How to Create Boot Flash Drive from ISO
Being able to boot your computer off of a USB flash drive is vital for people who do not have a CD/DVD drive. This will allow you to install new operating systems and run programs from the flash drive. If you already have an ISO file that you were planning to use as the bootable program, you can still use it. This means you do not have to burn the ISO file to a disc, saving both time and blank discs. Simply insert your USB flash drive into the computer and boot from it.
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Instructions
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Download and install an ISO mounting program. There are many different virtual drive programs out there, and all of them work very well. Some are free and some cost a few dollars. Even the free ones work exceptionally well.
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Click on the ISO mounting software and then the notification area and a new window will appear. Browse to your ISO file and select it. Click "Open" and it will be virtually mounted. Click on the ISO mounting software again and you will see the drive letter of your new virtual drive.
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Insert your USB drive into your computer. Open a command prompt window, type in "diskpart" and then type in "list disk." A list of your available disks will be presented. Locate the one that is the size of your flash drive. There will be a disk number next to it. Remember it. Type in "select disk #" and replace the # with your flash drive's disk number. Type in "clean" and the flash drive will be cleaned out.
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Type in "create partition primary" and your flash drive will be partitioned. Type in "select partition 1" followed by "active." Next, type in "format fs=fat32" and "assign." Type in "exit" to exit the command prompt window.
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Open a new command prompt window and type in "xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\" to copy the ISO image onto the USB flash drive. The "d" in the command is the virtual drive letter. The "e" is the flash drive letter. They may be different on your computer, so double-check and type in the appropriate letter. The first letter should be your virtual disk and the second one needs to be the flash drive letter. Once the copy is complete, restart your computer.
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Press the "F2" key as soon as you see your computer manufacturer logo. This will bring you into the "BIOS Settings." The computer BIOS is the firmware that detects and controls your computer hardware. Navigate to "Boot Order" and highlight "USB Device." Press the "F6" key until "USB Device" moves to the top of the list, or says "1st Priority." Press the "F10" key to save the settings and your computer will reboot from your flash drive.
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