Using Command Line to Create a Bootable USB Drive

Creating a bootable USB drive using command line tools is a powerful skill for advanced users. Whether you’re installing an operating system or running a recovery disk, using the command line can provide a more granular approach compared to graphical interfaces. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Prerequisites

• USB Drive: At least 8GB of storage.
• Operating System Image: This could be an ISO file of the operating system you wish to install.
• Backup Your Data: Creating a bootable USB drive will erase all data on the USB drive.

Windows

Using Diskpart

1. Insert your USB Drive and open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type the following commands:

   diskpart
   list disk
   select disk X  # Replace X with the number of your USB drive
   clean
   create partition primary
   select partition 1
   active
   format fs=ntfs quick
   assign
   exit

3. Copy the ISO Files: Mount your ISO file and copy its contents to the USB drive:

   xcopy I:\*.* M:\ /E /F /H  # Replace I: with your ISO drive letter and M: with your USB drive letter

Using Rufus (Optional)

For those who prefer a graphical interface, Rufus can also be used effectively. Simply select your USB drive and the ISO file, and click Start.

macOS

Using Terminal

1. Insert Your USB Drive and open Terminal.
2. Use the diskutil command to find your drive:

   diskutil list

3. Unmount the USB drive:

   diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX  # Replace X with your USB drive number

4. Use the dd command to create a bootable drive:

   sudo dd if=/path/to/your.iso of=/dev/diskN bs=1m  # Replace N with your disk number

5. After the process is complete, eject the drive:

   diskutil eject /dev/diskX

Linux

Using dd Command

1. Insert Your USB Drive and open Terminal.
2. Identify your USB drive:

   lsblk

3. Use the dd command:

   sudo dd if=/path/to/image.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M && sync  # Replace sdX with your USB device identifier (like sdb)

4. Once the process is complete, safely remove the USB:

   sudo eject /dev/sdX

Alternative: UNetbootin

For those who prefer a GUI application, UNetbootin is a great alternative for creating bootable USB drives on Linux.

Conclusion

Using command line tools to create a bootable USB drive can be an efficient way of ensuring that your installations go smoothly. With a little practice, you’ll find that the command line offers powerful functionality that can be handy in various technical scenarios.

For more details on each platform, check out the corresponding documentation:

• Microsoft Command Line Reference
• macOS Terminal User Guide
• Linux Command-Line Basics

Feel free to share your experiences or any additional tips in the comments below!