How to Create ISO of USB Drive: 2 Easy Ways

This article describes two ways to teach creating an ISO of a USB drive, including using the Rufus utility as well as a professional media creator - AOMEI Backupper.

Miya

By Miya Updated on January 2, 2024

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Can you Create An ISO from USB?

Yes, it is possible to create an ISO from a USB drive. Answer: Yes, it is possible to create an ISO from a USB drive. Creating an ISO (Disk Image) from a USB drive involves capturing the contents of the USB drive in a single file format. While ISO files are typically associated with optical discs, the process can be adapted for USB drives.

One common approach is to use Rufus. Alternatively, user-friendly tools like AOMEI Backupper provide a GUI-based method for creating bootable USB drives from USB content. Always exercise caution to avoid data loss during these processes. Let's take a look at how to create ISO of USB drive next.

How to Create ISO of USB Drive with 2 Ways

As mentioned earlier, there are two ways to create ISO of USB drive. This section will tell you the exact steps to take, so please read it carefully!

👉2. Use USB Media Creator- AOMEI Backupper (Recommend)

1. Use Rufus

Creating ISOimageof a USB drive involves using specialized software. One common tool for this task is Rufus. Here's a general guide on how to create an ISO from a USB drive using Rufus:

Step 1. Visit the Rufus official website (https://rufus.ie/) and download the latest version of the Rufus tool. Plug your USB drive into your computer.

Step 2. Select your USB drive from the Device dropdown menu.

Device Dropdown

Step 3. Under Boot selection, click on the Select button and choose the ISO file or select Disk or ISO image (Please select) and then choose ISO Image to create an ISO from the USB drive.

Select Button

Step 4. Ensure the Partition scheme and File system are set according to your needs.

Step 5. Click on the Start button to begin the process. Rufus will prompt a warning that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Confirm and proceed.

Rufus will start creating the ISO. Wait for the process to complete. Once the process is done, Rufus will show "READY" at the bottom. You can now close Rufus.

Remember to back up any important data on the USB drive before using Rufus, as the process will erase all data on the drive.

2. Use USB Media Creator- AOMEI Backupper (Recommend)

Now that you're familiar with the entire process of creating ISO of USB drive using Rufus, it's worth acknowledging that while Rufus is a reliable tool, it can be somewhat intricate for non-technical users. Fortunately, there's a simpler alternative for creating ISO of bootable USB drive on a Windows PC, and it goes by the name of AOMEI Backupper– a user-friendly and proven-effective software solution.

▶Versatile Boot Disk Creation: It allows the creation of boot disks for both Windows PE and Linux.
▶Flexible Bootable Media Options: Options include USB flash drives, CDs, DVDs, and the ability to export AOMEI ISO files as needed.
▶Universal Windows Compatibility: Compatible with all editions of Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.

Creating a Bootable USB Flash Drive:

✌Preparations:

  • Download and Install: Before you begin, download and install the software on your PC from the provided link.
  • USB Drive Connection: Connect a USB drive to your PC in preparation for the process.
AOMEI Backupper

Best free Windows bootable media creator for personal use.

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper and choose the Create Bootable Media option located in the Tools tab.

Create Bootable Media

Step 2. From the window that appears, opt for the Windows PE - Create bootable disc based on Windows PE (recommended) and proceed by clicking Next.

Windows PE

♥Tip: While you have the option to create a bootable disk based on the Linux kernel, please note that it only supports basic functions of AOMEI Backupper.

Step 3. For a bootable USB drive, simply choose USB Boot Device as depicted in the screenshot, and then proceed by clicking Next.

Select USB Drive

Step 4. Upon completion of the operation, click Finish to exit the interface.

Now that you've successfully created a bootable USB, proceed to reboot your computer. Set the USB drive as the primary boot device in the BIOS settings and verify if your computer can boot from the disc.

✌You also can use this tool to backup data to protect data

As we mentioned above, it's important to back up your data. This software is also remarkable backup and restore software, so you can make full use of this software to backup your system, file, disk, or email backup (Pro version).

System Backup

Summary

Creating ISO of USB drive using Rufus can be a bit complex, requiring patience. If you're looking for an easier alternative, consider using third-party software like AOMEI Backupper.

This versatile tool not only simplifies the process of creating a bootable USB but also provides comprehensive computer protection, such as backing up the C drive in Windows 11 to safeguard your data in case of a system crash.

Miya
Miya · Editor
Miya has an excellent insight and receives professional and systematic technical training since joining AOMEI. She has a comprehensive understanding of computer issues, aiming at helping users troubleshoot all kinds of problems. A lot of computer users around the world have found her articles very helpful!