I have two computers, a desktop and my Laptop. My Desktop is a Home Server, where I am preparing for 70-410 MCSA Windows Server Certification Exam. I have a Problem, I have only one USB and I need to Boot both Windows 10 and Server 2012R2 on the USB, so I have to install Windows on both of them. At first I thought it is a crazy idea, and we are not able to create Multi-Boot USB Flash Drive. For Investigating for some minutes I found out a Small Open Source App which can do this job. And that is called WinsetupfromUSB.
What is WinsetupfromUSB?
WinSetupFromUSB is an open source Windows Application which was officially created for Multi-Boot Purpose. According to their site, with multiple asked questions on the forum, it was a need to create this program. So they finally developed it on 2006, that time Operating systems form Microsoft was Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP 2000 and others. However now it has multiple options of Linux, Windows, BSD flavors and other utilities. It can create both 32 and 64-bit Bootable USB, also it can support both legacy and UEFI Mode. So, there are no worries.
Create Mutli-Boot USB Flash Drive on Windows 10?
Before Getting started, first you have to decide which version of an Operating system from which company you ae using. I am using Windows 10 and Server 2012R2, So, I have already downloaded both of their iSOs. So you have to prepare a USB with at least 16 GB for 2 Operating systems, and iSOs.
Step 1. Open your favorite browser and Download WinsetupfromUSB from its site. After downloading the WinSetupFromUSB, open it and extract the files in any place which you wish.
Step 2. Insert the USB Flash Drive on USB 3.0 Port. After that open the WinSetupFromUSB, I will open the 64-bit version.
I am going to create Multiboot USB flash drive of Windows 10 and Server 2012R2. Since both are operating system of Micorosft I will format the USB as NTFS not Fat32. The Reason why I am formatting it with NTFS is, that NTFS Format is better and quicker comparing to Fat32. Another thing I have to tell You, that If you want to Create Bootable USB for UEFI or GPT Partitions, then you have to use the Fat32.
Step 3. So, When the WinSetupFromUSB opens, check the auto format and format the USB with NTFS. As I said you can choose any partition as you like. Once you did that select or check the Windows section from Add to USB disk. If you are about to create Multi-Boot for Linux, then choose the Linux option.
Step 4. Once you did that, click on three dots and locate the Windows 10 iSO.
Step 5. When you locate the Windows 10 iSO select go, after that you will face some warnings that the USB files will be erased. Don’t worry select yes and Wait until the Process Completes.
Step 6. Once the Process completes, a small window will appear which says job done. Now that Windows 10 is exported to the USB, it is time to move the Windows Server 2012R2 to USB. To do that, again located the Windows Server 2012R2 iSO. When you did that, uncheck the Auto Format, because the USB is bootable, all we need is to move the iSO. When you unchecked that, select Go and Wait until the process completes.
Note: If you add more Operating system to the USB, just uncheck the Auto Format, locate the Operating system and select Go. This time you won’t face any errors.
Summary:
Download the Operating system iSOs and the WinSetupFromUSB. Launch the WinsetupFromUSB and choose the operating systems.
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