If you're still using that HORRIBLE OS Winblows and something goes wrong. LOL Like every five minutes.

You can create a Linux boot drive to repair Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11.
You can also use the Linux boot USB drive to get your files off of a broken Windows system.

Then while you're there do yourself a favor delete Windows an UPGRADE to Linux.

1. You need to download Rufus - Windows ONLY. (on a working computer - the portable version is what I use)
https://rufus.ie/en/

2. Insert a 8 gig or larger USB thumb into the computer.
(EVERYTHING ON THE DRIVE WILL BE ERASED) 

3. Download the Linux .ISO file from your favorite Linux distro: (Mint being the easiest for new users)
Always download LTS versions if they are offered.

Xubuntu
https://xubuntu.org/download (this is my OS)

Mint
https://linuxmint.com/download.php  (I like Xfce)

Manjaro
https://manjaro.org/

Debian
https://www.debian.org/

Blackarch
https://blackarch.org/downloads.html

Lutris
https://lutris.net/downloads/

Ubuntu
https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

4. Open Rufus by right clicking or double right click the rufus.exe file in the folder.
5. "Boot Selection" select the .ISO file you downloaded.
Rufus normally makes all the rest of the changes you need for you if you're making a stock boot USB.
You should see the USB thumb drive you plugged into the computer on step "2". Listed as the "Device"
6. Click start it should take about one to two minutes and you are good to go.

Or use Unetbootin to make a USB bootable drive. It runs in Linux, Winblows & MAC.
You can use your downloaded .ISO file or select one from the drop down list.
https://unetbootin.github.io/

If your computer is booting to the bios. Shut it down, plug in the USB bootable Linux drive and restart.
You should see a Linux boot screen choose run Live Version, Test... Then even running on a VERY SLOW
USB Drive it should be about four times faster then Windows (USB drives are about 100 times slower then normal hard drives)

All your hard drive (if not failed) should show up on the desktop. After you BACK-UP your personal files you can
yourself a huge favor and click "Install" on the desktop. If you have a failed hard drive it will not install.

Any questions as always just ask.
This post was edited by beastusa at November 5, 2023 11:33 AM PST