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đź’ľ Rufus (Bootable USB Creation Tool)
Category: Installation & Media
Author: jmarket (PCHF Founder)
Verified by: PCHF Staff • October 2025
Overview
Rufus is a lightweight, open-source utility used to create bootable USB drives for Windows and Linux installations.
Developed by Pete Batard of Akeo Consulting, Rufus is recognized for its speed, reliability, and compatibility with a wide range of ISO images.
It is frequently used by IT professionals, system builders, and enthusiasts to prepare installation or recovery media for both UEFI and Legacy BIOS systems.
Rufus supports official Windows 11 25H2 ISOs and includes advanced customization options such as bypassing TPM, Secure Boot, and Microsoft account requirements — features intended for legitimate troubleshooting and recovery scenarios only.
Key Features
- Bootable USB Creation: Write Windows, Linux, and UEFI images to USB drives quickly and securely.
- Advanced Installation Options: Optionally bypass TPM, Secure Boot, and account requirements in Windows 11 setups.
- Multiple Partition Schemes: Supports GPT/UEFI and MBR/Legacy configurations.
- Integrity Checks: Verifies ISO image signatures and media consistency before creation.
- Portable & Free: No installation required — run directly as an executable.
System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 8 or later (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Privileges: Administrator rights required
- Media: USB flash drive (8 GB minimum)
How to Create a Bootable USB Drive
- Visit the official Rufus website and download the latest version.
- Insert a USB drive (8 GB or larger).
- Launch
rufus-4.6.exe— no installation required. - Under Boot selection, click Select and choose your downloaded Windows 11 25H2 ISO.
- Choose the correct Partition scheme (GPT for UEFI systems, MBR for Legacy BIOS).
- Click Start to begin writing the image.
Example Hash Verification
Rufus executables are digitally signed, and official SHA-256 hashes are published on the project’s website.
You can verify file integrity using PowerShell or Command Prompt:
Code:CertUtil -hashfile rufus-4.6.exe SHA256
Compare the resulting hash with the one listed at rufus.ie to confirm authenticity.
Notes
- Rufus can optionally remove Windows 11 hardware checks for unsupported systems. Use this only when necessary and for legitimate testing or repair purposes.
- Always use official ISOs obtained directly from Microsoft to ensure installation integrity.
- For enterprise deployment or image automation, consider using DISM or the Media Creation Tool instead.
- Rufus is fully open-source and released under the GNU General Public License (GPLv3).
Policy
Only downloads obtained directly from rufus.ie are supported on PCHF.
Redistributed or modified executables are not permitted.
This ensures users always obtain the latest, verified version directly from the developer.
Download
Technical Information
- Publisher: Pete Batard / Akeo Consulting
- Version: 4.6 (Supports Windows 11 25H2 ISOs)
- Release Date: October 2025
- License: Freeware / Open-Source (GPLv3)
Related Articles
- Windows 11 ISO (Official Microsoft Download)
- Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (Official Microsoft Utility)
- Ventoy (Multi-ISO Boot Manager)
All content © 2025 PC Help Forum. Rufus is developed and maintained by Pete Batard of Akeo Consulting.
All download links provided point directly to the official Rufus project website. Redistribution or modification of the original executable is not permitted.