Full Guide: How to Make Dell Boot from USB in UEFI Mode

User case: Need Dell boot from USB in Windows 10 UEFI mode

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) boot mode is a new motherboard boot project following the BIOS, breaking many of the limitations of the BIOS mode, including limitations on hard drive size, boot process, number of partitions, and security with more advanced features.

From this page, you will learn the scenarios to make Dell boot from USB in UEFI mode and how to enable it with a stepwise guide.

How to boot from USB in UEFI mode Dell

To successfully boot from a USB drive in UEFI mode, it's essential that your computer's hardware supports UEFI. One crucial requirement is that your system disk must be formatted as GPT (GUID Partition Table). If your disk is currently using MBR (Master Boot Record), you'll need to convert MBR to GPT disk before proceeding.

First, prepare a bootable USB drive with the necessary operating system files. Once your USB drive is ready, access the Dell Boot Menu to add a boot option for UEFI. This will allow your system to boot from the USB drive. Below are the steps you should follow to enable this option.

♠ To make Dell boot from USB drives, you’d better keep your desktops or laptops connected to the power cable so it won’t shut down during the process.

1. Turn off your Dell computers and connect the USB drive that you want to boot from.

2. Turn on the computer. When you see the Dell logo on the screen, press F2 during the boot process to enter the BIOS.

3. Select the Advanced menu tab and select CSM Configuration in BIOS Settings.

4. Within the Boot option filter section, select UEFI only in the CSM.

5. Using the arrow keys, select the bootable USB drive (here listed as SanDisk) you want to boot from and then press Enter.

6. Press F4 to save the selection and exit the selection screen.

7. When prompted to confirm the option to Save & Exit, select Yes and press Enter. The system begins to boot from the selected USB in UEFI mode.

Create Dell bootable USB with AOMEI Backupper

If you want to boot your computer using a bootable USB but aren’t sure how to create one, you’re in the right place. In this section, I’ll recommend a great free tool to help you make a bootable USB for times when your system fails. AOMEI Backupper Standard is the best free media creator for this task.

📌It allows you to create bootable USB drives, CDs/DVDs, or ISO files, which can boot various computer brands like Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
📌It works with both BIOS and UEFI modes and has no restrictions on the file system.
📌The bootable USB you create with AOMEI Backupper will work with all versions of Windows, including 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

Now, let’s go through the steps to create a Windows 11 UEFI bootable USB using AOMEI Backupper Standard.

☎ Please note that during the process of creating a bootable USB, the data on your USB drive will be formatted, so please backup the files on the USB drive if they are still important to you.

Step 1. Download the freeware, install and launch it on your Dell computer. Insert your USB formatted as NTFS to your computer.

Step 2. Then click Create Bootable Media under the Tools tab.

Step 3. Select Bootable Disc Type. It’s recommended to select Windows PE. This option is suitable for everyone and offers you more operations than Linux.

Step 4. Tick USB Boot Device and then click Next to move on. Wait for the process to complete and click Finish.

✍ Tips:
◊ If you don’t have an extra USB drive for bootable media, you can go to Tools > Recovery Environment to create anAOMEI recovery environment. This feature is available in higher editions and makes it easy to recover backups if your system fails.
◊ If you need to boot a Dell computer from a network, consider using the PXE boot tool or the AOMEI Image Deploy feature. Both options are included in the advanced edition.

Why need to make Dell boot from USB in UEFI?

A bootable USB drive can be considered as a modern-day replacement for old CDs, which we have been using to install various operating systems. It is compact and easy to use in comparison to CDs. It allows you to use the file system stored in a flash drive to boot the computer rather than using hardware. Here are some main purposes why you may want to enable Dell UEFI boot from USB in Windows 10.

For upgrading or installing. Just as Windows 11 released a new updated version, you may encounter Windows 11 install not detecting SSD error. Hence, you can boot from a USB device, upgrade, or install it to experience it.

For troubleshooting. When there is a severe problem with your computer such as a PC slow startup on Windows 11, you might end up reinstalling the system to fix it. With a bootable USB drive, you can easily troubleshoot the problems by yourself.

For system recovery. With a pre-created backup, you can also use a bootable USB to perform a full system image recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q 1: What should I do if my Dell does not recognize the USB?

A 1: Ensure that the USB drive is formatted correctly as FAT32 and try connecting it to a different USB port. Check the UEFI settings to ensure it is set as a boot device.

Q 2: What is the difference between UEFI and Legacy Boot?

A 2: UEFI supports larger hard drives and has faster boot times compared to Legacy Boot, which is based on the older BIOS technology.

Q 3: Is Secure Boot necessary?

A 3: Secure Boot is a security feature that prevents unauthorized software from loading during startup. If you're having trouble booting from USB, consider disabling it temporarily.

Q 4: Can I install Linux from a USB drive on my Dell?

A 4: Yes, you can boot from a USB drive to install various Linux distributions. Ensure the USB drive is configured as bootable.

Tips for Successful USB Booting

1. Keep Your BIOS/UEFI Updated: Regular updates can enhance compatibility and performance.
2. Use Quality USB Drives: Opt for reliable brands to avoid boot failures.
3. Back-Up Important Data: Always ensure that your data is backed up before making system changes or installations.

To sum up

Now you know how to make Dell boot from USB in UEFI mode easily by following the provided steps in the above contents. Also, you are provided with the best free media creation tool to create a bootable USB for upgrading the system, troubleshooting, or system recovery.

AOMEI Backupper also allows you to create a system backup image. Whenever your computer fails to boot or other troubles such as an inaccessible boot device in Windows 11 SSD, you can use this USB to boot your computer and recover your computer to a healthy state in case you encounter similar system errors.