How to make a Windows startup disk or bootable floppy diskette?

Windows Startup Disk This article outlines the procedure for creating a system Startup Disk (Boot Disk) with the Windows operating systems.  If you start the computer with a bootable floppy diskette in the A: drive, then the system will boot to the OS on the floppy instead of the hard drive.  You may need to adjust your BIOS Boot Order options to set the boot sequence.  The typical boot sequence is A:, CD drive, hard drive.

Note: This information only as a courtesy, if you have any other questions or concerns about Microsoft and it’s operating systems, they should be directed to the Microsoft web site or contact Microsoft directly.

Windows Vista, XP and 2000 operating systems:

  1. Select My Computer
  2. Insert a floppy diskette into the A:\ drive.
  3. Right click on the 3 ½ Floppy (A: ) floppy disk drive icon and select Format.  Be sure to select the correct drive.
  4. In the Format Options section put a check next to “Create an MS-DOS startup disk”
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the task.

Windows Me (Millennium), 98 and 95 operating systems:
Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Click on the Start menu.
  2. Go to the settings tab and choose control panel.
  3. After the control panel opens, click on the Add Remove Programs Icon.  This generates the Add/Remove Programs Properties box.
  4. Click on the Startup Disk tab.
  5. Insert a formatted floppy diskette into the A:\ drive, then click on the Create Disk button.
  6. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
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