How to Fix a Windows Installer That Won’t Load from a USB Drive
When the Windows installer does not load from a USB drive, it often indicates problems with the bootable drive, BIOS settings, or compatibility issues. If you are new to creating a bootable USB drive, consider following the methods below to identify any mistakes that might have led to this situation.
There are several things you need to know before creating a bootable drive to avoid any issues during Windows installation. Fortunately, we have covered every step that should be considered when installing Windows.
1. Ensure the USB Drive is Booted Correctly
The first thing you should do is ensure that you have correctly created a bootable device. The most common cause of this issue is an improperly booted USB drive. We recommend using a third-party tool like Rufus to make the USB drive bootable. Additionally, make sure to select the correct partition scheme, such as MBR for BIOS Legacy or GPT for UEFI. If you are sure about these factors, you can proceed to the next methods to fix the issue.
2. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings
Another thing you need to ensure is that the USB device is set as the first boot device in the BIOS settings. Otherwise, you won’t be able to boot the USB drive unless you disconnect all your hard drives.
- Turn off your computer completely.
- Then, turn it back on. As soon as you see the manufacturer logo, press the keys that take you to the BIOS settings. Common keys include F12, Delete, F2, Esc, or F10. Check your computer’s manual if you’re unsure or you can also check our detailed guide on BIOS key for different manufacturers.
- Once you have reached the BIOS, find and navigate to the settings related to the CMOS features. Then, navigate to the settings related to Hard Disk Boot Priority.
- Here, move your USB bootable drive to the first place among all the hard drives.
- Once done, check if the problem is resolved.
3. Use a Different USB Port or Drive
I personally encountered this issue where the USB drive did not boot when I wanted to install Windows. I fixed it by simply changing the USB port. So, if you are confident that you have done everything correctly, it is recommended that you try different ports to see if the issue is resolved.
4. Re-download Windows ISO
Lastly, if the problem is not resolved, you should try re-downloading the Windows ISO file from the official Microsoft website and then use third-party utility software such as Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows ISO file.
For a detailed demonstration, follow the steps in our article How to Install Windows on your PC Using a USB.
