How to Create a Windows 10 Bootable USB on a Mac
Making a bootable USB for Windows 10 on a Mac isn’t as daunting as it sounds, but it can get a bit tricky if things don’t go as planned. This process will give you a Windows 10 installer that you can plug into a PC for installation or fixing issues. Before you start, make sure you have an 8GB (or bigger) USB stick and have downloaded the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. Not having the right stuff ready often leads to unnecessary detours.
Get the Windows 10 ISO File
First, grab the official Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s website. Head over to their download page. Be sure to select the right version—32-bit or 64-bit—based on what your target PC can handle. Downloading the wrong one will just cause headaches later on.
- Download it here: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10
Prepare Your USB Drive
Next, plug in your USB stick. It needs to be at least 8GB, and yes, it’ll wipe everything on there. So if you’ve got anything important, back it up first. Use Disk Utility to format it—select MS-DOS (FAT32) or ExFAT to avoid issues down the track.
- Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.
- Select your USB drive from the sidebar.
- Hit Erase.
- Pick MS-DOS (FAT32) or ExFAT as the format, and set the scheme to Master Boot Record.
- Click Erase to wipe it clean.
Next, Launch Boot Camp Assistant
Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Boot Camp Assistant. This tool is primarily for installing Windows on a Mac, but it’s also great for creating bootable USBs. Just a heads-up: this feature has been supported since macOS 10.13 High Sierra.
If you prefer, you can open it via Terminal like this:
open /Applications/Utilities/Boot\ Camp\ Assistant.appSelect the Create Windows Install Disk Option
When Boot Camp opens, choose the option to create a Windows 10 installer. If this doesn’t appear, or the tool gives you grief, you can use Terminal with diskutil and dd, or try third-party apps like balenaEtcher.
Create the Bootable USB
Follow the prompts to select your ISO file and USB drive. Once you hit “Continue,” the process kicks off. Boot Camp will format your USB, copy the files over, and prepare it. If you’re using Terminal, double-check the disk number with diskutil list before running the dd command—one wrong move and things could go sideways.
# List disks to find your USB device
diskutil list
# Unmount the USB drive (replace diskX with your actual disk number)
diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX
# Create the bootable drive (replace /path/to/windows.iso and diskX)
sudo dd if=/path/to/windows.iso of=/dev/rdiskX bs=4m status=progress
Note: Using dd can be risky—make sure you’re confident with the commands before proceeding!
Once it’s running, just sit back and wait. Depending on your USB stick and what sort of system you’re using, this might take a little while. When it’s finished, you’ll have a fully bootable Windows 10 installer ready to go.
Tips for a Smooth Ride
Keep a few things in mind: stay connected to power—interruptions can cause big trouble. Also, ensure your ISO is downloaded from a reliable source and over a solid internet connection to avoid corrupt files. If things go awry—say the process stalls or your USB isn’t recognised—trying a different USB stick or reformatting can often sort things out.
Common Questions About Making Bootable Windows USBs on Mac
Can I use Boot Camp for older Windows versions?
Boot Camp mainly works with Windows 10 and newer. If you need Windows 7 or 8, it’s better to try third-party tools or do things manually through Terminal.
What if Boot Camp doesn’t cooperate?
If it throws a fit, it’s most likely due to USB formatting issues. Reformatting to FAT32 or ExFAT might fix the problem. Sometimes, switching to a different USB drive helps too.
Are there other options besides Boot Camp Assistant?
Absolutely! Apps like balenaEtcher or UNetbootin make creating bootable USB drives simple. BalenaEtcher is especially user-friendly and popular among Mac users.
Will this mess with my Mac’s OS?
Nope. The process of creating a bootable USB is completely separate—it doesn’t alter or affect your Mac’s operating system. Only the USB drive gets formatted and written on.
Can I use a USB stick smaller than 8GB?
It’s best to stick with at least 8GB. Smaller drives usually don’t have enough space for Windows 10 installation files and can cause issues.
Quick Checklist
- Download the latest Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft.
- Insert and prep your USB (minimum 8GB, format as FAT32 or ExFAT).
- Open Boot Camp Assistant.
- Select the option to create a Windows install disk.
- Follow the prompts and wait for your bootable USB to be ready.
While making a bootable Windows 10 USB on a Mac might seem a bit intimidating at first, it’s often simpler than it looks. Boot Camp Assistant eases the process significantly. Once set up, it opens up all sorts of possibilities—troubleshooting, dual-booting, or upgrading. Hopefully, this guide saves you a lot of time and hassle. It’s a good little trick to have up your sleeve for when things go sideways!