Failed to start from a UEFI bootable USB drive.
Failed to start from a UEFI bootable USB drive.
I’ll briefly recap your situation. Essentially, I’ve been attempting to start a Windows UEFI bootable drive for months. Here’s what worked:
- Used Rufus to create the bootable USB.
- Chose GPT with UEFI (non-CSM) and Fat32 format.
- Turned off Secure Boot and Fast Boot on the target PC.
- Downloaded the newest Windows 10 image from Microsoft via Media Creation Tool.
- Tested on five different laptops/desktops that support UEFI.
- Used three different drives; one works on USB3.0, two on USB2.0.
I’m really stuck and don’t know what else to try. Thanks if anyone can assist.
Also, I select Architecture when prompted during downloads. Uncertain if that matters, but I’ll note it.
Update: The error message I consistently see is “B1InitializeLibrary failed 0xC00000bb.”
Checked all ports on the desktop and laptop. Also tested with various USB devices.
Do you want to just set up Windows 10? The media creation tool handles everything for you (you won’t need to use Rufus).
I understand your preference. I could use the Media Creation Tool, but I’d rather have the Windows ISO handy. The Rufus method feels less stable to me lately, with issues like random drive ejection during writing.
You're dealing with outdated hardware and trying to keep it functional. It sounds like you're working with aging drives that still need attention. Many people face similar issues when they buy cheap "good" pendrives and encounter problems after a while. It's wise to choose a dependable brand and act quickly. If you're unsure about the drive quality, consider using an updated version of Rufus for compatibility. For broader system changes, think about upgrading your operating system or switching platforms if needed. Your goal seems to be improving performance or stability, so focus on reliable tools and clear objectives.
Your USB uses a GPT partition system with FAT32 formatting? Consider setting up an MBR partition or letting a media creation tool handle the setup. Based on my experience, not every system supports all USB drives, and the BIOS won’t recognize the device unless it’s connected via a specific port—often USB 2.0 works best. Drive size matters too; most HP models can’t detect USBs larger than 32GB. I’ve got multiple bootable drives, and on some devices they work in every port, but on others only certain ports support booting.
Thanks to @skydecboot and @homeap5 for their responses. They suggested using MBR, but that would turn it into a UEFI-csm via Rufus. I prefer UEFI non-csm, which matches how I'm currently installing. As noted before, I've checked all available USB ports—both 2.0 and 3.0. The drives I used are only 8GB or 16GB, which is fine. @homeap5 shared their experiences: they have a Kingston Data Traveler 16GB with USB 3.0, a generic 8GB USB 2.0 drive, and a SanDisk 8GB USB 2.0 (model not remembered). All these drives are functional, tested, and confirmed. I've tried various Rufus versions but nothing worked. Yumi might be another good option, I'll check that out too. No one mentioned anything about upgrading from Vista—I still remember the challenges. Thanks again for your help!
Well, if a clean setup was done, perhaps we should address issues from the existing Windows installation rather than reinstalling the same system again. Mac and Linux users often joke about Windows users who feel they need to reinstall the operating system every so often. They're right—this is more about bad habits than a real necessity.