{"id":8544,"date":"2024-03-27T11:12:51","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T11:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/?p=8544"},"modified":"2024-03-27T11:14:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T11:14:04","slug":"create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"Proven Way to Make Windows Bootable USB on Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69ecbb6bccef6\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69ecbb6bccef6\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#requirements\" title=\"Requirements\">Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#step_1_downloading_the_windows_iso_file\" title=\"Step 1: Downloading the Windows ISO File\">Step 1: Downloading the Windows ISO File<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#step_2_preparing_the_usb_drive\" title=\"Step 2: Preparing the USB Drive\">Step 2: Preparing the USB Drive<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#step_3_mounting_the_iso_and_copying_files\" title=\"Step 3: Mounting the ISO and Copying Files\">Step 3: Mounting the ISO and Copying Files<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#step_4_handling_the_installwim_file\" title=\"Step 4: Handling the install.wim File\">Step 4: Handling the install.wim File<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#step_5_finalizing_the_bootable_usb\" title=\"Step 5: Finalizing the Bootable USB\">Step 5: Finalizing the Bootable USB<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#troubleshooting_and_tips\" title=\"Troubleshooting and Tips\">Troubleshooting and Tips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Creating a bootable USB for Windows on a Mac might seem like a challenging task, but it&#8217;s a straightforward process that allows Mac users to install Windows on their machines. This capability is particularly useful for those who need to run Windows-exclusive applications or games on their Mac. In this guide, we will walk you through each step of creating a Windows bootable USB on a Mac, ensuring compatibility and convenience for all users, regardless of their technical expertise.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"requirements\"><\/span>Requirements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before creating a bootable USB for Windows on a Mac, ensure you have the necessary components:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>USB Drive:<\/b> Minimum 8GB storage to hold the Windows installation files.<\/li>\n<li><b>Windows ISO File:<\/b> Download the ISO for Windows 10 or Windows 11 from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/\">Microsoft&#8217;s official website<\/a>. Select the version that matches your target installation.<\/li>\n<li><b>Mac Computer:<\/b> A Mac with administrative access to use Disk Utility and Terminal commands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With these items ready, you can start the process of creating a bootable USB to install Windows on your Mac. The next step involves downloading the appropriate Windows ISO file.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"step_1_downloading_the_windows_iso_file\"><\/span><span class=\"sc-heading-color\">Step 1:<\/span> Downloading the Windows ISO File<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To create a Windows bootable USB on a Mac, the first step is to obtain the Windows ISO file. This file contains the installation data for Windows. You have the option to download either Windows 10 or Windows 11, depending on your preference or requirements. Follow these steps to download the ISO file:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/\">Microsoft Software Download<\/a> page.<\/li>\n<li>Choose between Windows 10 and Windows 11. Click the respective download page link.<\/li>\n<li>For Windows 10, click &#8216;Download tool now&#8217; under the &#8216;Create Windows 10 installation media&#8217; section. For Windows 11, navigate to the &#8216;Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)&#8217; section and select &#8216;Download&#8217;.<\/li>\n<li>Follow the prompts to select the edition, language, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for your download. Most modern Macs will use the 64-bit version.<img fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8565 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso.jpg\" alt=\"download windows iso\" width=\"2010\" height=\"1244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso.jpg 2010w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso-1024x634.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso-768x475.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso-1536x951.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso-900x557.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/download-windows-11-iso-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2010px) 100vw, 2010px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Click &#8216;Confirm&#8217; and wait for the download link to appear. Click &#8216;Download&#8217; to start downloading the ISO file.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>After downloading the ISO file, proceed to prepare your USB drive for the Windows installation. This involves formatting the USB and copying the Windows files onto it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"step_2_preparing_the_usb_drive\"><\/span><span class=\"sc-heading-color\">Step 2:<\/span> Preparing the USB Drive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With the Windows ISO file downloaded, the next step is to format the USB drive and prepare it for the Windows installation files. Formatting the drive ensures it is set up correctly for booting Windows on a Mac. Follow these instructions to prepare your USB drive:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Insert the USB drive into your Mac.<\/li>\n<li>Open <b>Disk Utility<\/b> from the Utilities folder in Applications.<\/li>\n<li>Select your USB drive from the sidebar in Disk Utility.<\/li>\n<li>Click the <b>Erase<\/b> button at the top of the Disk Utility window.<img class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8567 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive.jpg\" alt=\"Click Erase button in Disk Utility\" width=\"2214\" height=\"1184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive.jpg 2214w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive-1024x548.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive-768x411.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive-1536x821.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive-2048x1095.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive-900x481.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/erase-flash-drive-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2214px) 100vw, 2214px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>In the erase dialog, name the drive &#8220;WINDOWS10&#8221; or &#8220;WINDOWS11&#8221;, depending on the version you&#8217;re installing. Choose <b>MS-DOS (FAT)<\/b> for the format and <b>GUID Partition Map<\/b> for the scheme.<img class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8572 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options.jpg\" alt=\"Select Erase options\" width=\"2214\" height=\"1184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options.jpg 2214w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options-1024x548.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options-768x411.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options-1536x821.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options-2048x1095.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options-900x481.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/select-folrmat-options-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2214px) 100vw, 2214px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Click <b>Erase<\/b> to begin formatting the drive. Wait until the process completes, then click <b>Done<\/b>.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8560 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive.jpg\" alt=\"Click Done button after erase drive \" width=\"2214\" height=\"1184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive.jpg 2214w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive-1024x548.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive-768x411.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive-1536x821.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive-2048x1095.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive-900x481.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/complete-erase-usb-drive-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2214px) 100vw, 2214px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>With your USB drive formatted, you\u2019re now ready to transfer the Windows installation files onto it. This will transform the USB into a bootable device, allowing you to install Windows on a Mac.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"step_3_mounting_the_iso_and_copying_files\"><\/span><span class=\"sc-heading-color\">Step 3:<\/span> Mounting the ISO and Copying Files<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>After preparing your USB drive, the next step involves mounting the Windows ISO file on your Mac and transferring the necessary installation files to the USB. This process converts your USB drive into a bootable Windows installer. Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Locate the Windows ISO file you downloaded earlier. Double-click on it to mount the ISO as a virtual drive. It will appear on your desktop or in the Finder sidebar.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8571 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file.jpg\" alt=\"mount windows iso file\" width=\"1974\" height=\"962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file.jpg 1974w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file-1024x499.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file-768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file-1536x749.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file-900x439.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mouunt-iso-file-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1974px) 100vw, 1974px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Open a new Finder window and navigate to the mounted Windows ISO. You will see its contents displayed.<\/li>\n<li>Open another Finder window and navigate to your formatted USB drive.<\/li>\n<li>Copy all files from the mounted ISO to your USB drive. However, do not copy the <b>sources<\/b> folder at this stage.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8561 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash.jpg\" alt=\"copy files from iso to usb drive\" width=\"2718\" height=\"888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash.jpg 2718w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash-300x98.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash-1024x335.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash-768x251.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash-1536x502.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash-2048x669.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash-900x294.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-files-from-iso-to-flash-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2718px) 100vw, 2718px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Once all files except those in the <b>sources<\/b> folder are copied, open the <b>sources<\/b> folder in the mounted ISO.<\/li>\n<li>In the <b>sources<\/b> folder, select all files except for the file named <b>install.wim<\/b> or <b>install.esd<\/b>, and then copy them to the <b>sources<\/b> folder on your USB drive. If the <b>sources<\/b> folder does not exist on your USB drive, create it.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8563 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files.jpg\" alt=\"copy sources files without install.wim\" width=\"2718\" height=\"888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files.jpg 2718w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files-300x98.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files-1024x335.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files-768x251.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files-1536x502.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files-2048x669.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files-900x294.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/copy-sources-files-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2718px) 100vw, 2718px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>By excluding the <b>install.wim<\/b> or <b>install.esd<\/b> file in this step, you prepare for the next stage, which involves handling this large file separately due to its size. Completing this process ensures that your USB drive contains all necessary Windows installation files, making it bootable.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"step_4_handling_the_installwim_file\"><\/span><span class=\"sc-heading-color\">Step 4:<\/span> Handling the install.wim File<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <b>install.wim<\/b> file is typically too large to copy directly to a FAT32 formatted USB drive due to file size limitations of the format. To work around this, you&#8217;ll use a tool called Wimlib to split the file into smaller parts that can be transferred to the USB. Here\u2019s how to handle the <b>install.wim<\/b> file:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>First, check if you have Homebrew installed on your Mac by opening Terminal and typing <code>brew -v<\/code>. If Homebrew is not installed, install it by running <code>\/bin\/bash -c \"$(curl -fsSL https:\/\/raw.githubusercontent.com\/Homebrew\/install\/master\/install.sh)\"<\/code> in Terminal.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8569 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-brew-on-macos.jpg\" alt=\"install homebrew on macos\" width=\"1516\" height=\"902\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-brew-on-macos.jpg 1516w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-brew-on-macos-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-brew-on-macos-1024x609.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-brew-on-macos-768x457.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-brew-on-macos-900x535.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-brew-on-macos-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1516px) 100vw, 1516px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>With Homebrew installed, install Wimlib by typing <code>brew install wimlib<\/code> in Terminal.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8570 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-wimlib.jpg\" alt=\"install wimlib on mac\" width=\"1516\" height=\"932\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-wimlib.jpg 1516w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-wimlib-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-wimlib-1024x630.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-wimlib-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-wimlib-900x553.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/install-wimlib-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1516px) 100vw, 1516px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Locate the <b>install.wim<\/b> file in the mounted ISO&#8217;s <b>sources<\/b> folder. Note the path to this file.<\/li>\n<li>In Terminal, navigate to your USB drive\u2019s <b>sources<\/b> folder using the <code>cd<\/code> command.<\/li>\n<li>Use the Wimlib command to split the <b>install.wim<\/b> file into smaller segments that can be stored on the FAT32 drive. Type the command <code>wimlib-imagex split \/path\/to\/install.wim \/Volumes\/YOUR_USB_DRIVE\/sources\/install.swm 4000<\/code>, replacing <code>\/path\/to\/install.wim<\/code> with the actual path to your <b>install.wim<\/b> file and <code>YOUR_USB_DRIVE<\/code> with the name of your USB drive.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8573 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/split-wim-file-with-wimlib.jpg\" alt=\"split install.wim file with wimlib utility\" width=\"1472\" height=\"518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/split-wim-file-with-wimlib.jpg 1472w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/split-wim-file-with-wimlib-300x106.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/split-wim-file-with-wimlib-1024x360.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/split-wim-file-with-wimlib-768x270.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/split-wim-file-with-wimlib-900x317.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/split-wim-file-with-wimlib-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1472px) 100vw, 1472px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>After completing these steps, the <b>install.wim<\/b> file will be split into smaller <b>install.swm<\/b> and <b>install2.swm<\/b> files, which are then copied to your USB drive. This modification ensures the USB drive bypasses the FAT32 file size limit and becomes a fully functional Windows bootable USB.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"step_5_finalizing_the_bootable_usb\"><\/span><span class=\"sc-heading-color\">Step 5:<\/span> Finalizing the Bootable USB<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With the <b>install.wim<\/b> file successfully split and transferred to your USB, you&#8217;re almost ready to use it to install Windows on a Mac. The final step is to ensure that all files are correctly placed and the USB is safely ejected from your Mac. Follow these guidelines to finalize your bootable USB:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Review the contents of your USB drive. Ensure that all files, including the newly created <b>install.swm<\/b> and <b>install2.swm<\/b> files, are present in the <b>sources<\/b> folder.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8559 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files.jpg\" alt=\"review install files in sources\" width=\"1606\" height=\"922\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files.jpg 1606w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files-1024x588.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files-768x441.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files-1536x882.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files-900x517.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/check-swm-files-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1606px) 100vw, 1606px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>If you haven\u2019t already, safely eject the USB drive from your Mac by dragging the drive icon to the Trash, which turns into an Eject icon, or by right-clicking (or Control-clicking) on the drive and selecting Eject.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"border-gray aligncenter wp-image-8566 size-full\" src=\"\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive.jpg\" alt=\"eject windows installer media\" width=\"1937\" height=\"1118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive.jpg 1937w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive-768x443.jpg 768w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive-1536x887.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive-900x519.jpg 900w, https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/eject-windows-bootable-drive-1x1.jpg 1w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1937px) 100vw, 1937px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Your USB drive is now a bootable Windows installer. You can use it to install Windows by inserting it into the target computer, restarting the computer, and following the on-screen instructions to boot from the USB drive.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This completes the process of creating a bootable USB for Windows on a Mac. With this USB, you can install Windows 10 or Windows 11 on a Mac or any compatible PC. The bootable USB allows for a smooth installation process, providing a straightforward way to run Windows on Mac hardware.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"troubleshooting_and_tips\"><\/span>Troubleshooting and Tips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Creating a bootable USB for Windows on a Mac can sometimes present challenges. Here are some troubleshooting tips and additional advice to ensure a smooth process:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>USB not recognized:<\/b> If your Mac doesn&#8217;t recognize the USB drive, try plugging it into a different port or restarting your Mac. Ensure the USB drive is properly formatted as MS-DOS (FAT) with a GUID Partition Map.<\/li>\n<li><b>Error copying Files:<\/b> Should you encounter errors while copying files to the USB drive, verify that the drive has enough free space and is not corrupted. Reformatting the USB drive may resolve these issues.<\/li>\n<li><b>Install.wim file too large:<\/b> If splitting the <b>install.wim<\/b> file using Wimlib does not work, ensure you have correctly installed Wimlib and are using the correct syntax in the Terminal command. Double-check the paths you provide in the command.<\/li>\n<li><b>Bootable USB not working:<\/b> If the bootable USB does not work on another computer, check the computer&#8217;s BIOS settings to ensure it is set to boot from a USB device. Additionally, verify that the USB drive contains all necessary files, including the split <b>install.wim<\/b> files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Additional Tips:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use a high-quality USB drive to avoid data corruption and ensure a faster installation process.<\/li>\n<li>Keep a backup of important data from your USB drive before formatting it, as the process will erase all existing data on the drive.<\/li>\n<li>Consider using a USB 3.0 drive and port for faster data transfer speeds during the file copying process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By following these troubleshooting steps and tips, you can address common issues encountered during the creation of a Windows bootable USB on a Mac. This guide aims to streamline the process, but understanding how to navigate potential pitfalls is key to success.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Successfully creating a bootable USB for Windows on a Mac allows you to install Windows 10 or Windows 11 on Mac hardware. This guide has walked you through each necessary step, from downloading the ISO file to preparing the USB and handling large files with Wimlib. The result is a bootable USB that enables Windows installation.<\/p>\n<p>With this tool, you&#8217;re now equipped to run Windows on your Mac, opening up new software and operating system testing opportunities. For further guides and technical assistance, stay updated with our latest posts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creating a bootable USB for Windows on a Mac might seem like a challenging task, but it&#8217;s a straightforward process that allows Mac users to install Windows on their machines. This capability is particularly useful for those who need to run Windows-exclusive applications or games on their Mac. In this guide, we will walk you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":8610,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"slider-tags":[],"class_list":["post-8544","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mac-plus-windows"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Create Windows Bootable USB on Mac (Proven Solution)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to create a Windows bootable USB on a Mac with our step-by-step guide, covering everything from ISO download to finalizing your USB for installation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Create Windows Bootable USB on Mac (Proven Solution)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to create a Windows bootable USB on a Mac with our step-by-step guide, covering everything from ISO download to finalizing your USB for installation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"onMac: Your Guide to Windows and macOS Integration\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-03-27T11:12:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-03-27T11:14:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jeff Cochin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/jeff_cochin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jeff Cochin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Create Windows Bootable USB on Mac (Proven Solution)","description":"Learn how to create a Windows bootable USB on a Mac with our step-by-step guide, covering everything from ISO download to finalizing your USB for installation.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Create Windows Bootable USB on Mac (Proven Solution)","og_description":"Learn how to create a Windows bootable USB on a Mac with our step-by-step guide, covering everything from ISO download to finalizing your USB for installation.","og_url":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/","og_site_name":"onMac: Your Guide to Windows and macOS Integration","article_published_time":"2024-03-27T11:12:51+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-03-27T11:14:04+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1048,"height":1048,"url":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jeff Cochin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/jeff_cochin","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jeff Cochin","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/","url":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/","name":"How to Create Windows Bootable USB on Mac (Proven Solution)","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac.jpg","datePublished":"2024-03-27T11:12:51+00:00","dateModified":"2024-03-27T11:14:04+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/#\/schema\/person\/9f40c91bda2829631a8195a3e89f52b4"},"description":"Learn how to create a Windows bootable USB on a Mac with our step-by-step guide, covering everything from ISO download to finalizing your USB for installation.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac.jpg","width":1048,"height":1048,"caption":"Create a Windows Bootable USB on a Mac"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/create-bootable-windows-usb-on-mac\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/home-blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Proven Way to Make Windows Bootable USB on Mac"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/#website","url":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/","name":"onMac: Your Guide to Windows and macOS Integration","description":"onMac is your guide to Windows and macOS integration, providing guides, tips, and software recommendations to help you use your Mac to its full potential.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/#\/schema\/person\/9f40c91bda2829631a8195a3e89f52b4","name":"Jeff Cochin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/jeff-cochin-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/onmac.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/jeff-cochin-96x96.jpg","caption":"Jeff Cochin"},"description":"Jeff Cochin has spent a better part of his writing career helping users recover lost data from their personal and work devices. When not describing the best way to avoid a costly data loss, Jeff likes to spend time outside and go on short cycling adventures.","sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/jeff_cochin"],"url":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/author\/jeff-cochin\/"}]}},"modified_by":"yskandrey","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8544"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8544"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8544\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8938,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8544\/revisions\/8938"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8544"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8544"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8544"},{"taxonomy":"slider-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.onmac.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/slider-tags?post=8544"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}