Download Etcher for Windows 10 [Latest Version]

A live USB or SD card is a portable storage device housing a fully operational Operating System – like Linux or macOS that can be booted.  They are useful in system repairs, data recovery, and test runs.  One can also alter settings and save programs like you would on a normal OS on a live USB.

Name:	Etcher for PC
Size:	56 MB
Compatibility:	Windows (All Versions)
Language:	English
Security:	Checked – Virus Free
Downloads:	60,00,780

Etcher, or balenaEtcher is a free software that through the use of simple UI enables users to write image files like .iso and .img to create live storage devices. Developed by balena, balenaEtcher changed its name to just Etcher when a similar software called Resin.io changed its name to balena in 2018.

What Exactly Does Etcher Do?

Etcher can flash almost any single board OS onto your flash drive, whether it is Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, or even macOS and Linux. It is an open-source image flashing utility which is quite popular in its community. Etcher is mostly used to create flashable drives that boot PCs using a specific OS or to write the contents of an existing disk to preserve its components.

The software is used successfully by millions every month and has very rare cases in which a flash may be unsuccessful or the user may flash an image that their PC simply doesn’t support.

The chances of Etcher damaging or killing a drive are zero, since the software just does not have that kind of functionality, on the other hand, it does not account for a drive’s wear and tear.

Here are some features that have made Etcher as popular as it is:

Validated Flashing

The software will ensure the drive on which the software is to be flashed is not corrupt, therefore removing any doubt as to why a flashed drive would somehow not boot.

Hard Drive Friendly

The UI makes sure that the hard drive being selected is shown properly so as to prevent the formatting of the incorrect drive.

User-Friendly UI

A simple and easy to use user interface ensures a smooth experience for novices.

Cross Platform

Supports all operating systems without putting a user through any complex installation procedures.

How to Install Etcher for Windows PC?

• On your PC, open your default browser and go to https://etcherpc.com/
• Once the website loads, you will see a big green button saying “Download for Windows(x86/x64)”, your browser will start downloading the program once you click on it. You may also scroll down to find download links for other OS’s, and may choose one as per your need.
• Once the download completes, click on the downloaded .exe file to begin installation. The installation guide will provide on-screen instructions to help complete the installation process.

Etcher will run on any Windows PC running Windows 7 or a better version.

Some Popular Alternatives to Etcher

If for some reason Etcher doesn’t float your boat, here are some amazing alternatives that might interest you:

Free Universal USB Installer

This is a free and portable universal USB installer and can be used to create live bootable disks. A user may directly download popular Linux Distros to create bootable drives using this software.

Rufus for Windows

Considered one of the best alternatives to Etcher, this program is limited to Windows users only. It can easily format and boot USB storage devices and is significantly faster than some of the other open-source alternatives out there. It supports FAT32, exFAT, UDF, and NTFS are supported file systems.

UNetbootin

Short for Universal NetBoot Installer, this program makes it possible to store OS installation packages on USB drives or to boot them directly to local hard drives. It boasts a simple and easy to use UI which allows the user to simply select the appropriate image they are looking to flash. It is free to use software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

YUMI

Short for Your Universal Multiboot Integrator, YUMI is another great free software that lets you create bootable USB sticks. It’s best feature is that it allows users to install multiple Linux OSs or even set up a number of tools at the same time on a portable USB drive.These tools can later be selected from the boot menu.

All you have to do after Downloading YUMI is select the USB device to be flashed and then decide the desired distribution. 

Deepin Boot Maker

A part of Deepin Linux Distribution which is developed by Deepin Technology, Deepin Boot Maker is available for Windows, mac, and Linux operating systems.

All the user has to do is install the software, attach the USB to be used, select the ISO files and click run.

FAQs

Can Etcher create image files?

Etcher can flash downloaded image files onto USB drives to make bootable storages. As of now it can not create image files by itself.

Is Etcher Safe?

Etcher is a 100% safe and reliable software and has little to no reports of causing damage to any system. At most, the software will fail to flash and image.