Create Windows Installation USB on Linux with WoeUSB

For many Linux enthusiasts, preparing a Windows installation USB might seem like an oxymoron. After all, Linux users tend to embrace open-source solutions and the freedom of choice. However, there are times you might need to run that indispensable Windows-only software or even set up a dual-boot environment. Today, we’re going to dive into a detailed guide on how to write Windows installation media to a USB device using Linux—specifically tailored for Ubuntu-based distributions.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire process using a tool called WoeUSB. We'll explain each step in detail, discuss key technologies involved, and offer insights into potential pitfalls and tips, ensuring that you can confidently create your Windows USB installation media.

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What’s the Deal with WoeUSB?​

WoeUSB is an open-source tool designed to create a bootable Windows USB drive on Linux. Unlike the straightforward “restore disk image” approaches available for creating Linux installation media (think GNOME Disks), writing Windows to USB calls for a dedicated utility. WoeUSB fills that gap with both command line and graphical interface options (although our guide will focus on the command line version since it’s been thoroughly tested).

A Few Technical Insights:​

• Compatibility: The tool supports Windows ISO images and handles the necessary filesystem conversion and partitioning. It ensures that your USB device is correctly prepared for booting Windows installation.
• Filesystems: WoeUSB allows you to target the NTFS filesystem, which is essential for compatibility with Windows.
• Linux Integration: While the usage is straightforward on Ubuntu-based distributions, users of other distros (like Fedora) may need to adjust installation commands slightly due to package management differences.

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Step-by-Step Instructions​

Before you begin, please back up any important data from your USB drive, because following these instructions will erase everything on it. With that crucial warning out of the way, let’s break down the steps:

1. Installing WoeUSB​

First, add the dedicated WoeUSB repository to your system. Open your terminal and execute:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tomtomtom/woeusb

Once the repository is added, update your package list:

sudo apt update

Now, install WoeUSB with the following command:

sudo apt install woeusb

After the install, you should have WoeUSB ready to go.

2. Identifying Your USB Device​

Before plugging in your USB device, run this command to list your current storage devices:

lsblk

Keep an eye on the displayed devices. Once you plug in your USB drive, run lsblk again. The new device (commonly identified as something like sdb or sdc) is your target USB drive. Make a note of this identifier.
Pro Tip: Double-check the output to ensure you’ve correctly identified your USB device. A small error here can lead to irreversible data loss on the wrong drive.

3. Writing the Windows ISO to USB​

With your USB device identified and plugged in, and assuming you’ve already downloaded the Windows ISO, you’re ready to create your bootable drive.
Run the following command, adjusting the placeholders accordingly:

sudo woeusb --target-filesystem NTFS --device '/path/to/windows.iso' /dev/sdX

• Replace '/path/to/windows.iso' with the actual path to your Windows ISO file. You can even drag and drop the ISO file onto your terminal to automatically insert the correct path.
• Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device identifier (e.g., /dev/sdb).

This command directs WoeUSB to format the USB drive with the NTFS filesystem and to write the Windows image. The operation might take several minutes depending on the speed of your USB drive and overall hardware performance.

4. Final Steps​

Once the process completes, you’ll have a Windows installation USB ready to boot. If you plan on installing Windows alongside Linux, you might want to explore partitioning tools like GParted (available on many Linux distributions) to resize your existing partitions. And if bootloader issues arise, tools like Boot Repair on Linux Mint Xfce can help restore access to both Windows and Linux operating systems.

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Additional Considerations and Best Practices​

• Dual Booting: If you’re planning to run Windows alongside Linux, always back up your data first. Dual booting can be challenging and sometimes requires fine-tuning the bootloader.
• Partition Safety: Using lsblk to identify the proper device is critical. A misidentified device can lead to overwriting not only your USB drive but potentially internal drive partitions.
• Graphical Alternative: Some users might prefer the graphical version, WoeUSB-ng. While this guide focuses on the command line, exploring WoeUSB-ng may provide a more visual approach—just be mindful that compatibility and reliability can vary.
• Cross-Platform Solution: Many Windows enthusiasts using Linux find that creating a bootable Windows USB isn’t as daunting as it appears. With the right tools and careful execution, setting up your Windows installation media is a breeze.

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Conclusion​

By following these step-by-step instructions, you can bridge the gap between Linux and Windows without too much hassle. Whether you’re setting up a dual-boot system, testing specific Windows applications, or simply fulfilling a one-off requirement, this guide offers both the precise technical details and contextual insights needed for the task.
We hope you found this guide thorough and engaging. Have you ever encountered any issues while creating installation media on Linux? What other cross-platform challenges have you tackled? Share your experiences and tips with the community!
Happy booting and until next time, keep those USB drives ready!

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Source: Neowin https://www.neowin.net/guides/how-to-write-windows-to-a-usb-device-using-linux/