Need to scan your system before Windows even loads?
Want to rescue data from an infected PC?
You’ll need a secure bootable USB — and here’s exactly how to make one.
✅ 1. What is a secure boot USB?
It’s a USB drive that starts your PC with a clean operating system, separate from your main one.
You can use it to:
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Scan for viruses without Windows interference
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Backup files
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Wipe drives safely
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Install a fresh OS
✅ 2. What you’ll need
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A blank USB drive (8GB or more)
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A bootable image:
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Windows ISO (for reinstall)
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Antivirus rescue ISO (Bitdefender, Kaspersky, etc.)
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Linux distro (Ubuntu, Mint for data rescue)
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Rufus tool (Windows): https://rufus.ie
✅ 3. How to create a bootable USB
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Download Rufus
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Insert USB → Open Rufus
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Select your ISO file
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Choose Partition scheme (MBR/GPT) based on your BIOS
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Click Start → It will erase and prepare your USB
✅ 4. How to boot from USB
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Plug in the USB
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Restart your PC
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Press F12 / F2 / ESC / DEL to enter boot menu (depends on brand)
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Select USB → It will boot into the rescue or install system
✅ Make sure Secure Boot is off in BIOS if your USB doesn’t boot.
✅ 5. What you can do with it
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Run full offline virus scans
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Recover files from a dead system
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Format drives and reinstall OS
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Use Linux-based USBs as privacy-focused portable systems
Key points to remember
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Secure boot USB = rescue tool for malware, data, and OS failures
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Use Rufus and a clean ISO to create one easily
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Booting from USB lets you bypass infected or broken systems
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Keep one handy — it can save your PC someday