Having bootable media on hand can be a real lifesaver when you need to do a clean install of Windows. Luckily, setting it up is easy.
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There are two main ways to create bootable media for your Windows 11 installation: Use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool or burn the ISO yourself to removable media.
The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is a free download from Microsoft. It's the easiest way to do a clean install of Windows 11 using a USB flash drive.
Warning : A USB drive of at least 8GB in size will work. This will wipe the contents of the USB, so make sure to back up any data you want to keep first.
Here's how to use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows 11 bootable USB:
If the above method doesn't work, you can do it the old-fashioned way: Manually burn the Windows ISO to removable media like a DVD or USB drive.
Any file with the .iso extension is an exact copy of a disc. It's a virtual copy of the CD or DVD, with the same file structure and the same data. An ISO copy is called an "image" of the original.
Here's how to get the Windows 11 ISO and put it on a bootable DVD or USB:
The Windows 10 Media Creation Tool is available for free from Microsoft and offers several different ways to install Windows 10.
This tool can:
The second and third options allow us to put the Windows installation media into the boot media. The article will briefly present the steps for each method.
Warning : For 32-bit Windows installations, a 4GB USB is the minimum size that will work. For 64-bit, you'll need at least 8GB. This process will erase the contents of your USB, so be sure to back up any data you want to keep first.
Here's how to use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows 10 installation bootable USB:
If the above method doesn't work, you can manually download the Windows 10 ISO and burn it to a DVD or USB drive. This method also uses the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool mentioned above.
Here's how to use the Media Creation Tool to get the Windows 10 ISO and put it on a bootable DVD or USB:
Warning : Many DVDs do not have enough storage space to be used as Windows installation media. You must use a DVD that matches the Windows ISO file you downloaded. That's why we recommend using a USB drive instead.
To burn a Windows ISO to a DVD, you can use Windows' native ISO burner. Right-click the ISO file you downloaded and select Burn disc image .
This will open the native burner. It couldn't be simpler to use - just import your DVD and hit burn!
Additionally, there are a number of programs that can burn ISOs to DVDs and make them bootable. One of the best ways to burn CDs and DVDs on Windows is to use BurnAware, which offers a free version for home use.
If you can't use Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB, you can manually flash Windows ISO to your USB.
The easiest way to create a bootable USB is to use Rufus. Download it and open it by right-clicking on the drive and selecting Run As Administrator .
Here's how to use Rufus to burn Windows ISO to USB :
Rufus gives you the option to use the GPT file system for UEFI systems and MBR for BIOS systems. The program can detect the system you have; if you don't know what type of system you have, let Rufus choose for you!
Also, if Rufus doesn't work for you, there are many alternative tools for creating bootable USBs that you can try. Rufus only works on Windows.
When you buy Windows, you get a 25-character product key or digital license. You can still install Windows without one of these keys, but you won't be able to activate the key.
If you lose your product key, there are several ways to find it. Magical Jelly Bean KeyFinder has a free version that will display your CD key.
Additionally, you can follow Quantrimang.com's guide for other ways to find your Windows 11 or 10 product key.
Now you have a bootable version of Windows on a USB or DVD. To use it, you will need to change your PC's boot order to boot from the selected drive. This will launch the Windows Installation Wizard and then you can install Windows.
Set up the right Live Patching path for SLES 16.0 or 15 SP7, apply eligible kernel fixes, and confirm what is active without confusing it with a reboot-required kernel update.
Load a custom SLES 15 kernel module without disabling Secure Boot. Match the running kernel, sign the .ko file, enroll a MOK key, and verify loading.
SLES 15 SP5 can migrate online to SP6, but each node must reboot. Use a tested rolling upgrade or blue-green cutover to keep workloads reachable.
Use SUSE’s supported STIG profile to scan SLES 15, test remediation, review remaining findings, and retain assessment evidence.
Trace a failed Cockpit connection through DNS, port 9090, the systemd socket, firewalld, TLS, and login settings using current SUSE guidance.
Create a redundant Ethernet connection on SLES 15 with YaST and Wicked, configure active-backup bonding, and verify both ports and failover.
Turn an existing SLES 15 system into a reviewed AutoYaST profile, validate it, and use it to deploy a test server with fewer manual steps.
Install the SLES 15 KVM and libvirt tools, enable the right host service, and configure selected virtual machines to start after a reboot.
Use systemd jobs and the previous boot journal to locate a slow service, mount, or storage dependency, then correct it without masking the cause.
Use firewall-cmd to inspect the active zone, allow HTTP safely, preserve SSH access, and verify that the rule survives a reload on SLES 15.
