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Original post : Booting from a USB drive.
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This guide explains <strong>how to boot from a USB flash drive</strong> and what configurations you need to have. If you have a new computer model (usually with Windows 8 or Windows 10) that has UEFI/EFI, make sure that you read <a href="#UEFIEFI_configuration">UEFI/EFI configuration</a> before you proceed to <a href="#How_to_boot_from_a_USB_flash_drive">How to boot from a USB flash drive</a> below. If you're looking to boot from a CD or DVD, follow the <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/booting-from-a-cd-or-dvd/">Booting from a CD or DVD guide</a> instead. <h2>How to boot from a USB flash drive</h2> In order for your computer to boot from a USB flash drive, you need to make sure that: <ul> <li>the USB flash drive is bootable</li> <li>the USB flash drive is prioritized in the Boot devices menu of your BIOS/UEFI panel. For more information, go to <a href="#To_access_BIOSUEFI">To access BIOS/UEFI</a></li> <li>on certain computer models (mostly ultrabooks) with a fast boot option, you'll need to disable fast boot before you can boot from a USB</li> </ul> <h3>Instructions</h3> <strong>Method #1 -</strong> Follow these steps to boot from a USB: <ol> <li>Insert the USB flash drive. It's recommended that you remove all other drives, memory cards, printers, scanners etc.</li> <li>Reboot the computer</li> <li>Press any key to boot from an external media, if you are prompted to do so</li> </ol> <strong>Method #2 -</strong> If you are not prompted with this type of message, you should be prompted to do a certain combination of keys to select a device to boot from: <ol> <li>Insert the USB flash drive. As above, remove all other drives, memory cards, printers etc.</li> <li>Reboot the computer</li> <li>Access the <strong>Boot Menu</strong>.To find the combination of keys for your specific PC manufacturers, go to <a href="#To_access_Boot_Menu">To access Boot Menu</a>.</li> <li>Choose the USB item and hit <kbd>Enter</kbd></li> </ol> [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/bootmenu.png" alt="BIOS boot menu option" width="300" height="275" /> BIOS boot menu option[/caption] The Boot Menu can have different names for the external media: <pre>1. +Removable Devices 2. +Hard Drive 3. CD-ROM Drive</pre> <strong>Method #3 -</strong> If none of the above work, check that the BIOS/UEFI settings are correct and you can "move" the USB item at the top of the list in the Boot Device Select Menu. With this method, you'll be forcing your computer to always boot from a USB flash drive first and then from your hard drive. If a USB drive isn't available, the computer will boot from the hard drive. Usually, a <strong>"Removable Devices"</strong> or a <strong>"USB-HDD"</strong> would be the flash drive you're looking for. This list can look something like this: <pre>1st Drive [SATA] 2nd Drive [USB:Flash Drive]</pre> Depending on your computer model and BIOS version, you can hit <kbd>Enter</kbd> on the <em>1st Drive</em> option to open the menu and select the USB drive item instead. Doing these steps would make the list above into something like this: <pre>1st Drive [USB:Flash Drive] 2nd Drive [SATA]</pre> Make sure you save the changes before you exit. <h2>Shortcut keys</h2> Depending on the PC manufacturer, you need to press different keys or combination of keys to access the Boot Menu or the BIOS/UEFI menu. The Boot Menu is the Windows' menu that lets you select the device you want to boot from: HDD, USB, CD-ROM etc. If the Boot Menu isn't available, you can force your computer to boot from an external and removable media (such as a USB flash drive, CD or DVD) by configuring your BIOS/UEFI settings. Newer computers models with UEFI/EFI need to have the legacy mode enabled (or disabling the secure boot). If you have computer with UEFI/EFI, go to <a href="#UEFIEFI_configuration">UEFI/EFI configuration</a>. Your USB flash drive won't boot if the USB flash drive isn't bootable. Go to <a href="#How_to_boot_from_a_USB_flash_drive">How to boot from a USB flash drive</a> to see the steps you need to do. <h3>To access Boot Menu</h3> To access the Boot Menu, find your PC manufacturer below to see what combination of keys you need: <ul> <li><strong>Acer:</strong> <kbd>Esc</kbd>, <kbd>F12</kbd> or <kbd>F9</kbd>. Most computers models from Acer should work with the <kbd>F12</kbd> key.</li> <li><strong>Asus:</strong> <kbd>F8</kbd> or <kbd>Esc</kbd></li> <li><strong>Compaq:</strong> <kbd>Esc</kbd> or <kbd>F9</kbd></li> <li><strong>Dell:</strong> <kbd>F12</kbd></li> <li><strong>eMachines:</strong> <kbd>F12</kbd></li> <li><strong>Fujitsu:</strong> <kbd>F12</kbd></li> <li><strong>HP:</strong> <kbd>Esc</kbd> or <kbd>F9</kbd>. If Esc works, you may need to press F9 afterwards: <kbd>Esc</kbd> + <kbd>F9</kbd>.</li> <li><strong>Lenovo:</strong> <kbd>F8</kbd>, <kbd>F10</kbd> or <kbd>F12</kbd>. On computer models with the <kbd>Novo</kbd> button, try pressing the Novo button. Other key combinations: <kbd>Fn</kbd> + <kbd>F11</kbd>.</li> <li><strong>Samsung:</strong> <kbd>Esc</kbd> or <kbd>F2</kbd> or <kbd>F12</kbd>. Users of ultrabooks from Samsung should disable the fast boot option in BIOS/UEFI before they boot from a USB device. To disable the fast boot, go to <a href="#To_access_BIOSUEFI">To access BIOS/UEFI > Samsung</a> and find the combination of keys you need to press to access this.</li> <li><strong>VAIO:</strong> <kbd>Esc</kbd>, <kbd>F10</kbd> or <kbd>F11</kbd>. On some Sony VAIO computers models you may need to press the <kbd>Assist</kbd> button.</li> <li><strong>Toshiba:</strong> <kbd>F12</kbd></li> </ul> <h3>To access BIOS/UEFI</h3> To access the BIOS/UEFI, find your PC manufacturer below to see what combinations of key you need: <ul> <li><strong>Acer:</strong> <kbd>Del</kbd> or <kbd>F2</kbd> key. Most models should work with the F2 key.</li> <li><strong>Asus:</strong> <kbd>Delete</kbd> or <kbd>Del</kbd> key</li> <li><strong>Compaq:</strong> <kbd>F10</kbd></li> <li><strong>Dell:</strong> <kbd>F2</kbd></li> <li><strong>eMachines:</strong> <kbd>Tab</kbd> or <kbd>Del</kbd></li> <li><strong>Fujitsu:</strong> <kbd>F2</kbd></li> <li><strong>HP:</strong> <kbd>Esc</kbd>, <kbd>F10</kbd>, <kbd>F11</kbd>. On certain Pavilion models, you may need to press <kbd>F1</kbd> instead.</li> <li><strong>Lenovo:</strong> <kbd>F1</kbd> or <kbd>F2</kbd>. If your computer is a laptop from Lenovo, try searching for a small button next to the Power button instead.</li> <li><strong>Samsung:</strong> <kbd>F2</kbd>. On some ultrabooks models, you may need to press <kbd>F10</kbd>.</li> <li><strong>VAIO:</strong> <kbd>F1</kbd>, <kbd>F2</kbd>, <kbd>F3</kbd>. On models with the <strong>Assist</strong> button, press <kbd>Assist</kbd>.</li> <li><strong>Toshiba:</strong> <kbd>F1</kbd>, <kbd>F2</kbd>, <kbd>F12</kbd> or <kbd>Esc</kbd>.</li> </ul> <h2>UEFI/EFI configuration</h2> Windows 8 and Windows 10 computers usually have the new UEFI/EFI that needs some configuration before you can proceed to boot from a USB flash drive. If you're not sure how to access UEFI/EFI, go to <a href="#To_access_BIOSUEFI">To access BIOS/UEFI instructions</a>. You need to <strong>disable the secure boot option</strong>. Alternatives names can be any of the following, depending on your computer model: <ul> <li><strong>Legacy Support.</strong> If you have Legacy Support listed, make sure it's On or Enabled.</li> <li><strong>Legal CSM.</strong> If you have Legacy CSM listed, make sure it's On or Enabled.</li> <li><strong>Launch CSM.</strong> If you have Launch CSM listed, make sure it's On or Enabled.</li> <li><strong>CSM.</strong> If you have CSM, make sure it's On or Enabled.</li> <li><strong>UEFI/Legacy Boot.</strong> If you have a UEFI/Legacy Boot option, make sure it's selected as Both or Legacy Only.</li> </ul> <img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/ThinkPad-UEFI-Legacy-Boot-Priority-300x226.gif" /> <ul> <li><strong>Boot Mode.</strong> If you have a Boot Mode option listed, make sure Legacy Support is selected.</li> </ul> <img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/AMI-UEFI-BIOS-Boot-Mode.jpg" /> <ul> <li><strong>Boot Option Filter.</strong> If you have a Boot Option Filter option listed, make sure you select Legacy too: UEFI and Legacy, Legacy First, Legacy Only</li> </ul> <img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/ASRock-CSM-300x225.jpg" /> After you made the changes to disable the secure boot (or enable legacy mode), make sure you save the changes. This is usually done by clicking the <kbd>F10</kbd> key. For more information on how to enable the legacy mode, read <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/enable-legacy-boot-mode/">our guide "Enable Legacy Mode"</a> or the <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/disabling-secure-boot/">"Disabling Secure Boot" guide</a>. <h2>Troubleshoot</h2> <h3>HDD is visible, but not USB</h3> If the HDD option is visible at Boot Menu, but not the USB drive, follow these tips and reboot your computer to try again: <ul> <li>If your computer has multiple USB ports: plug and unplug the flash drive in different ports for each boot you do</li> <li>If your computer has USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports: try to use the flash drive only on the USB 2.0 port</li> <li>Make sure you installed all necessary drivers from the PC manufacturers for the Windows version you're running</li> </ul> <h3>USB not booting</h3> If <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/troubleshooting-boot-from-usb/">the USB isn't booting</a>, you need to make sure: <ol> <li>That the USB is bootable</li> <li>That you can either select the USB from the Boot Device list or configure BIOS/UEFI to always boot from a USB drive and then from the hard disk</li> </ol> On new computer models with UEFI/EFI, you also need to know: <ul> <li>That legacy mode must be enabled (alternative names are: disabling secure boot)</li> </ul> On some ultrabooks models with a <strong>Fast Boot</strong> option: <ul> <li>Disable fast boot</li> </ul> If you need further assistance booting from your USB, refer to the following article: <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/troubleshooting-boot-from-usb/">Troubleshooting Boot from USB</a>. <h2>More Information</h2> [partial name="partial_moreinfo" versions="xp,vista,7,8,10,11,server2003,server2008,server2012,server2016,server2019,server2022"]