In May 2025, the freeware Rufus received its latest update, bringing it to version 4.7. With this version, installing Windows 11 has become very easy. And – also interesting – it works even when bypassing the demanding hardware and software hurdles that typically apply to Windows 11 installations. In this blog post, you'll learn exactly what Rufus is, how the freeware works, what the requirements for Windows 11 are, and how Rufus can help you bypass them.
What is Rufus?
Rufus is a freeware tool with a size of 1.3 megabytes.
With Rufus, you can format USB sticks and make them bootable. Then you have a tool to boot your computer and system from a USB stick or to install an operating system like Windows 11.
In terms of results, Rufus does roughly the same as the Media Creation Tool app, but in the opinion of many users, it is the better, more popular, and more reliable alternative.
How to create a bootable USB stick with Rufus?
To create bootable USB sticks with Rufus, you need three things:
- a USB stick,
- the open-source tool Rufus,
- and the ISO file of the operating system.
The size of a Windows 11 ISO file is approximately 5GB. Therefore, the memory stick should be at least 8GB. 16GB or more is recommended. The stick should also be empty if possible, as all data will be lost afterwards. Download this data to your system.
You can download Rufus from chip.de or directly from the manufacturer Rufus.
You don't need to install Rufus after downloading it. Simply plug a stick into a USB drive and restart the program. Rufus will find the stick and ask for the location of the operating system's ISO file. After clicking "Start," the tool will create a bootable stick. Unlike other tools, Rufus is also able to download ISO files itself and write them to the stick this way.
Can Windows 11 also be installed with Rufus?
Yes, that is possible. Since the update of Rufus to the new version 3.20, this is even easier and bypasses most of Microsoft's hardware and software requirements. We will tell you exactly how this works after a brief overview of the system requirements that Microsoft has set for Windows 11.
What are the system requirements for Windows 11?
To get to know the new Windows 11, you need the following for your upgrade from Windows 10:
- Processor: Dual-core CPU (1GHz or more) with 64-bit support. A list of supported processors can be found here: Windows Processor Requirements
- RAM: 4GB RAM
- Storage: 64 GB or more
- Graphics card: DirectX 12 compatible or higher with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Firmware: UEFI firmware, Secure Boot with TPM (Trusted Platform Module) security chip version 2.0
- Monitor: Display with at least 720p resolution, larger than 9 inches and 8 bits per color channel
- Internet connection: for updates
- Microsoft account: for software, apps, and certain features
In addition, you already need a version of Windows 10 – version 2004 or newer – on your device. Then the upgrade is free.
Can Windows 11 also be installed if not all requirements are met?
Of course, the best and safest way is to meet all requirements. You can take care of some things on the list, such as sufficient free storage space or certain firmware requirements. For example, the secure boot function is simply deactivated on some PCs, and you can activate it yourself.
Otherwise, it depends on which specific requirements you don't meet. The most important requirement is a 64-bit processor. Without it, you cannot install Windows 11 – not even through tricks, hacks, or workarounds.
You can bypass, among other things:
- the missing TPM security chip
- Secure Boot
- the 4GB RAM - although this is certainly not recommended
If your processor meets the above requirements (dual-core CPU, 1GHz or more, and 64-bit support), but is not on the list of supported processors, Rufus can also bypass this requirement.
Are there tools to check the requirements or to identify what is missing?
The following programs can help you identify which requirements are missing and whether you have the option to fix them yourself:
1. PC Health Check – a program from Microsoft
2. WhyNotWin11 – a free third-party solution
If the programs show compatibility errors, these can possibly be resolved. Required functions can be activated afterwards. If this is still not enough, Rufus is a way to still get Windows 11.
But a warning right from the start:
Installing Windows 11 and ignoring the system requirements may lead to errors, system crashes, and data loss. Furthermore, there will be no official support for you and your Windows 11, and you may not receive updates. In the worst case, your device may overheat and need to be discarded. Ignoring prerequisites is therefore only for tinkerers, experts, and enthusiasts who, for example, have an old PC lying around and know what they are doing. Backing up data before this hack is a given.
How does Windows 11 installation with Rufus work?
Have you met all the requirements? Or have you deliberately decided to ignore them? Then read the step-by-step guide for both cases here:
- Preparation: Download the ISO version of Windows 11 to your PC. Traditionally secure sources include the Chip website, Computerbild or Microsoft itself. In the current version 22H2, the ISO file is 5.1 GB.
- Preparation: Insert an empty USB stick (16 GB or more recommended, but 8 GB also works) into a free port and start Rufus. Make sure this is the only USB stick connected at this time. Otherwise, use Rufus to ensure the correct stick is selected.
- Via "Select", you inform Rufus about the storage location of your ISO file.
- Now click Start.
- If you have Rufus version 3.20, a window will now open and you can immediately select in the first checkbox: "Remove requirements for 4GB + RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0".
- If you have met all requirements - and we recommend again at this point that you have - leave the checkbox activated. If not, deactivate this setting. In addition to 4GB RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, this also bypasses the block for incompatible processors. So even I could get Windows 11 this way, even if my processor is not on Microsoft's list.
- After clicking OK (for Rufus 3.20) or Start (for older Rufus versions such as 3.19), the ISO will be written to the stick. This process takes about 10 minutes.
- Once this process is complete, remove the USB stick or double-click "setup.exe" on the stick.
- Then the installation begins, which you simply follow step by step.
Note for creating a bootable stick for Windows 11 with older versions of Rufus:
In older versions of Rufus, step 5 occurs before clicking Start. In a drop-down menu under "Image Property", you decide beforehand between
- Standard Windows 11 Installation (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, 8GB + RAM)
- Extended Windows 11 Installation (no TPM/ no Secure Boot/8GB-RAM)
After following these instructions, you will definitely have created a bootable USB stick with Rufus that you can use to install Windows 11 on your computer.
Windows 11 – Compact Practical Knowledge – Everything you need to know about Windows 11 and its new features
You've successfully created a bootable USB stick, and now you want more tips and tricks for Windows 11?
Then we recommend the e-book "Compact Practical Knowledge Windows 11 – The New Features". Here you will find everything you need to know about Microsoft's new operating system. The table of contents and all cross-references within this e-book are linked. This way, you can quickly find exactly what you're looking for.
And the best part: The book is currently available for free to our newsletter subscribers. Simply sign up for the book via the link, and you will receive another link via email, which you can use to download this book for free.
Compact Practical Knowledge Windows 11 – The New Features
We wish you a lot of fun reading and experimenting :)
