The bootsect command later will take care of everything

You can just keep going, for later OS’s this is not a required step.

The ACTIVE command can only be used on fixed MBR disks.” “The selected disk is not a fixed MBR disk.

Note: if you are installing a version later than 2016 (eg 2019, 2022) you may get an error on the Active Command.

CAUTION: the next line is the one that wipes the drive

Note: after you run list disk again, the drive should be prefaced with an asterisk “*” Make sure this is the case, so you do not wipe the wrong drive.

Replace the ? in the next command with the number of the disk displayed in the list disk command results.

Make a note of the disk number of the drive you want to format and make bootable.

NOTE: It is best to use a USB 2 drive because some hardware cannot boot to USB 3.Ĥ) Next you will run Diskpart to prepare the disk for the OS I also recommend you disconnect all external drives to limit mistakes. I strongly recommend you have a good backup of all drives attached to the machine before running. URGENT NOTE: The following commands will completely wipe out your disk without warning so make sure you select the proper disk. Start | type cmd | Right-click cmd (top of menu) | Run as Administrator (accept the elevation request) In my case it is D: and 32gb You will likely need at least an 8gb drive as the bits will require 4.9gb.ģ) You need to run an elevated command prompt. In my case it is drive I:Ģ) Put in the USB Thumb Drive Key in the computer and make note of the drive letter and the size of the disk. You could also download from or other subscription service.ġ) Double-click the ISO file to mount it (or mount the ISO) and make note of the drive letter.

See for the Technical Preview of Windows Server 2016. If you do not have the media, you will need to download. I have also fully tested Windows Server 2019. The USB drive I created with these instructions was used to successfully install Windows Server 2016 TP on bare metal with only one internal drive which was wiped during the installation. If you want to create a bootable USB with Windows 10 using the executable, see: Download Windows 10 and Create bootable USB Thumb Drive for Booting to Installation PLUS Data Migration. Note: this post DOES NOT use any downloadable. They should work on prior versions of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7 and Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

These procedures were written and tested using Windows Server 2016 but will work on any version of Windows Server or Windows Desktop version 8 or above. Tagged GURU-Tip / How To / Step-By-Step / Windows 10 / Windows Server 2016

Create a bootable usb drive windows 10