How to use Rufus?

Simple guidelines to use Rufus on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android

Rufus is open-source software that allows you to create bootable USB drives from an ISO file. It is helpful when you require installing operating systems on Windows-based computers that lack a visual disc drive.

How to use Rufus on Windows

To use Rufus, you must have:

  • Your ISO of choice like Windows 10
  • The latest version of Rufus
  • A spare USB stick (an 8GB USB should be plenty for Windows 10 but make sure you have one that’s large enough for the ISO you’re using)

Once you’ve got these ready, just follow these steps to make your bootable USB.

Guideline for using Rufus with Windows

  1. Download the latest version of Rufus 4.3 on your Windows computer. If you are not proceeding to download Rufus on your computer, you can install the Rufus portable edition.
  2. Plug the USB drive into your computer and it will detect your USB automatically.
  3. Click the Device icon and select the USB drive from the drop-down menu.
  4. Set the Boot Selection option to Disk or ISO image.
  5. Click the Select option, it will open the file explorer window, and now select ISO image to burn onto the USB.
  6. To create Standard Windows Installation, Rufus automatically detects the right Partition Scheme according to your device. So keep the default settings.
  7. Provide the Volume label and leave the File system and Cluster size as default settings.
  8. Now click the START button.
  9. You will get a warning saying that data in USB will be destroyed and click OK to continue.
  10. Once Rufus installation is over, your bootable USB is ready to go!

How to use Rufus on Mac

Is there a Rufus for Mac version or how to use Rufus on macOS? Unfortunately, Rufus doesn’t have a Mac version now. If you insist on installing Rufus on the Mac operating system, it's possible, but it's obvious you have to take a long path.

The only way to install and run Rufus on macOS is to install a Virtual machine or dual Windows system. It is a little bit complex, but let’s see how to do it.

Guideline for using Dual Boot Windows on Mac

By using this method, you can run Windows OS on your Mac computer. So here are the steps to install dual boot through Boot Camp.

To follow the process, you have to prepare a USB drive with a 16 GB or higher storage capacity.

  1. Go to Applications > Utilities and open Boot Camp Assistant.
  2. Select the;
    • Create a Windows 10 or later installation disk
    • Install or remove Windows 10 or a later version and click Continue.
  3. Find the ISO image file you prepared.
  4. Select the Boot Camp partition size. (Recommend 64 GB or higher)
  5. Click the install and within a few minutes, you can see the Windows 10 setup screen.
  6. As with the normal Windows installation process, configure your system step by step, including language, entering your product key, etc.
  7. Install drivers and all required tools on the Mac computer.
  8. After installing all necessary drivers, your dual-boot system should now be ready to go

You can now install and run Rufus on macOS and start creating bootable USB installers.

To switch between Windows and macOS, simply hold down the Option key at startup.

Guideline for using Windows Virtual Machine on Mac

This method is a little bit simpler than the Boot Camp method. So let’s see how to do it.

  1. Download and install a Virtual machine on your Mac computer.
  2. Click the New button, give a name for your Virtual machine, and continue.
  3. Click Start to boot the new Windows 10 volume.
  4. Specify the device memory of at least 1GB for the 64-bit system.
  5. Click the Create a virtual hard disk now and click the Create option.
  6. Select the VirtualBox Disk Image and continue in the new window.
  7. Hit the dynamically allocated option and wait until the installation is over.
  8. Now Windows 10 will begin to install on VirtualBox.
  9. Find the keyboard and language and click the next button.
  10. Complete the basic settings of Windows installation and launch Windows 10 from VirtualBox.

Now you can run Rufus on macOS via VirtualBox and create bootable USB drives.

How to use Rufus on Linux

Does Rufus have a Linux version? The answer is No. The Rufus is not compatible with Linux operating systems. But don’t lose hope. Some Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc support running Rufus on the Linux operating system.

Before using this software, make sure you have the following requirements.

  • ISO image file
  • 16 GB USB drive for RedHat & DVD ISO/ 8 GB USB drive for Ubuntu and other Linux Distribution

Once you’ve got these ready, just follow these steps to make your bootable USB.

Guideline for using Rufus with Linux

Now follow the below step-by-step guide to create a bootable USB drive in a few clicks.

  1. Download the latest version of Rufus on your computer.
  2. Run Rufus and plug the USB flash drive into the device.
  3. Click the SELECT button to find the ISO image file on your system.
  4. Select the storage device you require to work and set the Boot selection.
  5. Choose the Partition Scheme and Target system and other details as necessary.
  6. Now click the START button to begin the ISO flashing process.
  7. Now you are required to download “Idlinux.sys” and “Idlinux.bss” files.
  8. Click Yes and find the ISO image to write from your USB drive.
    • Write ISO image mode
    • Write DD image mode
  9. This step will format your USB drive and click OK if you have backup files.
  10. Wait until the process is over, and you are ready to go!

How to use Rufus on Android

Is Rufus available for Android devices? Unfortunately, Rufus is not available for Android devices yet. So what if you need to create a bootable USB drive from an Android device? Do not need to worry anymore. Many similar apps have similar functionality as Rufus.

Of these, ISO 2 USB utility comes as the most reliable option here.

Want to know how to create a bootable USB from Android? Before that, make sure you have the following requirements.

  • 4 GB or 8GB Pen Drive
  • An OTG Cable Connector
  • ISO image file to your chosen OS
  • ISO 2 USB Android app

Guideline for using ISO 2 USB with Android

Let’s start with the following step-by-step guides.

  1. Install the ISO 2 USB application from Google Play Store.
  2. Connect your USB drive to an Android device using an OTG cable connector.
  3. Open the application and make sure your USB is connected or not. (Check your file manager to find that)
  4. Pick USB Pin Drive and Pick ISO File by clicking on the PICK button.
  5. Enable the Format USB Driver checkbox and click the “START” button.
  6. Wait for a few minutes until the process is over.
  7. It will show a message 100% Done and USB Device Removed.
  8. Now you are ready to go with your Windows installer.

Final Words on How to use Rufus on Windows, Mac, Linux, & Android

That’s all how you can simply create a bootable USB drive using Rufus. This smart software is only available for the Windows operating system but there are other ways to use Rufus on Linux and macOS running computers. Also, you can use different alternatives that have similar functionalities as Rufus.