection, head over to Hiren’s BootCD PE’s official website. On the top bar, find “Download,” and click on it. This will redirect you to the Downloads page, where you’ll see the entire HBCD software suite. Scroll down to the bottom to find the Download link.

The page also has an archive for older versions of Hiren’s BootCD if your PC is having trouble with the latest Windows 11 PE version.

2) Get Rufus

The HBCD file will be downloaded to your PC as a Disc Image File and will require external software to flash it onto a USB. Keep in mind that you can’t simply copy over the contents of HBCD onto the flash drive. For this purpose, it is advisable to download Rufus, which will be used to create the bootable USB drive.

3) Flash HBCD Onto the USB Drive via Rufus

Once you’ve downloaded the required files, it’s time to flash HBCD onto the USB. Follow the steps below to do so.

1. Open Rufus.
2. Plug in your USB drive into your PC, and make sure it is being detected.
3. In Rufus, next to “Boot selection,” click on “SELECT.”

   

4. Select the downloaded Hiren’s BootCD ISO file, and click “Open.”

   

5. From the “Partition Scheme” dropdown menu, choose “MBR” instead of GPT. This will allow you to boot from both UEFI and Master Boot Record (MBR) systems.
6. Click “Start” and hit “OK.” This will initiate the flashing process.

   

Once the flashing process is completed, you can go ahead and remove the USB. Hiren’s BootCD is now flashed onto your USB pen drive.

How to Boot Into Hiren’s BootCD

To boot from your USB drive into Hiren’s BootCD, first shut down your computer. Once it’s turned off, plug your bootable pen drive into one of the USB ports on your PC. Then, follow the steps below:

1. Press the power button on your PC.
2. During the initial startup screen (typically where you’d see the motherboard manufacturer logo), press F11, F8, F2, F1, or ESC, depending on the key set by the manufacturer. This is usually indicated as “Press… for Boot Menu.”

   

3. A menu will appear with all of your connected drives shown in order. Select your USB pen drive for the PC to boot from.

   

4. Save changes and exit the BIOS setup.

Your PC will now reboot, this time from your USB. Keep in mind that you may see a message that prompts you to “Press any key to boot from removable media.” Press any key on your keyboard, and the system will boot into Hiren’s BootCD.