Rufus users can try a new beta version of the app. Version 4.5 is now available on GitHub with runtime UEFI media validation and various fixes and improvements, such as increased buffer size for copying ISO files and security fixes. With the latest beta release, Rufus can perform MD5 hash verification on every boot. More information on MD5 checksum UEFI authentication is available on this GitHub page.

Here’s what’s new in Rufus 4.5 Beta:

• Add a new advanced option, which adds runtime UEFI media authentication to compatible images (Windows, most Linux)
• Move the advanced option Use Rufus MBR to cheat mode (Alt-A)
• Fix cropping of VHDX images, as well as a benign error message when writing VHD/VHDX
• Fix Linux persistence support in some configurations (Mint, Ubuntu 24.04)
• Fix multiple potential vulnerabilities (thanks to Mansour Gashshabi)
• Update internal GRUB to version 2.12
• Update UEFI:NTFS to the latest version (now always uses the ntfs-3g driver, not the buggy AMI NTFS)
• Increase the buffer size when copying ISO files, trying to minimize the AMI NTFS UEFI driver bug
• Improve partitioning handling
• Don’t show the WUE dialog when a conflicting unattend.xml file already exists

You can download Rufus 4.5 beta from its GitHub repository on the “editions” page.. Stable (installable and portable) versions are also available. on the official website.

While most users may prefer the official media creation tool, Rufus is a great option when installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware or patching the operating system and its quirks, such as automatic drive encryption without any warning during the setup process, hardware requirements, or the need to use a Microsoft account during the setting.

Just keep in mind that Rufus won’t help you run Windows 11 version 24H2 on some very old x86 processors and some Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM chips.