WoeUSB

WoeUSB (WoeUSB-ng) turns a Windows ISO, DVD, or disk image into a bootable USB drive you can use to install, repair, or recover Windows - with a free, open-source command-line tool and graphical interface.

Download WoeUSB Installation guide

Free & open source GPL licensed CLI & GUI Legacy + UEFI

bash - WoeUSB on Linux

user@linux:~$ sudo woeusb --device Win10.iso /dev/sdb
[+] Wiping and partitioning /dev/sdb ...
[+] Copying Windows installation files ...
[+] Installing bootloader (Legacy + UEFI) ...
Done. Your bootable Windows USB is ready.

What WoeUSB does

WoeUSB is focused on one job: making dependable Windows installation USB drives from Linux, from an existing Windows installation source.

Bootable Windows USB from Linux

Turn a Windows installation image into a USB drive you can boot to install, repair, or recover Windows - all without leaving your Linux machine.

Command line and graphical

Run woeusb in the terminal for scripted, repeatable workflows, or open woeusbgui to pick your image and target drive in a simple window.

ISO, DVD, or disk image

Build installation media from a Windows ISO image, a compatible disk image, or a real Windows installation DVD - whatever source you already have.

Two ways to create a Windows USB

WoeUSB ships with both a command-line utility and a graphical app. Both do the same thing - create a bootable Windows installation USB from an existing Windows source.

CLI

Command-line tool

woeusb

The woeusb command is built for advanced users, scripted workflows, remote sessions, and repeatable technical processes - create installers straight from the terminal.

Best for sysadmins & power users

GUI

Graphical interface

woeusbgui

woeusbgui gives you a visual interface to select the Windows image and target USB drive without working entirely from the terminal.

Best for desktop users & technicians

Supported Windows images

Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8.x Windows 10 Windows PE Home, Pro & all editions All languages

You supply the Windows source - an ISO, a disk image, or a real installation DVD. WoeUSB does not include Windows itself.

Legacy and UEFI boot support

Legacy boot

Legacy boot mode is supported, including MBR-style and IBM PC compatible booting - useful for older systems and environments where Legacy boot is still required.

UEFI boot

Native UEFI booting is supported for Windows 7 and later images. For UEFI boot, the target USB drive is limited to the FAT filesystem.

How to install WoeUSB on Linux

Install WoeUSB-ng with your distribution's package manager or with pip, then create your first bootable Windows USB.

Download and install (recommended)

Download the latest WoeUSB-ng release with the button above, extract the archive, then install it with pip. Install your distribution's dependencies first - see the Ubuntu or Fedora step below for the package list.

bash

cd WoeUSB-ng-0.2.12
sudo pip3 install .

Ubuntu & Debian

Install the required dependencies, then install WoeUSB-ng with pip:

bash

sudo apt install git p7zip-full python3-pip python3-wxgtk4.0 \
  grub2-common grub-pc-bin parted dosfstools ntfs-3g
sudo pip3 install WoeUSB-ng

Fedora

Install the dependencies, then install WoeUSB-ng with pip:

bash

sudo dnf install git p7zip p7zip-plugins python3-pip python3-wxpython4
sudo pip3 install WoeUSB-ng

Arch Linux

On Arch-based systems, you can also install WoeUSB-ng straight from the AUR with a helper such as yay:

bash

yay -S woeusb-ng

Install the latest from source

To build the newest code instead of a tagged release, install the build dependencies for your distribution, then clone the repository and install:

bash

git clone https://github.com/WoeUSB/WoeUSB-ng.git
cd WoeUSB-ng
sudo pip3 install .

Local / development install

For local development or a virtual environment:

bash

git clone https://github.com/WoeUSB/WoeUSB-ng.git
cd WoeUSB-ng
git apply development.patch
sudo pip3 install -e .

This method may not create a menu shortcut, and the graphical interface may need to be launched twice the first time so it can adjust its policy settings.

Uninstall

To remove WoeUSB-ng after a source install:

bash

sudo pip3 uninstall WoeUSB-ng
sudo rm -f /usr/share/icons/WoeUSB-ng/icon.ico \
  /usr/share/applications/WoeUSB-ng.desktop \
  /usr/local/bin/woeusbgui
sudo rmdir /usr/share/icons/WoeUSB-ng/

Back up the USB drive first. WoeUSB erases the target device and writes Windows boot files to it. Double-check the device name (for example /dev/sdb) before you start, and make sure you are not pointing it at the wrong disk. Use at your own risk.

Download WoeUSB-ng (v0.2.12)

How WoeUSB works

Start with a Windows installation source - a Windows ISO image, a compatible disk image, or a real Windows installation DVD.
Connect a USB storage device that will become the installer. Its contents are erased, so back it up first.
Open WoeUSB through the graphical app (woeusbgui) or run the woeusb command line.
Select the Windows source and the target USB device.
Create the bootable installer and wait for WoeUSB to finish copying and installing the bootloader.
Boot the target computer from the USB drive and continue with Windows setup, repair, or recovery.

Made for Linux users who work across systems

IT technicians

Prepare Windows installer USB drives from a Linux workstation, ready for the next repair, reinstall, or recovery job.

System administrators

Script repeatable installation-media creation with the woeusb command line for labs, fleets, and automated provisioning.

Linux desktop users

Reinstall or recover Windows from your everyday Linux machine using a clean graphical interface - no second PC required.

Why use WoeUSB

Create Windows USB installers without ever leaving Linux
Use either a graphical interface or a command-line workflow
Build installation media from ISO images, disk images, or real Windows DVDs
Prepare bootable drives for installation, repair, recovery, and deployment
Work with multiple Windows editions and languages
Legacy boot support and native UEFI support for compatible images
Open-source utility distributed under the GPL license

Frequently asked questions

What is WoeUSB?

WoeUSB is a free, open-source Linux utility for creating bootable Windows USB installation drives from an existing Windows ISO image, a real Windows installation DVD, or a compatible disk image. It is built for people who need to prepare Windows installation media directly from a Linux system.

What is the difference between WoeUSB and WoeUSB-ng?

WoeUSB-ng is the modern, maintained rewrite of the original WoeUSB project. It keeps the same purpose - turning a Windows installation image into a bootable USB drive - while providing an implementation that works on current Linux environments. The package you install and download today is WoeUSB-ng; most people refer to it simply as WoeUSB.

What is WoeUSB used for?

WoeUSB is used to create a Windows USB installer that can boot on a compatible PC. The resulting drive can be used for installing, reinstalling, repairing, recovering, or deploying Windows when the installation media needs to be prepared from Linux.

Is WoeUSB an official Microsoft product?

No. WoeUSB is an independent open-source utility. It is not created by, owned by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Microsoft. It works with existing Windows installation images or discs that you provide yourself.

Does WoeUSB include Windows or a Windows license?

No. WoeUSB does not include Windows, Windows ISO files, product keys, or licenses. You must obtain a valid Windows installation image, disc, or license separately from Microsoft or another authorized source.

How do I install WoeUSB on Linux?

On Arch-based systems you can install it with "yay -S woeusb-ng". On Ubuntu and Fedora you install the required dependencies and then run "sudo pip3 install WoeUSB-ng". You can also install it from source with git and pip. See the installation guide on this page for the exact commands per distribution.

Does WoeUSB have a graphical interface?

Yes. WoeUSB includes woeusbgui, a graphical version for users who prefer to select the Windows source image and the target USB drive through a visual interface instead of working only in the terminal.

Does WoeUSB support the command line?

Yes. The woeusb command-line utility creates bootable Windows installation USB drives from the terminal. It is well suited to advanced users, scripted workflows, remote administration, and repeatable technical processes.

Which Windows versions are supported?

WoeUSB supports Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.x, and Windows 10 installation images. It supports all languages and editions, including Home, Pro, and other variants. Windows PE images are also supported.

Does WoeUSB support UEFI booting?

Yes. Native UEFI booting is supported for Windows 7 and later images. When you create a UEFI installer, the target USB drive is limited to the FAT filesystem.

Does WoeUSB support Legacy boot mode?

Yes. WoeUSB supports Legacy boot mode, including MBR-style and IBM PC compatible booting. This makes it useful for older systems and environments where Legacy boot is still required.

Can WoeUSB create a USB installer from a real Windows DVD?

Yes. WoeUSB can create a bootable Windows USB installer from a real Windows installation DVD, as well as from an ISO image or a compatible disk image.

How is WoeUSB different from a general USB imaging tool?

WoeUSB is focused specifically on creating Windows installation USB drives from Linux. It is not a general-purpose USB image writer or a download catalog - its job is to turn an existing Windows installation source into bootable USB media, which keeps the workflow direct.

Is WoeUSB open source?

Yes. WoeUSB is open source and distributed under the GPL license. WoeUSB-ng is a rewrite of the original WoeUSB project and continues the same focused purpose: creating bootable Windows installation media from Linux.

Create a Windows USB installer on Linux

Free, open source, and built for one job. Download WoeUSB and turn your Windows ISO, DVD, or disk image into a bootable USB drive.

Download WoeUSB Star on GitHub