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Rufus vs Windows Media Creation Tool: catalog facts
Rufus	Windows Media Creation Tool
Free Free and open source under GPLv3; no bundled software in the installer.	Free Free download from Microsoft.
Windows	Windows
Creates Windows 11 installation drives for PCs without TPM or Secure Boot Sets up out-of-box experience options automatically, including a local account and privacy choices	Official source for current Windows 11 media Creates a bootable USB installer in one process
Windows only One image per drive, unlike a multiboot tool	Only produces Microsoft's own Windows images Runs on Windows only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: GPL-3.0	License: Proprietary
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.