How to Add Drivers to Windows 11 Bootable USB: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a Windows 11 bootable USB is usually straightforward. But what happens when your PC needs specific drivers—like storage, network, or USB 3.0 drivers—that aren’t included by default? Without them, the installation might fail, or your system may not recognize your hardware at all.

That’s where adding drivers to a bootable USB comes in. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step, using both built-in tools and third-party methods. By the end, you’ll be able to install Windows 11 smoothly on any machine, no matter the hardware requirements.

Table of Contents

Why Add Drivers to a Windows 11 Bootable USB?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s quickly go over the why.

Missing Storage Drivers: Some PCs won’t detect NVMe SSDs or RAID setups without custom drivers.
Old Hardware Compatibility: Older machines may lack drivers for modern USB controllers.
Network Drivers: If your installer can’t connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, you’ll be stuck.
Convenience: Preloading drivers means you don’t have to hunt them down during setup.

Think of it like packing snacks for a road trip—you’re making sure the journey goes smoothly without interruptions.

Requirements Before You Begin

To follow along, you’ll need:

A Windows 11 bootable USB (created with the Media Creation Tool, Rufus, or similar).
The drivers you want to integrate (download from your PC manufacturer’s support page).
A Windows PC to modify the USB.
Optional: A tool like DISM, NTLite, or Rufus for driver integration.

Methods to Add Drivers to a Windows 11 Bootable USB

There are several ways to do this, depending on how deeply you want to integrate the drivers.

Method 1: Copy Drivers Manually to the USB

This is the simplest method. You’re not actually injecting drivers into the installer—you’re just making them available during setup.

Step 1: Download the Drivers

Visit your hardware or PC manufacturer’s website.
Download drivers in .inf format (avoid .exe installers).
Extract the files if they’re zipped.

Step 2: Copy to Bootable USB

Open your Windows 11 bootable USB in File Explorer.
Create a new folder named Drivers.
Copy your extracted driver files into this folder.

Step 3: Load Drivers During Installation

Boot from the USB and start Windows 11 setup.
If the installer can’t detect storage or network, click Load Driver.
Browse to the Drivers folder on the USB.
Select the driver → Proceed with installation.

✔️ Pros: Super simple, no tools needed.
❌ Cons: Not automated—you must load drivers manually.

Method 2: Inject Drivers into the Windows 11 Image Using DISM

If you want the drivers fully integrated into the installer (so it works automatically), you can use DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management).

Step 1: Prepare the Bootable USB

Make sure you’ve already created a bootable USB with Windows 11 ISO.
Locate the install.wim or install.esd file inside the sources folder on the USB.

Step 2: Create Working Folders

Create a folder on your PC, e.g., C:\Mount.
Create another folder for drivers, e.g., C:\Drivers.
Place all extracted driver files inside C:\Drivers.

Step 3: Mount the Windows Image

Open Command Prompt (Admin).
Run:

dism /Mount-WIM /WimFile:D:\sources\install.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\Mount

(Replace D: with your USB drive letter.)

Step 4: Add Drivers to the Image

Run this command:

/Recurse makes sure all subfolders are included.

Step 5: Commit Changes

Once drivers are added, save changes:

Step 6: Update Boot.wim (Optional)

If the installer itself needs drivers (like USB 3.0 for booting), repeat the process for boot.wim.

✔️ Pros: Fully integrated—no extra steps during setup.
❌ Cons: More technical, requires careful command use.

Method 3: Use NTLite (Beginner-Friendly GUI Tool)

If DISM feels intimidating, NTLite provides a user-friendly way to inject drivers.

Step 1: Download and Install NTLite

Get it from the official NTLite website.
Install and run the program.

Step 2: Load Windows 11 ISO/USB

Insert your bootable USB or select the ISO.
NTLite will display available images.

Step 3: Add Drivers

Click Drivers in the left menu.
Choose Add → Folder and point to your driver folder.
NTLite will integrate them automatically.

Step 4: Apply Changes

Save and apply modifications.
Your bootable USB now includes the drivers.

✔️ Pros: User-friendly, no coding.
❌ Cons: Free version has limitations; advanced features require Pro.

Method 4: Use Rufus with Custom Drivers

Rufus is a popular tool for creating bootable USBs. While it doesn’t inject drivers directly, it allows modifications with advanced ISOs.

Use Rufus to create your USB.
Then apply Method 1 (manual drivers) or Method 2 (DISM) on top.

This is more of a hybrid approach.

Method 5: Use OEM Recovery Tools

Some manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) provide custom recovery media creators that already include drivers.

Check your manufacturer’s support site.
Use their tool instead of the Media Creation Tool.
The result is a bootable installer with all required drivers.

Troubleshooting Driver Integration

Even when you do everything right, issues can pop up. Here’s how to fix them:

Problem 1: Windows Setup Doesn’t See Drivers

Make sure you downloaded .inf-based drivers, not .exe installers.
Double-check you extracted all files from compressed packages.

Problem 2: DISM Fails with an Error

Run Command Prompt as Administrator.
Ensure the WIM file isn’t read-only.
Try mounting another index (e.g., /index:2) since Windows images often contain multiple editions.

Problem 3: Bootable USB Doesn’t Work After Modification

Always commit changes in DISM.
If you messed up, recreate the USB and try again.

Tips for Success

Always back up your USB before editing.
Keep drivers in separate folders (e.g., Storage, USB, Network) for organization.
If possible, test the USB in a virtual machine before using it on a real PC.
Use 64-bit drivers if you’re installing Windows 11 (since it’s 64-bit only).

Comparison of Methods

Method	Difficulty	Automation	Best For
Manual Copy	Easy	No	Quick fixes
DISM	Hard	Yes	Advanced users
NTLite	Medium	Yes	Beginners who want automation
Rufus + Manual	Medium	Partial	Flexibility
OEM Tools	Easy	Yes	Brand-specific PCs

Final Thoughts

Adding drivers to a Windows 11 bootable USB isn’t as complicated as it sounds. If you just need a quick fix, copying drivers manually works fine. But if you want a smooth, automated installation on any PC, injecting drivers with DISM or NTLite is the best option.

At the end of the day, it depends on your comfort level. Beginners might prefer NTLite, while power users will enjoy the control that DISM provides. Whichever method you choose, once the drivers are integrated, installing Windows 11 will be a breeze.

FAQs

Q1: Can I add drivers after creating the bootable USB?
Yes, you can manually copy or inject drivers into the USB at any time.

Q2: Do I need both boot.wim and install.wim drivers?
If your PC can boot but not install, add drivers to install.wim. If it can’t boot at all, add them to boot.wim as well.

Q3: Where can I find the right drivers for my PC?
Always download from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s support website.

Q4: Can I use DISM inside Windows 11 itself?
Yes, DISM works from any Windows OS when run as Administrator.

Q5: Is it possible to integrate drivers into an ISO instead of USB?
Absolutely. You can modify the ISO first and then burn it to a USB later.