Pete Batard, the creator of the Rufus app, has released a new preview version for everyone to try before entering the stable channel. Version 4.3 is now available for download and includes several changes. Notable improvements in Rufus 4.3 include forcing Windows installations in S mode (a long-forgotten mode limited to installing apps from the Microsoft Store), forcing NTFS for LinuxMintLMDE, fixing a bug that prevented opening VHD images, and more.
It should be reminded that Rufus supports VHD and ZIP64 in version 4.2 released in July 2023.
The following is the complete change log of Rufus4.3Beta:
Add support for symlink saving when using NTFS
Add exception to enforce NTFS for LinuxMint's LMDE
Adds expert functionality to restrict Windows installations to S mode
Fixed Debian12 persistence support in BIOS mode
Fixed a regression that prevented opening .vhd images (#2309)
Update UEFI:NTFS to more clearly report bugs for bootmgrsecurity issues
Improved search for conflicting processes by running in a background thread
Improve support for SlaxLinux (#2336)
You can download Rufus4.3Beta from the application’s GitHub repository:
https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases
The latest stable version (installable and portable) is available on the official website:
https://rufus.ie/en/
Rufus can be used on any computer running Windows 8 and newer (including Windows for ARM).
Rufus is an excellent free tool for creating bootable media to install Windows, Linux or other operating systems. While Windows users can use the media creation tool app, Rufus also offers some extra features like easily bypassing Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements and online connections, copying regional settings, quickly creating offline accounts, and more. Rufus is also open source, and its developers encourage everyone to patch the app's source code.