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How to Create a Windows Server 2025 Bootable USB | 2 Ways
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.
By Lori / Updated on December 25, 2024
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?
What's New in Windows Server 2025 & Why You Need a Bootable USB
Some key improvements of Windows Server 2025
Windows Server 2025 brings several key updates to make server management easier, faster, and more secure. Here are the main improvements:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Why You Need a Windows Server 2025 Bootable USB
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:
- Fresh Installations: Setting up Windows Server 2025 on a new or formatted device.
- System Repairs: Fixing corrupted files, repairing bootloaders, or troubleshooting major issues.
- Upgrades: Transitioning to Windows Server 2025 from an older version.
How to Create a Windows Server 2025 Bootable USB Drive
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:
- Windows Server 2025 ISO file: Download the ISO from the official Microsoft website.
- USB drive: Minimum 8GB storage space, formatted as NTFS or FAT32.
- Software tools: Free utilities like Rufus or MyRecover.
- PC with administrator privileges: Required to run these tools.
- Back up the USB drive: Since all data will be deleted when you format a USB drive, you can use AOMEI Backupper Standard for a full disk backup.
- Ensure your BIOS/UEFI settings are compatible with booting from a USB device.
Way 1. Create a Bootable USB Windows Server 2025 Using Rufus
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.
Step 1. Windows Server 2025 ISO Download
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.
Step 2. Mount the ISO File Using Rufus
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.
Way 2. Create a Windows Server 2025 Bootable USB using Command Prompt
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:
- diskpart
- list disk
- select disk 1 (Replace "1" with the number of your USB drive)
- clean (This will erase all data on the selected drive)
- create partition primary (Creates a primary partition on the drive)
- select partition 1
- active (Makes the partition bootable)
- format fs=ntfs (Formats the drive to NTFS)
- assign letter=g (Assign a letter to the USB drive—replace "g" with your actual USB letter)
- exit
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:
- d: (Replace "d" with the drive letter of your mounted ISO file)
- cd boot
- bootsect /nt60 G: (Replace "G" with the letter of your USB drive)
- Xcopy d:\* . * g:\ /e /f /h (d stands for the letter of Mounted ISO Volume and g stands for the letter of the USB hard 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!
Bonus: How to Recover Deleted/Lost Files from Windows Server 2025 🔥
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.
Part 1. Create Windows Server 2025 Recovery USB
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:
- USB Boot Device: This option creates a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2025.
- Export ISO File: If you prefer, you can create a bootable ISO file. After exporting, you’ll need a third-party program to burn it to a USB or CD/DVD. Alternatively, the ISO can be used to boot virtual machines or other devices.
- Burn to CD/DVD: If you need a physical media, this option creates a bootable CD or DVD.
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.
Part 2. Boot the Windows Server 2025 Recovery USB
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.
- File Type: Filter by file types such as Documents, Images, Videos, Audio, Emails, Webpages, Compressed files, etc.
- Date Modified: Narrow your search by date (e.g., today, yesterday, last 7 days, etc.).
- File Size: Filter by size (<128KB, 128KB–1MB, 1MB–512MB, >512MB).
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.
Conclusion
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.
FAQs About Windows Server 2025 Bootable USB
1. Can you boot Windows Server from a USB?
Yes, you can boot Windows Server from a USB. Here’s how:
- Insert the USB into the computer.
- Open the Boot Menu (usually by pressing F12, Esc, or Del during startup).
- Select the USB Drive from the options (choose either LEGACY BOOT or UEFI BOOT, depending on your image).
- Choose the Correct Boot Option to make sure your computer boots from the USB.
2. How to create a Windows OS bootable USB?
To create a Windows OS bootable USB:
- Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
- Select "Create installation media" in the tool.
- Pick the USB option and follow the on-screen instructions to create your bootable USB.
3. How to boot a server from a USB?
To boot your server from a USB:
- Plug in the USB.
- Open the Boot Menu (press F12, Esc, or Del when the server starts).
- Select the USB Drive (choose LEGACY BOOT or UEFI BOOT).
- Choose the Right Boot Option to boot from the USB.
4. What is migration in Windows Server?
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.
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