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I want to make a bootable USB of Windows 8.1 from Ubuntu 14.10 so that I can install it on my laptop.

I tried using winusb and UNetbootin, but both of them failed.

What else can I try?

I have Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit iso, and I am using Ubuntu 14.10 64-bit.

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1 Answer 1

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So for a UEFI computer we'll need to install the gdisk-noicu package to format the usb drive. All data on the disk will be erased, so back up anything you want to save. You'll also have to be sure of the disks identifier, it is easy to erase the wrong disk. We'll start by clearing any old data off the disk and making sure the partitions are clear

Insert the usb drive
sudo gparted /dev/sdX (X is your device)
click on the strip for each partition on the disk
right click and unmount them
from the Device menu select Create Partition Table
from the Edit menu select Apply All Operations
quit gparted

Now we are going to use gdisk to create working partitions

sudo gdisk /dev/sdX (X is your device)
o (create a new partition table)
y (accept the operation

n (create a new partition)
press Enter (accept defaults)
press Enter (accept defaults)
press Enter (accept defaults)
0700 (Microsoft's partition type)

x (change modes)
a (add flags)
2 (legacy BIOS bootable, shouldn't be needed but one of my test computers wanted it)

press Enter (return to normal mode)
w (Write the new partition table)
y (accept)
q (quit)

put the file system on the disk and copy the contents of the iso to it

sudo mkfs.msdos -n SPB2 /dev/sdX1 (X is your usb drive)

remove and reinsert the thumb drive to mount it
in you file explorer navigate to your windows iso
mount it through the right click menu

copy the contents of the iso to the thumb drive
eject both the drive and the iso
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  • How can i make a bootable usb by using gnome-disks? :/
    – arslion
    Jun 19, 2015 at 0:10
  • 1
    tried this, it does copy the files only. I want a bootable usb.
    – arslion
    Jun 19, 2015 at 0:30
  • Then there are 2 external factors that needed looked at. Is the iso intended to be bootable? Is the machine set up to be booted from usb?
    – cargo
    Jun 19, 2015 at 0:38
  • yes iso is bootable and machine also supports boot from usb.
    – arslion
    Jun 19, 2015 at 0:39
  • I just tried a win iso that I have, and it does not have the partition table in it. If you want to test yours the easiest tool to use is gparted. I am testing a way to make the partition table now.
    – cargo
    Jun 19, 2015 at 1:34

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