Here is a complete guide on how to create a Windows Server 2025 bootable USB using Rufus and Command Prompt. You can also learn how to recover deleted files from Windows Server 2025.
Installing or repairing your system using a bootable USB can feel like a lifesaver, especially when you're dealing with Windows Server 2025. When a server crashes or unexpected data loss occurs, a bootable USB lets you set up a new server, troubleshoot the installation, recover from problems, and run the OS from the USB.
But how do you go about creating one? This guide will help you create a Windows Server 2025 bootable USB using Rufus or Command Prompt, all in easy-to-follow steps. Let's get started, shall we?
Windows Server 2025 brings several key updates to make server management easier, faster, and more secure. Here are the main improvements:
Hybrid Cloud Flexibility: It’s easier to connect your on-premises servers with the cloud using Azure Arc, allowing you to use Azure services on your own servers.
Better Security: Windows Server 2025 offers stronger security with better protection against cyberattacks, a more secure Active Directory, and tools to set up a secure baseline from the start.
Easier Upgrades and Scaling: Upgrading to Windows Server 2025 is simpler, and it has great app compatibility. It also has a consistent user interface across both desktop and server, with support for WiFi and Bluetooth.
Improved Performance: Networking and storage are faster, and live hotpatching reduces downtime. GPU partitioning allows more efficient computing at the edge, and flash storage improvements make it great for SQL Server.
A bootable USB is like a magic key—it holds an operating system (like Windows Server 2025) that can be loaded directly onto your system, bypassing the internal storage. This is especially useful for:
Creating a Windows Server 2025 bootable USB might seem tricky, but with the right tools and instructions, it’s actually pretty simple. Here are 2 easy methods to help you get it done.
Essential tools to create a bootable USB:
Rufus is a free, open-source software designed to format and create bootable USB flash drives for Windows operating systems. This tool offers more customization features than Microsoft's own media creation tool.
Visit Microsoft’s official website and download the Windows Server 2025 bootable ISO file. Ensure you have enough storage space and note where you save the file.
1. Plug a USB drive into your computer. Download Rufus latest version and open it. The software will automatically scan for connected removable devices and will select one by default.
2. Click the Select button in Rufus and browse to the location where you saved the Windows Server 2025 ISO file. Select the file and click Open.
3. In the “Partition Scheme” dropdown, choose MBR if you are installing on a system with legacy BIOS or GPT for a system using UEFI.
4. Enter a name for your bootable USB in the Volume Label field. For File System, select FAT32 or NTFS, depending on the size of the ISO file. Use FAT32 for smaller files and NTFS for larger ones. Click START to begin creating your bootable USB drive.
If you're comfortable using a more manual method, Command Prompt (CMD) is a great option. Since it’s built into Windows, you don’t need any extra software, although it can be a bit more complicated. Here's how to create a bootable Windows Server 2025 USB drive using Command Prompt:
Step 1. Download the Windows Server 2025 ISO
Go to the official Microsoft website and download the Windows Server 2025 ISO file. Make sure you have enough storage space on your computer, and note where you save the ISO file.
Step 2. Open Command Prompt
Plug in your USB drive and make sure it’s recognized by your computer. In the Start menu, type “cmd” and right-click on Command Prompt. Select Run as administrator to open it with admin rights.
Step 3. Enter dispart commands
In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
Step 4. Mount the ISO and copy files to the USB
Mount the Windows Server 2025 ISO file by double-clicking it. In Command Prompt, type the following commands to copy the files to your USB drive:
Once done, your Windows Server 2025 bootable USB is ready to use. Simply plug it into your server, boot from it, and you’re good to go!
Once you’ve created your Windows Server 2025 bootable USB, you can use it not only to repair your system and fix issues, but also to retrieve lost or deleted data in the event of a crash. How to create a Windows Server 2022 bootable USB and recover lost data from Windows Server 2025 easily?
MyRecover is the perfect tool to help you recover your files quickly and easily. With its advanced scanning technology, MyRecover offers a high success rate in file recovery. It works seamlessly with Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 (R2), and 2008 (R2), as well as all Windows operating systems.
Why Choose MyRecover?
🍕 This tool not only creates a bootable USB/CD/DVD but also helps you recover deleted files in Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025,etc.
🍕 Support over 1000+ data types, including recovering permanently deleted photos, documents, audio, videos,compressed files, and emails.
🍕 Search, filter specific files or folders, and preview them to ensure that you have selected the right files for recovery.
🍕 Support accidental deletion recovery, Recycle Bin recovery, formatted hard drive recovery, computer crashed recovery, and virus attack recovery.
🍕 500MB of free data recovery included.
Step 1. Download and install MyRecover
Insert your USB drive into the computer. Open MyRecover and click "Crashed PC Recovery".
Step 2. Choose the bootable disk way
Choose the USB drive you want to use for creating the bootable disk. Press "Execute" to proceed with creating the bootable USB.
MyRecover gives you three options for creating a bootable disk:
You can also use the "Add Drivers" option to manually include additional drivers in the bootable disk, making sure your devices are compatible once you boot into WinPE.
Step 3. Format the USB drive
Once you’ve selected the method, an information window will pop up to confirm that the USB drive will be formatted. Make sure you’ve made a file backup before, then click "Yes" to proceed.
Step 4. Create the bootable USB drive
Now MyRecover will begin the process of creating the Windows Server 2025 bootable USB. The time it takes will depend on your system’s speed and internet connection. Once it’s finished, you’ll see a success message, along with detailed instructions on how to boot your server from the newly created USB drive.
How to recover deleted files from Windows Server 2025 effortlessly?
Step 1. Plug the Windows Server 2025 recovery USB into your computer and boot from it. Once the system loads, MyRecover will appear on the screen. Simply hover over your hard drive in Windows Server 2025 and click Scan to begin the recovery process.
Step 2. MyRecover will automatically run both a Quick Scan and a Deep Scan. Once the scan is complete, it will display all the files it finds on the selected disk.
Step 3. Select the files you want to recover. Once you’ve selected the files, click the Recover X Files button. Make sure to save them to a new location to avoid overwriting any data on the original drive.
🌟Tip: If you need to recover more than 500MB of data, consider upgrading to the Pro or Tech edition of MyRecover. These versions offer unlimited recovery size and additional features to help you with larger recovery tasks.
Creating a Windows Server 2025 bootable USB is an essential skill for anyone working in IT or server administration. With MyRecover, not only can you make Windows Server 2025 boot drive, but you can also to recover your server important files in case of a system crash or data loss.
So, why wait? Grab your USB drive, download MyRecover for free, and follow the easy steps to create a Windows Server 2025 bootable USB or create a bootable USB for Windows 10/11 in no time, which helps to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 11/10/8/7 when data is lost.
Yes, you can boot Windows Server from a USB. Here’s how:
To create a Windows OS bootable USB:
To boot your server from a USB:
Migration means moving server roles or features from one Windows Server computer to another. It’s done one at a time without upgrading the features. This helps transfer your setup smoothly.