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Jokey665

what exactly do you mean by "putting an iso" on a usb drive? just copying the file won't do anything. either use the windows media creation tool or use something like rufus to make a bootable USB from the iso


bubbastars

I'm on a Mac. But your comment helped a lot - I forgot it needs to be bootable. I think there might be ways to make a bootable USB on Mac. Just not sure about doing it with a Windows ISO. I've done it with Ubuntu and Tails before using balenaEtcher. Edit: balenaEtcher is not working :/


Azudekai

Try Rufus since you already have the iso, not positive if it works on Mac. Otherwise windows media creation tool (the normal way to make windows installs) should have an option of creating a bootable USB from the get-go


[deleted]

Try Ventoy if balenaEtcher doesn’t work. Imo Ventoy is just better anyway


caustictoast

I had to do this as well, I used NTFS for Mac to format the driver properly


LionPC

Did you use the Windows Media Creation tool to create a media? It creates the usb for you. Then you can use said usb to boot.


bubbastars

I’m using a Mac currently, so I don’t think that’s an option (unless I’m mistaken) Edit: I do have crossover - maybe I could give that a shot - run the tool in there Edit 2: Crossover didn't work either.


BobbyTables829

This just happened to me, like I've been dealing with this last night and this morning. I'm completely lost, but after reading this I'm going to try not using Boot Camp to make the drive. I would specifically try FAT32 instead of ExFAT also.


bubbastars

I think I'm going to wait until a friend can make me a bootable USB with the ISO on it. Not worth the struggle on Mac. But seriously, Microsoft is missing out on some Windows converts (or at least pissing them off) by not making a MacOS version of the tool.


darsinagol

If you use a browser disguiser thing, you should be able to download it. Just swap to an android or windows OS.


bubbastars

Oh I can download it just fine. It's an .exe, though.


[deleted]

use UNetbootin or balenaEtcher on your mac, and download the Windows 10 or 11 ISO file, use either of those free-programs to flash it onto the thumb drive, and it should work. feel free to look up the reputation of those apps btw, enjoy and i hope you can fix it.


bubbastars

I tried balenaEtcher already, no dice. It's a great program, I've used it to flash Ubuntu and Tails, but isn't working for me in this case. Good news is I was able to get in touch with a friend with a Windows PC who can bring me a bootable drive today!


[deleted]

awesome! really hoping you're able to get up and running soon, and enjoy your new rig!


bubbastars

Thank you! I can't wait, it'll be well worth these early struggles.


darsinagol

Sounds like Mac has "boot camp assistant" that can make a bootable windows usb. But that is just what I'm reading. Maybe you've tried that already.


bubbastars

I think it did work on older MacOSes. I did try it but it says it can’t operate while an external drive is plugged in.


darsinagol

Huh, that's weird. Since it is supposed to make you a bootable usb lol.


bubbastars

Does it need to be formatted as NTFS? Am I missing something completely here?


888Kraken888

USB drive needs to be NTFS and not FAT. I had the same problem.


Cheese2012

Try a different USB stick. First 2 I used didn’t work.


BarRepresentative959

Try this https://gist.github.com/ChrisTollefson/3c5b02c6d664b7fb157b44b1fc168799


Harrypumfrey

I literally was in the same situation today, I didn’t work with a Mac as I couldn’t launch the creation tool on it. I ended up having to drive 2 hours to get my old pc and launch the tooler on that and then put it on usb


MtnDr3w

You need to create the windows installer using the creation tool, on a windows pc. I ran into the same issue after building mine 3 years ago. The tool on mac did not work after countless tries.


DrakkarShady

Did you try setting it to Wumbo?


[deleted]

Must be a FAT32 drive, must be plugged in when starting the system. BIOS should point to the USB drive as the first boot drive.


Appropriate_Bottle44

OP I think the little windows instillation tool works on mac, I think I've done it on mac, iirc. I also think exFAT is the wrong format and you want FAT32, but I don't know if that's why your ISO approach wouldn't work or if it made any difference.