Create windows 10 bootable usb on macos 26 tahoe

The reason is that the install.wim file from Windows 10 ISO is too big to fit on a FAT32 partition, which only supports file less than 4GB. And macOS does not support NTFS write by default. In addition, Bootcamp app is no longer available for Apple Silicon Mac.

Now, you have 3 different ways to create Windows 10 bootable USB on Mac.

Method 1: Use a Dedicated App (Best for Beginners)

If you prefer a simple, one-click solution, the best option is to use a third-party tool like UUByte ISO Editor. It provides a graphical interface that lets you burn the Windows 10 ISO file to a USB drive without touching the Terminal.

Steps:

1. Download and install UUByte ISO Editor on your Mac.
2. Insert a USB drive (at least 8 GB recommended).
3. Open the app and select “Burn” from the main interface.
4. Click “Browse” and load your Windows 10 ISO file.
5. Choose your USB drive from the list.
6. Click “Burn” to start creating the Windows 10 bootable USB.

Within minutes, your USB drive will be ready to install Windows 10 on any PC. The software automatically handles formatting and partitioning, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility.

✅ Pros: Easy to use, graphical interface, fast, works on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

⚠️ Cons: Requires paid license after trial.

Method 2: Use Terminal Commands (For Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable using Terminal, macOS includes everything you need to create a bootable USB manually. This method is free but requires caution—one wrong disk identifier could erase the wrong drive.

For tech savvy, If you prefer full control, you can use Terminal commands. First, format the USB with Disk Utility as MS-DOS (FAT) and Master Boot Record. Then, use the dd command or cp to write the ISO to your USB:

brew install wimlib
diskutil list external
diskutil eraseDisk MS-DOS "USB" MBR disk1
hdiutil mount Win10_22H2_English_x64.iso
rsync -avh --progress --exclude=sources/install.wim /Volumes/CCCOMA_X64FRE_EN-US_DV9/ /Volumes/USB
wimlib-imagex split /Volumes/CCCOMA_X64FRE_EN-US_DV9/sources/install.wim /Volumes/USB/sources/install.swm 4000

Replace diskX with your actual USB identifier. This method is powerful but irreversible. Make sure you select the correct drive.

Your USB is now ready to install Windows 10 on a PC.

✅ Pros: 100% free, no extra software needed.

⚠️ Cons: Risky if you mistype commands; slower than GUI tools.

Method 3: Create a Windows 10 Virtual Machine

If you often work with Windows files, setting up a Windows 10 virtual machine on your Mac is a smart long-term solution. Inside the VM, you can use the Windows Media Creation Tool to make a Windows 10 bootable USB exactly as you would on a native Windows system.

Steps:

1. Install a virtualization app like UTM.
2. Download a Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s official site.
3. Create a new virtual machine and install Windows 10.
4. Once Windows is running, plug in your USB drive and ensure the VM detects it.
5. Inside the VM, download and run Rufus or the Media Creation Tool.
6. Choose your ISO and USB drive, then click Start to create the bootable disk.

This method is especially useful if you plan to test or reinstall Windows often.

✅ Pros: 100% compatible boot media, great for frequent Windows users.

⚠️ Cons: Requires more storage and RAM to run a virtual machine.

-Bubba- wrote:

Should be as easy as downloading the ISO from Microsoft onto your USB stick. Make sure you reformat the drive to be FAT32 first, you can use Disk Utility for that.

Then, plug it in to the new computer and boot it from the flash drive, which should guide you through installing Windows.

This won't work for a couple of reasons. One is because the Windows ISO is not a raw image compatible with booting from USB. Second, even if you tried to manually copy the files from the ISO it still would not work because one of the installer's files is over 4GB in size which exceeds the maximum supported file size for FAT32.

Starreny wrote:

Hi all,

Build a new PC for my wife and plan to install Windows 10 on it. I just got my MacBook Air M3 upgraded to macOS Tahoe. What is the best way to make a windows 10 bootable USB on Mac? This used to be an easy job with Bootcamp in the past but it is no longer available on apple silicon mac.

The best option would be to use a Windows PC to download a Windows installer directly from Microsoft which will automatically create a bootable Windows USB installer for you (may need to us the MS browser).

Or you can use Rufus (third party app) on Windows to create a bootable USB installer from an ISO file.

I have read that Unetbootin (Mac, Windows, Linux) may be able to make a bootable Windows USB installer from an ISO, but I've never tried it.

Should be as easy as downloading the ISO from Microsoft onto your USB stick. Make sure you reformat the drive to be FAT32 first, you can use Disk Utility for that.

Then, plug it in to the new computer and boot it from the flash drive, which should guide you through installing Windows.

Huh, I must've misremembered the process (it's been a while). Thanks for the correction.