Rufus
Free
1.3M
Rufus – The Ultimate Tool for Creating Bootable USB Drives
Are you looking for a fast, reliable, and lightweight tool to create a bootable USB drive? Rufus is one of the best free utilities designed specifically for this purpose. Whether you’re installing Windows, Linux, or performing BIOS/UEFI updates, Rufus makes the process effortless. This single-page guide explains everything you need to know about Rufus — its features, usage, benefits, and why it’s trusted by millions of users around the world.
What is Rufus
Rufus is a lightweight, free, and open-source utility designed to help users create bootable USB drives with ease. Developed by Pete Batard in 2011 and actively maintained on GitHub. Whether you’re installing a new operating system, running a live Linux distribution, or updating firmware, Rufus makes the process simple and reliable. Originally developed for Windows, Rufus is widely recognized for its speed, efficiency, and user-friendly interface. It does not require installation — just download and run the .exe file.
One of Rufus’s key strengths lies in its ability to quickly format USB drives and write ISO files to them, turning an ordinary USB stick into a powerful bootable tool. Unlike some bulky tools, Rufus is a standalone application that doesn’t require installation—just download and run it directly. It supports a wide range of ISO images, including Windows, Linux, and other bootable disk images.
Ideal for IT professionals, tech enthusiasts, and even beginners, Rufus is especially useful when preparing systems for clean installations, recovering systems, or testing operating systems without affecting your main setup. It supports both legacy BIOS and modern UEFI boot modes, ensuring compatibility across various hardware configurations.
Rufus is not only fast—it’s trusted. Users appreciate its consistent performance, minimal system resource usage, and regular updates that keep it compatible with the latest technologies. Whether you’re creating a Windows 11 installer or a bootable Ubuntu live USB, Rufus provides a reliable and hassle-free experience every time.
In short, Rufus is an essential tool for anyone who needs to create bootable USB drives quickly, safely, and efficiently.
Key Features of Rufus
Rufus is widely known for its powerful capabilities despite its small size. It’s a go-to tool for anyone who needs to create bootable USB drives quickly and reliably. Below are the key features that make Rufus stand out from other USB booting utilities
High-Speed Performance
Rufus is optimized for speed. It is significantly faster than other tools like the Windows Media Creation Tool or UNetbootin. Whether you’re flashing a Windows ISO or a Linux distro, Rufus minimizes wait time and ensures your bootable drive is ready in minutes.
Supports Multiple Boot Schemes
Rufus supports both MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) partitioning schemes. It also works with both BIOS and UEFI boot modes, making it compatible with modern and legacy systems alike.
Broad ISO Compatibility
Rufus supports a wide variety of ISO files, including : Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 and Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Kali Linux, etc.), Rescue and antivirus bootable tools and System utilities and firmware updates.
Free & Open Source
Rufus is 100% free and open source, with no hidden ads, bloatware, or paywalls. It’s actively maintained and trusted by millions worldwide.
No Installation Required
Rufus is a portable application — no installation needed. You can run it directly from your computer or carry it on a USB stick.
User-Friendly Interface
The interface is clean, straightforward, and easy to use, even for beginners. Advanced users also benefit from more detailed formatting and partitioning options.
Advanced Formatting Options
You can select file systems like FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT, set cluster sizes, create extended labels, and more — giving you full control over the drive configuration.
UEFI & Legacy BIOS Compatibility
Rufus automatically detects and supports both modern UEFI and legacy BIOS boot modes, making it extremely versatile for different types of systems.
Error Checking and Log Creation
If something goes wrong, Rufus provides detailed logs and error messages to help diagnose the issue. This is especially useful for advanced users and developers.
Rufus Download
Release Date
Type
Platform
File Size
Download File
June 15, 2025
Standard
Windows x64
2 MB
June 15, 2025
Portable
Windows x64
2 MB
June 15, 2025
Standard
Windows x86
1.9 MB
June 15, 2025
Standard
Windows ARM64
6 MB
System Requirement :
Operating System : Windows 8 or any new version of Windows. Just download the application and it is ready to use.
Release Date
June 15, 2025
Type
Standard
Platform
Windows x64
File Size
2 MB
Download File
Release Date
June 15, 2025
Type
Portable
Platform
Windows x64
File Size
2 MB
Download File
Release Date
June 15, 2025
Type
Standard
Platform
Windows x86
File Size
1.9 MB
Download File
Release Date
June 15, 2025
Type
Standard
Platform
Windows ARM64
File Size
6 MB
Download File
50+
Supported ISOs
AlmaLinux, Arch Linux, Archbang, NT Password Registry Editor, OpenSUSE, BartPE/pebuilder, CentOS, Ubuntu, Damn Small Linux, Ultimate Boot CD, Fedora, FreeDOS, Gentoo, gNewSense, Hiren’s Boot CD, LiveXP, Knoppix, Kubuntu, Parted Magic, Slackware, Tails, Trinity Rescue Kit, Windows XP (SP2 or later), Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Garuda Linux, GParted, Kali Linux, KolibriOS, Manjaro Linux, Raspberry Pi OS, Raspbian, ReactOS, Red Hat, rEFInd, Rocky Linux, Super Grub2 Disk, TrueNAS CORE, UEFI Shell, Windows XP (SP2+), Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, Windows 11
30+
Supported Languages
Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia, Български, Čeština, Dansk, Deutsch, Ελληνικά, English, Español, Français, Hrvatski, Italiano, Latviešu, Lietuvių, Magyar, Nederlands, Norsk, Polski, Português, Português do Brasil, Русский, Română, Slovensky, Slovenščina, Srpski, Suomi, Svenska, Tiếng Việt, Türkçe, Українська, 简体中文, 正體中文, 日本語 , 한국어, ไทย, עברית , العربية , پارسی .
Common Use Cases of Rufus
Rufus is more than just a bootable USB creator — it’s a powerful tool with multiple practical applications for everyday users, IT professionals, and system administrators. Here are some of the most common and useful cases where Rufus proves invaluable :
Installing Operating Systems :
Whether it’s Windows, Linux, or other OS platforms, Rufus helps you create installation media from ISO files. It’s ideal for clean installs, system upgrades, or setting up new PCs without a CD/DVD drive.Running Live Linux Distributions :
Need to try a Linux distro without installing it? Rufus can create a Live USB that lets you boot directly into Linux for testing, troubleshooting, or using secure environments.BIOS and Firmware Updates :
Some motherboard or hardware vendors provide BIOS update tools that require DOS bootable drives. Rufus can create a FreeDOS bootable USB for flashing firmware or BIOS safely.System Recovery and Repair :
Rufus can be used to create bootable antivirus rescue disks, recovery environments, and system repair tools — perfect for fixing unbootable systems or removing malware.Partitioning and Disk Cloning Utilities :
You can use Rufus to load tools like GParted, Clonezilla, or Acronis from ISO files, turning your USB into a powerful system management toolkit.
Why Choose Rufus Over Other Tools?
There are many bootable USB creators available, but Rufus stands out due to its
Speed : Rufus is significantly faster than other tools like UNetbootin or Windows Media Creation Tool.
Compatibility : Works with a vast range of ISO files and supports both modern and older systems.
Clean Interface : Minimalist, ad-free, and easy to understand for any user.
No Bloatware : Many alternatives bundle additional software; Rufus keeps it clean and simple.
Regular Updates : Actively maintained and updated for new OS releases and features.
Pros and Cons of Rufus
✅ Pros
- Extremely fast in creating bootable USB drives
- Free and open-source, with no ads or bloatware
- No installation required — fully portable tool
- Supports BIOS & UEFI, MBR & GPT partition schemes
- Works with Windows, Linux, and utility ISOs
- Small file size (under 2MB) — ultra-lightweight
❌ Cons
- Only available for Windows (no Mac support)
- USB drive is formatted — risk of data loss
- Limited built-in ISO download options
- Persistent storage support is limited
- May be confusing for complete beginners
How to use Rufus (Quick Guide)
Using Rufus to create a bootable USB drive is simple and fast — even for beginners. You don’t need to install the software. Just follow these easy steps :
Download Rufus from above download section or click here ➤ Download
Insert your USB drive (minimum 8GB recommended) into your PC.
Launch Rufus.exe — no installation needed.
Click “SELECT” and choose the ISO file (Windows, Linux, or other OS).
Choose the correct Partition Scheme (MBR for legacy BIOS or GPT for UEFI).
Leave other settings as default (or adjust if needed), then click “START”.
Wait for the process to complete — Rufus will format the USB and copy the bootable files.
⚠️ Note : All data on the USB drive will be erased. Make sure to back up your files before proceeding. Once done, your USB is ready to boot — just restart your PC, enter the boot menu, and select the USB drive to begin installation or system recovery.
FAQ
Can Rufus create a multiboot USB
Rufus is a lightweight, free, and open-source utility designed to help users create bootable USB drives with ease. Developed by Pete Batard in 2011 and actively maintained on GitHub. Whether you’re installing a new operating system, running a live Linux distribution, or updating firmware, Rufus makes the process simple and reliable. Originally developed for Windows, Rufus is widely recognized for its speed, efficiency, and user-friendly interface. It does not require installation — just download and run the .exe file. One of Rufus’s key strengths lies in its ability to quickly format USB drives and write ISO files to them, turning an ordinary USB stick into a powerful bootable tool. Unlike some bulky tools, Rufus is a standalone application that doesn’t require installation—just download and run it directly.
Can Rufus create a multiboot USB
Rufus is a lightweight, free, and open-source utility designed to help users create bootable USB drives with ease. Developed by Pete Batard in 2011 and actively maintained on GitHub. Whether you’re installing a new operating system, running a live Linux distribution, or updating firmware, Rufus makes the process simple and reliable. Originally developed for Windows, Rufus is widely recognized for its speed, efficiency, and user-friendly interface. It does not require installation — just download and run the .exe file. One of Rufus’s key strengths lies in its ability to quickly format USB drives and write ISO files to them, turning an ordinary USB stick into a powerful bootable tool. Unlike some bulky tools, Rufus is a standalone application that doesn’t require installation—just download and run it directly.
Can Rufus create a multiboot USB
Rufus is a lightweight, free, and open-source utility designed to help users create bootable USB drives with ease. Developed by Pete Batard in 2011 and actively maintained on GitHub. Whether you’re installing a new operating system, running a live Linux distribution, or updating firmware, Rufus makes the process simple and reliable. Originally developed for Windows, Rufus is widely recognized for its speed, efficiency, and user-friendly interface. It does not require installation — just download and run the .exe file. One of Rufus’s key strengths lies in its ability to quickly format USB drives and write ISO files to them, turning an ordinary USB stick into a powerful bootable tool. Unlike some bulky tools, Rufus is a standalone application that doesn’t require installation—just download and run it directly.