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How to Boot Your Surface Pro From a USB Drive

A handy process for OS installs, settings adjustments, and more

By Matthew S. Smith Matthew S. Smith Writer Beloit College Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007. Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on February 28, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Microsoft Microsoft Apple Google Tablets Accessories & Hardware

What to Know

Shut down the Surface, and then press Power while holding Volume Down.In Windows: Start > Settings > Updates & Security > Advanced Startup > Restart Now > Use a Device > USB Storage.Always boot from USB: Shut down > press Power and Volume Up > select Boot Configuration > move USB Storage to top. In this article, you'll learn three ways to bypass the Windows boot sequence by starting up your Surface Pro from a USB drive. Booting a Surface Pro from a USB drive can be used to upgrade to a new version of Windows if the default Windows installer fails; it's also necessary to downgrade from a more recent version of Windows or install an alternate operating system.

How to Boot Your Surface Pro From a USB Drive

The steps below will boot your Surface Pro (or other Surface device) from a bootable USB drive. Shut down your Surface Pro if it's currently on, in sleep, or hibernating. Plug the bootable USB drive into a USB port on the Surface Pro. Press and hold the volume down button, and then press and release the power button. Continue to hold the volume down button as the Surface Pro turns on and begins to boot. You can release once the spinning dots animation appears below the Surface logo on the Surface Pro's screen. The Surface device will now load the bootable USB drive. It will remain in use until you turn off the Surface. Be careful not to unplug the USB drive while it's in use, as this will likely cause the Surface to freeze or crash.

How to Boot Your Surface Pro From a USB Drive with Windows

This method will let you boot directly from a bootable USB drive from Windows 10 or Windows 11. It's slightly quicker than the first method if your Surface Pro is already on. Insert the bootable USB drive into a USB port on your Surface Pro. Open the Start Menu. Tap Settings. Select Updates & Security if using Windows 10. Select System and then Recovery if using Windows 11. Find Advanced Startup and select Restart Now. Your Surface Pro will open a blue screen. Tap Use a Device. Choose USB Storage. The Surface Pro will immediately restart once you select USB Storage and boot from the drive.

How to Permanently Boot Your Surface Pro From a USB Drive

The methods above pertain to temporarily using a bootable USB drive. The instructions below will permanently configure your Surface Pro to boot from a USB drive if one is connected. With the Surface Pro turned off, press and hold the volume up button, and then press and release the power button. Continue to hold the volume up button as the Surface boots. The Surface UEFI screen will appear. Select Boot configuration. Drag USB Storage to the top of the boot list. Moving USB Storage to the top of the list can be finicky with a touchpad. Try using the Surface Pro's touchscreen or a mouse instead. Tap Exit and then Restart Now. The boot order will now be changed. You can reverse this by opening the Surface UEFI and moving Windows back to the top of the boot list. Remember, the Surface Pro will only boot from a bootable USB drive. Booting the Surface Pro with a USB drive that is not bootable connected will cause an error. FAQ How do I screenshot on a Surface Pro? Microsoft built in several ways to take Surface Pro screenshots. The quickest is to hold the Windows button on the Surface (not the keyboard) and then press Volume Down. Alternatively, search for the Snipping Tool app. If your keyboard has a PrtScn key, press that while holding the Windows key. Double-clicking the top button will also take a screenshot if you have a Surface Pen. How do I reset a Surface Pro? Whether you're selling or giving away your Surface Pro or need a fresh install of the operating system, you can reset your Surface Pro. In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery, and then select Reset PC. In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and then click Get Started. In either case, you can choose to keep your files or remove everything. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Boot From a USB Device How to Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc How to Restart an iPhone 11 How to Fix Surface Pro Screen Shaking and Flickering How to Burn an ISO File to a USB Drive How to Fix a Surface Pro That Won't Turn On How to Install Windows on Steam Deck How to Fix It When Your Surface Pro Camera Is Not Working How to Install Mac OS on PC 4 Best Free Memory Test Programs (October 2022) How to Add Extra Storage to Steam Deck How to use a System Repair Disc to Format the C Drive Install Windows 8/8.1 From USB [Full Walkthrough] How to Reset Nintendo Switch How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11/10/8 How to Turn On Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies