WinUSB for Windows

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WinUSB is a simple, lightweight portable application that allows users to create Windows multi-boot USB flash drives in three easy steps. No formatting is required for the drives, and the simplified process makes using WinUSB fast and intuitive. WinUSB supports UEFI/BIOS for FAT32, NTFS, and ExFAT USB flash drives and offers the choice of ISO or DVD with Windows 7, 8, 10 distributions.

Formatting your flash drive is not necessary provided that the drive has enough free space remaining, and the app eliminates the need to transfer numerous files to your PC’s hard drive when creating a Windows bootable USB stick. A multiboot USB creator like WinUSB orLibusb can provide a bootable USB flash drive for Windows as well as Linux and Rescue distributions.

Minimal formatting and three simple steps

Transferring loads of files to a computer’s hard drive is something of an archaic practice with modern USB drives ranging in the hundreds of gigabytes. Even flash drives (often referred to as thumb drives or memory sticks) have become less commonplace in today's market, as many files can be stored more safely and conveniently using cloud storage.

A memory stick can, however, be a convenient way to quickly access and upload files enabling the user to choose from a selection of predetermined and pre-named folders organised by their own design. The disadvantage, however, comes with formatting space to easily house incoming files or programs. Going through this lengthy, irksome process is especially frustrating when adding a simple 2 gig ISO.

It’s in this circumstance that WinUSB shines. The app creates a bootable Windows USB flash drive without having to format the drive. The app is particularly handy for instances where you are dealing with a computer that doesn’t have a native operating system, or if you’re trying to install or transfer a new OS to a new computer or laptop. With WinUSB, the new platform doesn’t even need a disk drive for the transfer to take place.

Creating a bootable USB disk for Windows applications is not a complex task, but it is an important one. While there are many competing applications also available to aid in this process, but WinUSB climbs to the top for two reasons: 

1. Similar programs require the USB device to be formatted prior to use, while WinUSB does not.
2. WinUSB is exceptionally easy to use.

WinUSB requires only three steps to get your files online and transferred, and the instructions of how to appear on the screen. These instructions will aid you in the creation of your new multi-bootable Windows installation flash drive and will do so in just a few minutes. Since the app supports BIOS and UEFI (including UEFI mode 4), you’ll rarely have to deal with roadblocks during the initial booting of your PC.

WinUSB can be launched directly from its executable, so there’s no need to install the app. WinUSB is primarily intended for users wishing to maintain any data stored on their drives. The app is familiar with Fat32, exFat, and NTFS, further assuaging compatibility issues and simplifying the process. WinUSB’s homepage features a plethora of FAQ and troubleshooting pages in the event that any issues are encountered.

WinUSB vs LibUSB

WinUSB is not the only USB creation app on the market. Libusb is commonly compared to WinUSB, as the app is a C library that similarly provides generic access to USB devices. Libusb was made with the intention of being favoured by developers, as it more conveniently facilitates the production of applications that communicate with USB hardware. Like WinUSB, Libusb is fully portable. It utilises a single cross-platform API, providing access to USB devices on Linux, macOS, Windows, and more.

In contrast with WinUSb, Libusb does support isochronous transfer, also working under Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. Though these operating systems are rare in the modern workplace, files transferred via Libusb offer less risk with certain applications set to run in earlier versions of Windows. Libusb under Linux/Mac OS X/BSDs is also compatible at the API level, enabling the writing of cross-platform applications. This is helpful, as Libusb also supports Android, OpenBSD, NetBSD, Haiku, and Solaris.

A Bootable USB disk for Windows

WinUSB is an excellent choice for USB creation and file transfer, offering an intuitive, simplified process that tracks easily. With its extensive compatibility for a variety of systems and boot menus, direct launching from the executable, and no need to format prior to using it, WinUSB is a great lightweight solution to formatting portable storage devices.