Top 9 Best Boot Manager Tools for Windows PCs
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Boot-US
Multiple boot manager that runs in Windows or via command line, which comes packed with a powerful set of features, suitable for all user levels.
With the help of Boot-US you can manage multiple operating systems that are currently running on your machine. It comes packed with an intuitive interface, along with user documentation for those less experienced in such apps.
In order to run this utility, you must have administrative rights. The GUI is made from a regular window with a plain and simple layout, where you can view disk information.
You can select one of the available partitions from the list after reading descriptions, labels, drives, sizes and partition types, assign them with password, specify the startup delay and average time, enable a sound signal at startup, as well as set the computer to automatically select the last booted partition.
In addition, you can enable the boot manager to start in stealth mode and assign a hotkey to quickly access it, hide particular partitions on booting, as well as select the install target (primary partition, MBR on primary partition, diskette, ISO file for CD installation). Before initializing the task, you can recheck the configuration details for the boot manager.
Other options of Boot-US let you create a report with partition details (TXT format), save and restore sectors, change the UI language, password-protect the program, and specify the hard disks order on booting. Advanced users may enable tracing mode, alter the default backup directory and total files, as well as enable warnings on partitions.
Boot-US is very light on the system resources, using a minimal amount of CPU and RAM. It has a good response time and works well, without hanging, crashing or showing error messages. All in all, Boot-US offers a simple solution to managing multiple operating systems on your computer.
Boot-US Video Guide
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WinToUSB
Install Windows directly from an USB drive, using an ISO image or even a CD / DVD to deploy it on the removable device with this simple application.
WinToUSB is a reliable and user-friendly software solution whose main function is to assist you in installing then running a Windows OS from a USB stick.
Wizard-driven operation for intuitive configuration
Thanks to the wizard-style interface, you can easily perform this operation, even if you have little or even no experience in the area, thanks to the provided instructions. In order to install Windows on your USB flash or hard drive, you can use an ISO image, or a CD / DVD containing the required data.
This application enables you to use any edition of Windows 7 to 10 to create a Windows To Go drive, meaning you can connect it to any PC and run it, regardless of the operating system of the host computer.
Manage boot options and data source
Additionally, it can be booted on multiple computers; on the first connection, it automatically detects the system hardware, then downloads and installs the required drivers, so the next time it is connected to the same PC, it will instantly identify the proper tools. Because not all software supports running on such an operating system, it is advisable that they be tested initially, preventing you from encountering difficulties later on, when you might depend on that certain utility.
After opting for a certain ISO image or CD / DVD from which to extract the information, WinToUSB lets you choose the flash or hard drive you want to install Windows on. Subsequently, you can select the preferred system partition and the boot partition, then press the 'Next' button and allow the application to do its part.
A few last words
To conclude, WinToUSB is a useful program that can prove quite handy in helping you create a portable version of your Windows operating system, requiring almost no effort on your part, simply a lot of patience for the utility to go through all the necessary steps.
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EaseUS OS2GO
Create a portable and bootable copy of Windows 10 or 11 on am USB drive with the help of an application ready to offer assistance.
Have you heard about the Windows to Go feature? If you are familiar with the term, then you probably know that it was a function of Windows 8 and 10 Enterprise editions versions prior to May 2020, which allowed the system to boot from a removable USB drive, hence the name.
While this feature is no longer officially available, EaseUS created an application that promises to help you create a bootable USB with Windows 10 or 11 on it. It goes by the name of EaseUS OS2GO and makes it possible to carry Windows with you wherever you go. In other words, with its help, you can create a portable Windows edition.
Run Windows 11 on an unsupported computer
As advertised, the purpose of EaseUS OS2GO was to be able to launch Windows 11 even on a machine that does not meet the minimum system requirements for the new operating system, especially the TPM 2.0 chip, which is mandatory. To put it another way, a PC with a hardware configuration unsupported by Windows 11 should be able to boot Windows 11 from a bootable drive created by EaseUS OS2GO. Step-by-step guide to create a bootable Windows USB
The wizard-based approach of EaseUS OS2GO makes it extremely easy to use. In just a few steps, you can start creating your own bootable Windows USB, and all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions. Needless to say, a large-enough USB drive is required and a set-up Windows 10 or 11 computer.
The first screen displays the current operating system version and information about the total used storage space. Keep in mind that the USB drive you will be using to store the portable Windows should have a larger capacity than the one shown as used. Obviously, the target USB drive will be formatted, so make sure you saved all your data.
Next, the disk layout is revealed, which is identical to that of the resource drive. Optionally, you can edit the default layout to meet your requirements. And that is about all. With the click of a button, EaseUS OS2GO starts to create a bootable USB drive containing Windows, showing its progress and the elapsed time.
Run Windows from a portable USB
Working with EaseUS OS2GO is not difficult at all and your bootable drive should be ready in no time. When booting from the USB, please make sure that the booting mode (UEFI or Legacy) of the portable drive and the host machine are the same.
Unfortunately, the demo edition does not allow you to get past the first screen, which is too bad, since it would have been nice to be able to experiment with a few more steps in the wizard.
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YUMI
Create bootable media using this application, thus being able to launch system cleaners, OS installations, antivirus software and many other programs from your machine's boot menu.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
YUMI might make you think of food, but unfortunately, in this particular case, it won't really have anything to do with that. Thus, this application is aimed at the more knowledgeable users who'd like to create bootable USB stick media, be it antivirus software, defrag or maintenance apps, operating systems, or a simple system analyzer. It will require you to have an ISO file to put on your USB and also some knowledge as to what particularities each bootable app might require.
The interface is that of a tool
Well, since we're talking about raw functionality here, you can't really expect any bells and whistles, a pretty interface, or a very friendly app. You'll have to either pick some knowledge on the way, use the trial and error method, or skip on the whole deal. While it's not difficult, you need to understand that in creating a bootable USB stick, there are many variables that count. The way you format your USB drive, the amount of space available, the USB standard, all these may lead to serious headaches.
This app is straightforward
Once you've figured out all the variables, proceed to use the app itself. It will ask you for your USB drive. Select the letter that is tied to your device. Continue by selecting the distribution you'd like to add to your drive. In some cases, the app might be able to grab the ISO file for you, but don't think this feature will always work for you. The best way is to browse and find your downloaded ISO. Once everything is in place, hit the Create button and let the app handle the rest. You can boot from your USB drive after the process finishes, and check if your machine recognizes the created media.
YUMI might look like a simple and friendly app, but in the end, it requires some knowledge on the user's behalf, especially since it is difficult to handle bootable media with all the differences that exist between PCs, in general.
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FlashBoot
Create bootable USB drives for installing Windows, run a complete OS from a flash drive and more, with this intuitive application.
As typical computer users, we don't usually need to set up bootable USB drives or migrate our entire OSes to other PCs.
However, the same cannot be said regarding system administrators, developers, privacy-minded or power users, and advanced IT support personnel.
Regardless of your general PC knowledge, you can make all the above happen (and more) with a streamlined and very useful tool called FlashBoot.
What exactly is FlashBoot?
In short, FlashBoot is a tool that allows you to create installable clones of Windows 7/8.x/10. This way, you can instantly copy all your apps, documents, games, and settings from an older computer to a new one.
That's not all FlashBoot can do for you. For instance, with its help, you can also copy OSes between virtual machines and real hardware, move OSes from HDD to SSD, or RAID arrays.
FlashBoot - main features presentation
The app has four main sections: "OS Installer -> USB," "Full OS -> USB," "USB imaging and duplication," and "Format as non-bootable."
To better understand them, let's dive into the details. Starting with the installable clones of Windows 7/8.x/10, you can make a copy of your Windows OS (which includes all your data) on any external storage devices such as USB thumb drive/flash disks or USB HDDs.
This way, you can effortlessly transfer an entire OS to another computer, even it doesn't have the same hardware specifications.
If you opt for the Pro version of the app, you can also benefit from bootable clones of Windows 8.x and 10. This means that you can boot Windows directly from a USB storage device on any computer.
The Pro version also enables you to install Windows 7 on various modern Intel and AMD-based PCs. This is partially possible thanks to a series of prepackaged generic drivers for USB 3.x host controller and NVMe controller.
Free vs Pro
To sum it up, with the Free version of the app you can prepare external devices for the installation of Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 as well as Vista to internal HDDs and SSDs. Furthermore, you can benefit from a fully installed Windows 10 or 8/8.1 on a thumb drive, and boot it independently of the main OS installed on other computers.
The ability to save the USB thumb drive to an image file, copy the USB drive to another USB drive (while retaining "bootability"), install DOS to USB, install UEFI shell to USB disks, quickly format or wipe out USB drives completely, as well as to restore the USB thumb drive from file images are all things you can do with the Free edition.
Obviously, the Pro is a more compelling choice for those who actually need the advanced features it provides. With the Pro version you can create installable clones of Windows OSes with optional driver integration (NVMe, AHCI/RAID, or USB 3.0), create bootable clones of Windows 10 and 8/8.1 thumb drives (which can be booted independently from the main OS), create USB disks for fresh installs of Windows (including Vista and XP0, as well as create self-extracting archives.
Conclusion
By now, it's quite clear that FlashBoot is a very versatile and super-useful OS migration/boot-related tool. However, the beauty of FlashBoot is just how simple it is to use, mostly thanks to its intuitive wizard-based GUI.
Besides everything that has been mentioned above, FlashBoot can also create FAT32 filesystems on USB drives larger than 32 GB, it supports ESD format of source Windows installation images, it's pretty much fully functional under Windows XP, and it supports command-line interfaces (for automation purposes).
Grab yourself the Pro version, and you're rewarded with a complete tool that is not bound to one PC (it can be used on multiple PCs without extra cost or online activation.
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Rufus
Create bootable USB drives from ISOs with an operating system of your choice, with various options, including to enhance compatibility with old BIOS versions.
Installing an operating system from a USB drive is much more convenient than from a disc, and a bootable drive even enables you to work from a system that does not have an OS installed. Rufus is a small-sized app that enables users to format USB flash disks and create bootable drives rapidly. It provides standard and advanced options alike, to suit the preferences of all skill levels.
Format to the desired file system
The tool is wrapped in a user-friendly interface that resembles the Format panel found in Windows built-in features. You can select a device, partition scheme and target system type, file system type (FAT32, NTFS, UDF, exFAT), cluster size, and new volume label.
Connected devices are detected and selected from a drop-down menu. Be sure to save all important data, because the USB drive is formatted and everything is removed in the process.
Compatibility options for old BIOS
Basic formatting options enable you to check the device for bad blocks and select the algorithm type (from 1 to 4 passes). Plus, you can set the quick format mode, create an extended label and icon files, as well as create a bootable disk using an ISO or various other disc image types.
Advanced tweaks can make Rufus list fixed (non-flash) or unpartitioned USB flash disks, add fixes for old BIOS (e.g. extra partition), and you may use Rufus MBR with a selected BIOS ID.
To conclude
The program records all activity to a separate panel, and it can be saved to a LOG file. It carries out a formatting task rapidly and error-free, using low system resources. We have not come across any issues during our tests since the utility did not cause Windows to hang or crash. To sum it up, Rufus is a straightforward solution to formatting and creating bootable USB drive, providing users with a series of useful features.
Rufus Video Guide
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WinToHDD
Deploy Windows on the local computer without having to use the original CD or DVD, or create a bootable USB drive first, thanks to this simple application.
Deploying Windows shouldn’t be rocket science for users who possess basic computer knowledge, especially with the right tools at hand. Aside from creating a bootable USB drive containing all the setup files of the OS, you can try out an application such as WinToHDD. Its purpose is to help you re-install Windows without using a disc and without going through the hassle of creating a bootable USB drive.
Install, re-install or clone Windows
Attempting to make the Windows deployment procedure as simple as possible, WinToHDD comes with a straightforward, clean interface that only comprises three buttons: one for re-installing the OS on the local workstation, one for starting a fresh Windows install on a second storage device (hard drive), and the third for creating an exact copy of the local system.
In other words, not only that you can deploy Windows with WinToHDD, but it is also possible to create a copy of the Windows setup files and save it to another disk.
Go through simple steps to create a WinPE image
No matter what your choice is, getting the job done is only a matter of pressing a few ‘Next’ buttons from this point on. As expected, you are prompted to select the source ISO file that contains the Windows setup files. WinToHDD automatically reads data from the disk image and retrieves information regarding the operating system and its architecture.
Next, you must select the system partition that Windows will be deployed on and choose the installation mode. There are three available options, namely ‘Legacy’ (standard mode), ‘VHD’ or ‘VHDX’.
Whether you choose to install, re-install or clone Windows, it will take a while for WinToHDD to create the WinPE image that’s needed to proceed.
Deploy Windows without a disc or a bootable drive
Some prefer deploying Windows the old-fashioned way by booting from a disc while others like having a bootable USB drive at hand and thus not keep the Windows disk image on the computer to occupy storage space. WinToHDD offers a method to conveniently install or clone Windows without a disc or a bootable drive. This alternative will surely have its public, especially since it is easy to use and should pose no problems to the average user.
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Easy2Boot
Turn your USB flash drive into bootable media by relying on this lightweight, yet effective utility that features no Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Note: Some anti-malware applications may trigger alerts for Easy2Boot. Our tests have shown that these are, in fact, false positives, so it's safe to download and install the tool.
If you frequently use bootable media to install operating systems or tweak some of your computer's components, you probably understand how third-party software can help you simplify your tasks.
Easy2Boot is a utility that provides you with a broad range of relevant features, thus helping you achieve quick, satisfactory results in an effortless manner.
Please note that certain components of this application require Administrator privileges in order to function on your PC as intended.
No installation needed
Since this tool is portable, it does not need to be set up on your system. You just need to decompress the contents of the archive file it comes packed in and launch the executable.
More so, it does not modify any of your Windows' registry entries, nor does it create additional files or folders on your file system. However, caution is advised when operating this tool, since some of its functions (e.g. formatting) can cause irremediable damage to your files.
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Easy2Boot does not integrate a standard Graphical User Interface (GUI), but instead it makes use of a simple, yet effective Command Line Interface which runs you through the process step-by-step, in an intuitive manner.
A detailed instructions file is packed within the archive's contents, in case you encounter any difficulties while operating this tool and need additional assistance.
Create multi-boot USBs
You can turn to this program if you need to build bootable media from your USB storage devices. Among the supported devices, you can find USB flash drives, but also external HDDs or SDDs. Creating a bootable media is possible by plugging it in your computer, running the corresponding executable and following the on-screen instructions which guide you through the process.
What makes this application stand out is that it features UEFI booting support. More so, you do not need to format and recreate the media each time you need to modify its contents. The ISO folder created on your USB drive shelters several folders and sub-folders where you can place your image files so that they can be automatically identified upon booting.
Multi-boot USB creator with UEFI support
All things considered, Easy2Boot is a reliable application that can help you create multi-boot USB drives that feature UEFI support in a quick, effortless manner. It is portable, features a Command Line Interface and packs a detailed user guide that you can turn to in case you get stuck.
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MediaCreationTool.bat
An alternative for the Media Creation Tool that allows the deployment and installation of both Windows 10 (including older editions) and Windows 11.
While Microsoft has its own tool for creating bootable USB drives or ISO images to deploy Windows, the company stated that it will update the Media Creation Tool when Windows 11 is officially released to the public, likely in October 2021. Well, the developers of the so-called MediaCreationTool.bat rushed a bit and created a simple batch script that can be used for the exact same purpose, but adds support both for Windows 11 and older editions of Windows 10.
Downloads files from legit sources only
The batch script is delivered to you inside a simple archive and can be executed with a double click. The script opens up a console window where you can read about the utility and select the Windows edition you want to deploy.
MediaCreationTool.bat provides support for Windows 10 versions from 1507 to 21H2, as well as Windows 11. It is worth noting that the download sources are exclusively official external mirrors from the Microsoft servers. In other words, no third-party links are used, in case you were wondering about safety-related issues. What is more, MediaCreationTool.bat comes with support for business editions as well, allowing you to select the language, the architecture (x86 or x64), and other such options.
Create ISO image or a bootable Windows USB
Once you select the Windows edition you need, MediaCreationTool.bat displays another list for you to choose the action to take. With this batch script, you can create an ISO image that can be then burned onto a DVD and used to install Windows on any machine with an optical drive. Alternatively, you can use the script to create a bootable USB drive, which can be used to deploy the selected OS version on any computer.
There is another option available, namely “Auto Setup”, which allows you to check for Windows upgrades directly without prompts. Moreover, you can choose to select a deployment method in MCT (Media Creation Tool). This latter option makes the script quit immediately and launches the Media Creation Tool.
If you plan on deploying Windows 11, note that using MediaCreationTool.bat allows you to skip checking for the TPM requirement on media boot or on dynamic update.
Deploy Windows 10 and 11 with ease
With its support for Windows 11 and various editions of Windows 10, MediaCreationTool.bat is a handy tool for creating bootable media to deploy Windows. It offers an open-source alternative to the official utility of Microsoft, one that comes with support for deploying Windows 11 as well.
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